Luke 21:10-19

content/bible_journal/luke_21:10-19.md

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+title = "Luke 21:10–19"
+date = "2023-01-30"
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+
+### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk21.10-19)
+
+Having said that the Day of the Lord will not be in the immediate future, Jesus
+gives more details about what kinds of things will happen before then. Wars,
+earthquakes, famines, and pestilences will sweep across the earth at various
+times. "Terrors and great signs from heaven" (_v. 11_) is an interesting
+phrase, and it may mean that these things will happen periodically before the
+end times too. If so, they are an expression of God's mercy, by giving people a
+chance to repent of their sins and follow Him before they are swept away in
+judgement.
+
+Before all these things, though, the followers of Jesus will be persecuted and
+handed over to the authorities. Jesus encourages His disciples by saying that
+He will give them the words to speak at that time, so that the rulers will have
+an opportunity to hear the Gospel as well. Whether the rulers repent and
+believe is not the disciples' concern, though, for some will and some won't.
+Some disciples will be set free, some will be beaten and imprisoned, and some
+will be put to death.
+
+And yet, Jesus says not one of them will perish. This only makes sense if there
+is life after death, and in this way Jesus has promised His followers that He
+will take care of them even through death, for it is not the end of them. Being
+faithful to Jesus is more important than preserving our own lives because our
+relationship with Him will last so much longer than the short time we have on
+this earth.
+
+* * *
+
+Give us the endurace to pursue You over our own self-interests.