Bold Predictions (Luke 21)
Journey with Jesus to the Cross (Friday, April 8)
Read Luke 21 
If so, it wasn’t the first time it happened. There are notorious stories throughout history of believers’ miscalculation of the signs surrounding Jesus’ return. How many of us recall, for example, the wild hand-wringing that occurred in some Christian corners as we entered the year 2000?
What are we to make of all this in the light of the extended teaching of Jesus recorded for us in Luke 21? Speaking for myself, I can’t read through this text without getting a bit squeamish. I have heard a lot of bold predictions and brash interpretations of these texts over the years. Some of them have embarrassed me (like the 88 Reasons booklet), and some of them have angered me.
For example, I have seen it used to justify international conflicts, for of course “nation will rise up against nation” in the end times. I have also seen it used to explain natural calamities such as earthquakes and famines. I never felt quite comfortable with a theology that made wars, famines and earthquakes somehow a good thing, for they precipitated Christ’s return.
How are we who take the scripture seriously to interpret difficult passages such as the ones we find here in Luke? Here are a few simple suggestions.
First, remember that apocalyptic literature (such as the kind we find in this passage) is highly symbolic. It is not always easy to interpret the symbols. Not everything is meant to be taken literally. And often prophetic statements only make sense after they are fulfilled, not before.
Second, because of this, we must always approach our interpretations with humility and grace. Scripture is inspired; our interpretations are not. We must never become more committed to our opinions than we are to Scripture itself.
Third, remember that prophetic Scripture often has multiple layers of meaning. We see this in the New Testament reinterpretation of Old Testament texts. They had one meaning at the time of their writing; but later, an additional meaning was discovered to be in the text.
With this in mind, while there is no doubt a future meaning to much of what Jesus said in Luke 21, it is also clear that much of it was fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple in A.D. 70. Many of the graphic descriptions in the text were literally accomplished during those dark days when Rome besieged Jerusalem. This is certainly the most natural understanding of Jesus’ warnings, since Jerusalem and its Temple already had an important place in his ministry.
These are only a few suggestions, worthy of greater reflection (which we will do when we reach this section of Scripture in Matthew -- all in good time!). But they are at least a step in the right direction, for they move us toward a down-to-earth approach to life (how can I partner with Jesus in bringing the kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven?”), rather than an escapist approach (this world doesn’t matter; just the souls of people do). And hopefully, they can prevent us from making predictions about the future which someday may sound rather silly. There's been enough of that already.
“Lord, give me wisdom as I interpret your teaching about the future. Help me to face its uncertainties with confidence, knowing that you have already won the victory and can be counted on to guide me through its uncertain terrain. In the meantime, teach me how to partner with you in bringing your kingdom 'on earth as it is in heaven.'"