Living Ready for His Return

Luke 21:25–28
"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."

Introduction: Context and Background
The disciples had walked with Jesus for over three years. They had seen the blind receive sight, the lame leap, storms silenced, and the dead raised. Yet as Jesus approached the final days of His earthly ministry, He turned their attention to something far greater and far more sobering: the end of the age. In Luke 21, the Lord unveils what we often call the Olivet Discourse—a sweeping prophetic revelation of what is to come. This moment began in the most unexpected way: a poor widow quietly offering two small coins in the Temple. While others marveled at the grandeur of the Temple—an architectural wonder constructed over forty-six years under Herod’s rule—Jesus fixed His gaze on sacrifice, not stone. Then, with profound authority, He declared that not one stone would be left upon another. His disciples, stunned and curious, asked the question that resonates through the ages: "When shall these things be? And what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?" (Luke 21:7). What followed was not only a warning for the generation then present but a layered prophecy stretching into the distant future—even to our own day. Let us now enter the heart of Jesus' prophecy and draw truth for our times.


A Deep Dive into Luke 21:25–28 
Jesus doesn’t sugarcoat the future. He speaks of cosmic upheaval—signs in the sun, moon, and stars. These celestial events are more than astronomical occurrences; they are divine billboards marking the nearing end. Throughout Scripture, God often uses the heavens to get humanity's attention (see Joel 2:30–31, Revelation 6:12–13). Then He turns our focus to the earth: nations distressed, perplexed, seas roaring, and people gripped by fear. These are not random disruptions. They are symptoms of a world under judgment, spiraling toward its climax. Notice the phrase: "men's hearts failing them for fear." We are living in such a time. Anxiety, depression, and dread have never been more widespread. With every new crisis—wars, plagues, economic collapse—humanity is grasping for security. Yet Jesus told us these things would come. Not to terrify us—but to prepare us. In verse 27, the crescendo of hope breaks through: "Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." This is the great promise of the Church. Jesus is not returning in obscurity or defeat. He is coming with power and glory, just as Daniel saw (Daniel 7:13–14). His return is not a theory—it is an assured event. It is the redemption of all things. It is the King reclaiming His creation. Verse 28 then becomes a rallying cry for believers: "When these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." Don't look down in despair. Don't look around in confusion. Look up in expectation.


Living in Prophetic Perspective
Prophecy is not merely prediction; it is divine perspective. Jesus was not giving His followers a roadmap to chart every detail of the end times. He was giving them a reason to trust when the world grows dark. Just as He watched the widow offer her last two coins in trust, so He calls His followers to give their full trust to Him in the uncertainty of the last days. Some prophecies were fulfilled in the first century—the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 is a historical reality. But others stretch into our future. Jesus' second coming is still ahead. His teaching, therefore, spans generations. The signs are layered, with both "near" and "far" fulfillments. This reminds us that God's Word is living, not locked in history. Just as one prophecy can touch multiple lives in a room, so these end-time words speak to all who read them with faith.


Hope in the Midst of Chaos
Yes, the days ahead may be dark. Jesus said the powers of heaven will be shaken. But He did not leave us without light. In fact, He left us with the greatest encouragement: redemption is drawing near. Redemption isn't just about rescue from trouble. It is about the fullness of what Jesus died to secure: the resurrection of the dead, the transformation of our mortal bodies, and the eternal reign of Jesus Christ. This is not a time for dread. It is a time for readiness. Paul wrote in Titus 2:13 that we are to be "looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ." Jesus didn’t say, "When you see these signs, hide and tremble." He said, "Look up. Lift your heads."


A Call to Believers, Sinners, and Backsliders
To the believer: Now is the time to live ready. This is the hour to trim your lamp and keep your light burning. Don’t be lulled into spiritual sleep by distractions, entertainment, or worldly pursuits. The signs are everywhere, echoing the footsteps of the returning King. Let your love be fervent, your faith unwavering, and your eyes heavenward. Be bold in your witness, uncompromising in your walk, and joyful in your waiting. You are not of the night but of the day—so walk as a child of light, clothed in the armor of righteousness. This is not the time to coast; it’s the time to contend.

To the sinner: The shaking of the world is not God's cruelty—it is His mercy calling you. You were not created for wrath but for relationship with your Creator. The fear in the world is real, but so is the peace found in Christ. He is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance. Today, you can be forgiven. Today, your name can be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. The blood of Jesus can wash every stain of guilt, shame, addiction, and failure. You don’t have to clean yourself up first—just come. His grace will do the work.

To the backslider: Beloved prodigal, God has never stopped watching the road for your return. He hasn't stopped loving you. The same Jesus who wept over Jerusalem now whispers to your heart: “Come home.” You haven’t gone too far. You haven’t messed up too badly. Your past doesn’t disqualify you—His mercy overrules it. There’s still time. Return to your first love. Let the fire be rekindled. Let the joy of salvation be restored. Heaven still rejoices over one sinner who repents—and all of Heaven is ready to welcome you back.


Final Exhortation: Look Up, Live Ready
In the days of Noah, people were eating, drinking, marrying—living life as usual. Until the flood came. Jesus said His return will be the same (Matthew 24:37–39). Don’t let the comforts or chaos of this world lull you into spiritual sleep. Wake up. Look up. Live ready. Let your life be like that widow's offering—fully surrendered, hidden from man's praise, but honored by Heaven. The sky will split. The trumpet will sound. And those who are ready will rejoice. Will you be among them?


Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We come before You humbled and grateful. Your Word has shown us the signs, and Your Spirit stirs our hearts to live ready. Lord, awaken Your Church. Stir our hearts to long for Your appearing. Let us not fear the future, but embrace it with faith, knowing You hold it in Your hands. For every believer reading this, ignite a fire of urgency and purity. Strengthen our walk. Sharpen our focus. Let us live each day with Heaven in view.

For those who are far from You, let this be the moment of surrender. May they feel Your love drawing them near. May they lay down their sin and take up the cross. For the backslider, let grace echo louder than guilt. Remind them that the door of mercy is still open, and that the Father still runs to meet the prodigal.

Come, Lord Jesus. And until You do, keep us faithful. In the name of Jesus, amen.