Luke 17:25-37

This morning, let’s turn to Luke chapter 17 and verses 25 to 37 for our text and study. Luke chapter 17, beginning with verse 25. But first, must he suffer many things and be rejected this generation. And as it was in the days of Melah, so shall it be also in the days of the sun. man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, till the day that Noah entered into the ark and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise also, as it was in the days of Lot, they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built it, the same day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be, in the day when the son of man is revealed. Or in that day he shall be upon the house thought, he that which shall be upon the house thought, and his stuff in the horse, let him not come down and take it away, and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember lots wise. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it. Whosoever shall lose his life, shall preserve it. I tell you, in that night, there shall be two men in one bed, but one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together. The one shall be taken and the other left. Two men shall be in the field. The one shall be taken, the other left. And they answered and said unto him, where, Lord? And he said unto them, wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together. Let us pray. Father, we thank you for this word. We know, Lord, there are difficult things in Scripture for us to comprehend, but I pray you give us a clear mind. And by your spirit, open our understanding. We may be benefited by your word this morning. We ask these things in Jesus’ name. In the 70 weeks’ prophecy, in the book of Daniel, there is a timetable provided for the coming of the Messiah there in Chapter 9. And it speaks of the Messiah being cut off, followed by the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. Elsewhere in Daniel, this time is called the time of Jacob’s Trouble, Chapter 12. such as never was since there was a nation, we’re told. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus referencing Daniel calls this period of time the Great Tribulation. It speaks of the destruction of Jerusalem. Now, comparing our text to Matthew 24 and also to Luke 21. It’s clear that God, Christ is speaking here of the time of the Great Tribulation. It shortly occurs after the Messiah is cut off, which is described in verse 25 of our text this morning. So I want to talk about this great tribulation that we find here in Scripture. Now, the rejection of Christ by the nation of Israel is laid out. of course in verse 25. The Messiah must suffer many things. Mocking, scourging, spitting, buffeting, buffeting, and at last death. And in the near future. In accordance with this, he was rejected and despised of men, rejected especially by his own nation. For John’s gospel tells us that he came unto his own, and his own received him not. And that is the testimony of Scripture in John 111. The multitude solemnly and formally rejected him. You remember, on the day that he was set before them by Pilate, and they demanded the release of a murderer. instead of Jesus. Not this man, but Barabbas, away with this man, crucifying. The Jewish religious leaders, of course, condemned him to death, and delivered him to the Gentiles to mock and the scourge and to crucify him. Now this horrible crime preceded the destruction of Jerusalem, as I said, but it was the leading cause of Jerusalem’s destruction. Paul in writing to the Thessalonian says this, the Jews both killed the Lord, Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us, and they please not God and are contrary to all men, forbidding us to speaking us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be say, to fill up their sin always, for wrath is come upon them to the uttermost in 1st Thessalonians 2.15. Peter tells us in the book Acts, him, speaking of Jesus, being delivered by the determinate counsel under death, by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye Jews have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain. And thus Christ’s blood was on them and on their children. It was a curse unto them what they had done. And here we find that blood avenged by the most awful judgments. As the Roman army are overreuthed. overran the nation and destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. So the rejection of Christ by the nation of Israel is first mentioned, he’s cut off, and then we see the destruction of the nation of Israel in verses 26 through 3rd. Now notice how God dealt with sinners in the past in verses 26 through 203. And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall also be also in the days of the Son of Man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, till the day Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise also, as it was in the days of Lot, they did eat, they drank, they drank, They bought, they sold, they planted, they built it. But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained, fire, and brimstone from having destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be, and the day when the son of man is revealed. Now consider the old world of Noah’s day. When all flesh had corrupted their way, and the earth was filled with violence. And we’re told, notwithstanding all the faithful warnings of Noah, who was a preacher of righteousness, that they would not listen, and therefore God has determined to bring judgment upon them. God waited 120 years while the ark was being prepared. And the preaching of Noah took place. before unleashing the universal flood, which destroyed the whole world that we had. That wicked world continued on in its evil ways, as if there were no danger of the flood sweeping them away. And we know that only eight souls, those of Noah’s family, were saved in the ark, and all the rest, perished. The old world was given fair warning, but persisted in their crooked ways. After the same manner, though they had the advantages of Lott’s example and witness, Sodom did not turn from its evil ways. For that righteous man, dwelling among them, and seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds. Even when Lott, he recalled, tried to warn his family members about the eminent destruction that the angel’s promise to bring, they laughed at him. They didn’t take him seriously. But the same day that Lott went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. God, dealt with sinners in the past, and bringing judgment upon them. And Noah’s Day, Watts Day are two prominent examples. How God will deal with Israel now is found in verse 30. The revelation of the Son of Man, here does not refer to the Second Coming. but to Christ judging the nation from His Heavenly Throne. Remember the book of Revelation. It’s called the Revelation of Jesus Christ. It’s a book about the judgment of Israel. It focuses upon Christ’s judgment of the nation in 66 to 70 AD. The theme of the book is found in chapter 1, verse 7. Behold, he comes with the clouds. This is a judgment coming when he comes with the clouds here. Every eye shall see him, in the sense that they’re going to perceive his presence in heaven, and they also which pierced him, and all the kindreds of the earth shall wail, or all the tribes of the nation, shall wail because of him. It’s similar to what we read in John 662. You shall see the son of man ascend up where he will. was before. And so we see that they’re going to recognize it is the Lord in heaven that’s bringing these judgments upon them. A comparison with Matthew’s gospel shows that Jesus is speaking of the Roman army destroying the nation of Israel and bringing judgment upon them. Here look at chapter 17. and verses 30 to 32 real quick as we have a reference. We read the other reference this morning. But let’s, here’s the second reference here we could point out. Who shall not receive, wait a minute, 17, I’d say 17 30 through 32, I think it is. even thus shall it be in the day when the son of man is revealed. In that day, he which is upon the house top, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away. He that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember, Lot’s wife. Now, obviously, this is not talking about the second coming, because you wouldn’t have time to go, back to your house is, you know, it’s instantaneous distraction with the second coming. And so there’s no time to return or pick anything out, but this is the tribulation that he’s speaking of. So Christ shall visibly display his power and the destruction of the city, Jerusalem, and the nation of Israel. Every account represents the Jews like Noah’s Day and like Watts’ day going on secure in their self-indulgence, self-confident, until they were encompassed by the Romans on every side and could no more escape than the old world and the people of Psalm. So we see the destruction of the nation of Israel. The third thing we see here is the need for Christ’s disciples to distinguish. themselves from apostate Israel. Now the people of God’s flight from Jerusalem must be made. Verse 31. When the disciples of Christ hear that the Roman army is approaching the city of Jerusalem to besiege it, they must quickly leave. Now the Jews themselves will feel secure behind the strong walls. of the city. They were massive all. So they’re going to remain in place. But the Christians Christ set must hurry to escape and withdraw to a place of refuge on the other side of the Jordan and hide out in the mountains there at Pelah. They must not concern themselves with gathering their goods and clothing and clothing and property or anything like this. They need to leave immediately when they see this situation occurring. If they are on the rooftop, they must not go down to reenter their house. They need to rush to get out of the city. There’s not a moment to lose is what Jesus is indicating to us. They must travel light. They must escape expeditiously. for their lives. Now, if they are at work in the field, don’t return home to pick anything up, but proceed in making their escape immediately. So the people of God’s flight from Jerusalem must be made. People God must escape and not think of returning. Now, in verse 32, we have this simple phrase, remember Lot’s wife. Lot’s wife Lot’s wife is a woman who appears to have made some kind of religious profession. She seemed to be a believer. She was a wife of a righteous man and evidently allowed Lot to lead her with regard to godly influence for many years. She was associated with Abraham, the father of the faithful, through her husband. She was exposed in many ways to Jehovah God who Lot in Abraham worship. But Lot’s wife really was not like her husband. She simply went along with Lot in the worship of the Lord. She doesn’t seem to have a changed heart. She fled with her husband from the wicked city of Sodom. Even the angels hauled her out of the city in the day of their escape at God’s command. And yet though she fled with him, her heart was still attached, if you were, strongly attached, to the doomed city. She willfully obeyed God’s warning not to look back. She did look back. It was immediately turned into a pillar of soul. There’s a lasting monument. Severe judgment fell upon her because of it. So he says, Now, don’t you be like her? There’s a warning here to all professing Christians. There are many today who are like lots white. Maybe they’ve made a profession of faith. But it’s a warning here. not genuine one. You may go a long way to outwardly conforming to the Christian faith, but all the time your heart remains unchanged. That would be a sad state of affairs. Your soul isn’t right with God. You’re still in love with the world. And being in love with the world means your destruction. It means that you can cannot forsake it. You’re not ready to forsake it. And you’ll be in a lot of wise condition. Love not the world. Neither of the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the father is not in him. Verse John 2.15. We can’t love the world and love God too. And this is the warning that John gives us. Do not serve Christ. with no higher motive than to please your husband or wife. Or to please your parents. Or please your friend. Serve Christ for his own sake. Out of love for the Savior of your soul. That’s the message that we find here. The case of Lott’s wife is fitting fitting for those who are fleeing Jerusalem. at this time. Don’t go back. deserted. So the people of God must escape and not think of returning. The people of God’s separation from the apostate Jews is the only way of saving their lives, as we see in verse 33. Now, from a human perspective, you would think that the best way of saving your life would be to stay in the city with these massive walls in front of you. To protect you. That seemed like the logical thing. If you want to save your life, you do that. If you want to lose your life, you go outside. Jesus said it’s just the opposite. You want to lose your life, try to save it by staying in the camp of Israel, in the city. If you risked your life, lose it by going out, that’s the way to save it, he says. But God declares the seemingly wise course of action. is exactly a way you lose your life. For the Romans, we’ll be besieging the city. Many are going to die of famine. Many are going to die of disease. Many will be put to the sword. Jesus tells his disciples to flee of the city to risk their lives escaping to Pella in the mountains on the other side of the Jordan River. They would have to expose them. themselves. They have to travel out in the open to escape, and they’re going to have to trust in the Lord, to protect them as they follow Christ’s command. What seemed foolish and dangerous was the exact manner in which they would save their souls, survived the utter destruction the rest of the Jews would face. In times of danger, The way of duty to Christ is always the safe course of action, no matter how dangerous it may appear from the human perspective. This is quite a different sense from nearly the same words used in Luke 924, because there the Lord speaks of losing your life for his sake by not shrinking before persecution. Here we have something different. So the need for the disciples distinguishing themselves from apostate Israel is pointed out here. Finally, many of Christ’s people will have a narrow escape from divine judgment. We hear about those who were taken and those who are left. There’s a lot of confusion about this. You know, when I was growing up, they always looked at this as the secret rapture. Some are taken and some are left behind. But you’ll notice it says in that night, this is a figurative expression, for the day of darkness of the affliction and calamity associated with the Roman invasion. This is what we’re talking about here. We’re not talking about the second coming of Christ. Talking about the Roman invasion. Divine providence would graciously, carefully and powerfully intervene for the protection. here of Christ’s disciples. Others in the same circumstances would be cut off in overwhelming destruction. Examples are given here. Two people lying in the same bed, two people grinding at the same mill and working in the same field. The one will be seized by the Roman soldiers and slain. The other left and able to escape. Even though they are in the same circumstances, even in the same bed, there’s a promise that God will watch over his people. Ezekiel chapter 9 talks about God setting a mark on his people before he sends the sword of judgment upon the city of Jerusalem. So you go in and you mark, the angels are going to mark, all the people of God so that no harm comes to them. And this is what God does here. There’s a sense in which he puts a protective mark on us so that we’re not harmed. And so we see this happening. So they’re protected while others are exposed and unprotected and slain. And then we see the carcasses of dead Israelites in verse 37. when the disciples ask, where are they going? Where are they going? What place? Christ’s answer is, whethersoever the body, here you’re talking about the dead body or carcass is, thither will the eagles, they gather together. The word translated eagles here in the King James version in the Greek, can mean eagle or vulture. In this case, it’s more likely he’s thinking of vultures. Eagles don’t eat the flesh like vultures do of the dead. Its intended meaning here is vultures. They don’t eat carrion eagles, nor do they gather in flocks, which the scripture talks about. But, you know, vultures, we know, hover over carcasses and devire the dead bodies of men. Now, Lord’s answer seems to indicate that those taken here are not taking to heaven, as the secret rapture people tell us. No, they’re slaughtered, they’re killed, and then the vultures eat their dead bodies. By the same proverbial expression, the Lord figuratively characterized the destruction. of unbelieving Jews. So many of Christ’s people who have a narrow escape from divine judgment. Taking the left and the carcasses of the dead Israelites are eaten. Now as we look at this passage of scripture, I’ll make two brief remarks. The first is this. There’s a warning here for our own nation. case may be justly compared to the Jews who ate and drank and married and were given in marriage and so forth. They went on as normal in their sinful whites, not repenting, when it was necessary to repent, not to repent when judgment was imminent and about to fall. The nation is made up of people. who are engrossed in their business and their worldly cares and their pursuit of pleasures. Even this morning, how many people are actually in a sound church, hearing the word of God, taking seriously what God has to say? Biblical history indicates these things are forerunners of a coming national judgment for God is forgotten. And when God is forgotten, judgment falls. Psalm 917, the wicked shall be turned into hell in all nations that forget God. There are whole nations. There are forgetters of God. Think about that. Whole nations. God is not in their thoughts. The moralist is not devout. The honest man who doesn’t pray is not God. The charitable man who is not a believer. They’re all forgetful of God. They have a moral, maybe a moralistic bent in some cases, but God is left out of the picture. A wicked man is clearly one who simply forgets. We don’t have to be the most wicked men in the world. We just neglect the Lord God. And don’t worship him. If you don’t think of him frequently and with affection and with godly fear, but are taken up with this world’s affairs, then you have to be considered wicked in God’s side. God has not looked upon as your source of happiness. Because you’re seeking happiness in the things of this world. and on in the Lord’s in a relationship with him. So let us repent, lest we suffer the same fate of Israel’s the whole if we behave like one. Secondly, the judgments of the Bible should remind you that there is a final judgment that is coming. You know, Scripture instructs you to look forward from the judgments recorded in the scripture to be. the great day of judgment to come. Take the great flood of Noah. The earth, it is true, will never again be overflowed with water. Peter tells us this, that the heavens that earth are, that now are, are reserved by the same word for a judgment by fire. Very similar when Jesus Christ comes the second time. Christ’s second coming brings destruction. 2. Peter 3 encompasses both of these events and compares them. Noah’s Day and the flood. The illustration of Sodom Gomerah is intended to make you think of the final judgment. For Jude tells us in verse 7, they are set forth for an exam for an example. a couple setting, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. What we see with this fire and brimstone falling upon Solomon Gomorra is a picture of the judgment that’s coming upon the wicked when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. And it reminds us of the eternal fire that will burn us. We have fire and brimstone. We’re in a lake of fire and brimstone. Forever. So the destruction of Jerusalem also here is intended to warn us being a type of the more awful destruction of the ungodly at the last day. This is why both of these judgments are interwoven with the second coming of Christ. Because they’re the themes the same. And they’re connected together. Jesus easily can go from one thought to the other. Because it’s the same kind of theme. So when you read of these various judgments, remember they are a reminder of the judgment to come. Prepare to meet by God is the warning of scripture. May we do that as his people. Let’s close with the word of prayer. Heavenly Father, how solemn your scripture is here. how serious it is to turn our backs upon the Lord God. Help us, Lord, to appreciate what you’ve done in the past and think about it and be prepared for what’s coming in the future. Encourage us, Father, as we read your word. But we know that you have to remove the wicked before we can live in a righteous world. We pray, Lord, that you would. And we ask, Lord, that we as your people may be prepared, that we would be ready to escape, ready to flee this world, so that we can be part of your people and serve you in this life. May we forsake our lives now that we may gain it in the future. We ask these things in the name of Jesus. Christ our saviour and Lord. Amen. Let’s stand for the benediction morning. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. May God’s blessing rest with his people. Amen.