Luke 21:25, commentary and pictures

Christ's words belong to a blended prophecy of Jerusalem's destruction and His coming at the end of the world, given for those living in the earth's last scenes. Signs in the sun, moon, and stars with distress of nations in perplexity and the roaring sea are tokens that His coming and the kingdom of God are near, even at the doors. Heaven and earth mean the literal heaven and earth, the powers of heaven being the sun, moon, and stars that rule in the heavens and the powers of earth being earthly rulers, and the roaring of the sea and waves means calamities by land and by sea with destructive earthquakes, tempests, and waters passing their borders. The Lisbon earthquake of 1755 stands first in this sequence, followed by the darkening of the sun and moon, while multiplying earthquakes, storms, wars, famines, pestilences, and disasters at sea and on land warn that the end is near. Those who see these things are to look up because redemption draws near, to watch and prepare for the second coming so the day does not overtake them unawares, while it comes suddenly upon the ungodly who refuse to watch.

Prophetic Setting and Scope

Luke 21:25 belongs to Christ's blended foretelling of the destruction of Jerusalem and of His coming at the end of the world. The discourse reaches beyond the fall of Jerusalem to the final crisis and judgment. It was given both for the disciples and for those living in the earth's last scenes. First spoken in connection with Jerusalem's destruction, the warning sounds down the line to the present time. A world was represented in Jerusalem's destruction, and the temporal retribution upon Jerusalem, which could be delayed only a short time, foreshadows the retribution to be visited upon all adversaries of God.

The chapter containing the verse represents what may be expected before the Lord's coming. It belongs to the very last days of this earth's history. The signs of the times, including intense conflict and widespread violence, show that the day of the Lord is near and that threatened judgments are being permitted to take effect. In that time the distress of nations with perplexity means broken thrones, war upon war, expiring nations filling the earth with shrieks of suffering, and places of the earth in confusion. Satan works with intense activity then, and destruction comes as the earth pours forth burning contents from its bowels to destroy its inhabitants because of wickedness resembling that of the antediluvian world. Recent calamities destroying cities show the judgments of God already falling and warn to prepare for this greater distress to come.

Meaning of Heaven Earth Sea

Heaven and earth in the signs mean the literal heaven and earth. The powers of heaven are the sun, moon, and stars which rule in the heavens, while the powers of earth are earthly rulers. The heavenly bodies will be shaken by the voice of God and moved from their places, but they will not fall or pass away. The powers of earth are shaken first by war, rumors of war, sword, famine, and pestilence, and only later are heaven and earth shaken by God's voice. Turmoil among angry nations in Europe is therefore a shaking of earthly powers, not of the powers of heaven.

The roaring of the sea and waves means calamities by land and by sea before the second coming. Then the sea passes its borders with destruction in its track and engulfs ships sailing on its waters, hurrying their living freight into eternity without time to repent. The verse also foretells destructive earthquakes bringing loss of property and the shaking down and demolition of buildings. The occurrence of such disasters carries great meaning because they were foretold.

The coming of the Son of Man is revealed when He appears in the clouds with power and great glory. Signs seen in the setting and rising sun are witnesses that He is coming but are not themselves the sign of His coming.

Signs That Coming Is Near

Signs in the sun, moon, and stars, with wonders in heaven and on earth, belong among the prominent signs that precede the second advent. The revival of the spirit of prophecy is classed alongside them as a notable sign of the approaching end. The Lisbon earthquake of 1755 stands first in this sequence, fulfilling prophecy before the later darkening of the sun and moon. The darkening of the sun by day and the moon by night were promised signs declaring His coming near. They marked the approach of the most solemn period in earth's history, the revelation of the Son of man.

Since those celestial signs were fulfilled before the end, multiplying earthquakes, tempests, tidal waves, pestilence, famine, and destruction by fire and flood warn that the end is near. Storms, earthquakes, whirlwinds, fires, and war spread desolation as the end draws near. Disasters at sea and on land, including fires and floods in towns and cities, forecast great approaching events. They warn that a great, decisive event will soon take place.

Signs in the sun, moon, and stars together with distress and perplexity among nations and roaring seas are tokens that the day of final destruction and Christ's coming is near. They show that His coming is near, even at the doors, and that the kingdom of God is near. The end is near and the Lord's coming is at the door, imminent as one standing at a door ready to enter. There is no time to treat His coming as delayed. The exact day and hour are not revealed, but these events let people know that His coming is near.

That nearness is known just as budding trees show that summer is near. The world is to be warned of its approaching doom, to which the prophecies of Daniel and John point especially. When these things begin, people are to look up because their redemption is drawing near. Widespread food need, with other nations looking for food while scarcity and rising prices prevail, is a sure sign that the Son of Man is coming. It shows that an unprecedented time of trouble is approaching, even while believers can look forward to redemption.

The coming itself follows a mighty earthquake and the voice of God and a time of unprecedented distress. Amid darkness and rolling, clashing clouds the clear sign of the Son of Man appears. At His appearing the dead are raised, the glorified saints are changed and caught up to meet Him. Those who rejected and crucified Christ see Him and mourn.

Distress Among Nations Today

Perilous times lie ahead when the whole world will be caught in worldwide perplexity and distress, with signs in the heavens and the sea and waves roaring marking fearful events on earth including wars and religious oppression. Those who have not made God their refuge will be overwhelmed by fear and left without consolation, their hearts failing them as they anticipate what is coming upon the earth, while when these things begin to come to pass the redeemed are to look up because redemption draws near. The distress of nations with perplexity means broken thrones, war upon war, expiring nations filling the earth with shrieks of suffering, and places of the earth in confusion, belonging to the very last days of this earth's history. In that time Satan works with intense activity, and destruction comes as the earth pours forth burning contents from its bowels to destroy its inhabitants because of wickedness resembling that of the antediluvian world, with recent calamities destroying cities showing that God's judgments are already falling and warning to prepare for greater distress to come.

The nations are now tottering everywhere, and the safety, security, and strong bulwarks in which they trust for protection will in a very little time be hopelessly shaken and shaken to pieces, destroying all hopes centered in this world. Strained relations and growing intensity among earthly powers show the world nearing a decisive upheaval and a great crisis, in which Satan gathers the powers of darkness to unite with evil men and leads men step by step toward darkness under a terrible infatuation and pall so they do not know where they are going. Consternation will spread across the countries and be felt especially in large cities where wickedness has grown extensive, making it necessary to form a character able to stand under God's judgments. The signs of the times, including intense conflict, widespread violence, wars, and religious oppression, show that the day of the Lord is near and that threatened judgments are being permitted to take effect.

The roaring of the sea and waves with men's hearts failing for fear, also seen in vision in connection with the sealing of God's servants shown to Ezekiel, is literally transpiring now, with the earth moved and the mountains carried into the midst of the sea, the waters roaring and troubled and the mountains shaking with the swelling thereof, together with plagues, pestilence, famine, and death performing their terrible mission. These troubles of unrest among nations, perplexity, and the roaring sea near the close of earth's history bring fear as people face what is coming upon the earth, while those who believe in the Son of God can hear His reassuring voice amid the storm. The unsettled state of nations troubles honest people and leads them to ask what will become of all things. That distress will include disease of every kind upon the human family, and ignorance of the laws of health will add to suffering and cause the loss of lives that could have been saved.

Signs and wonders in the natural world and terrifying, destructive activity in the powers of earth and heaven are harbingers of the coming grand and awful future and of the triumph that will surely come to God's people, with satanic activity at work in the deceptions and calamities of that time. While God employs angels of mercy working through human agents, Satan stirs everything from beneath through evil angels in deceptions, delusions, calamities, casualties, and crimes of no ordinary character. These manifestations are to be presented in their true light as manifestations of satanic power, and the eye of faith will discern in them the coming triumphs, calling church members to wakefulness and to rise to the emergency with greater diligence as iniquity abounds.

Call to Watch and Respond

The signs in sun, moon, and stars and distress among nations are tokens that the day of final destruction and Christ's coming is near, and those who see them are to recognize that nearness and watch. That watching keeps the day from overtaking them unawares, makes them ready, and enables them to flee the coming wrath. To the ungodly who refuse to watch, the day comes suddenly.

Signs in the heavens and in the earth are given to lead men and women to prepare for the second coming of the Lord. They belong to God's great plan for the salvation of a ruined world, in which all heaven unites with man. Through the mystery of godliness heavenly agencies minister through fallen humanity so that intense interest in the plan of salvation will be aroused in the world.

Signs of the times and great calamities on earth call people to recognize the seriousness of the moment. Such disasters can make sinners afraid and trembling before God. That fear creates an opportunity to share the truth with them.

Perilous times still lie ahead when the whole world will be involved in perplexity and distress, and consternation will spread across countries and be felt especially in large cities where wickedness has grown extensive. That distress will include disease of every kind upon the human family, and the judgments of God will make it necessary to form a character able to stand. Because ignorance of the laws of health then will bring great suffering and the loss of many lives that might be saved, many medical missionaries are to be trained now.

Upon the unbelieving world a soon time of distress and perplexity of nations is coming that will tear minds from dress, appearance, hilarity and glee. Those without hope have nothing to turn to because they have not made God their refuge and are not prisoners of hope who turn to the Stronghold. Their hearts fail amid repining and fear, left overwhelmed without consolation. God will not then be their consolation but will laugh at their calamity and mock when fear comes. This is the due result of despising and trampling the truths of God's word, spending lives in extravagant dress, and sowing to the wind to reap the whirlwind.

Even in that time of national trouble and distress, many who have not given themselves wholly to the corrupting influences of the world and the service of Satan will humble themselves before God. They will turn to Him with their whole heart. They will find acceptance and pardon.

Signs and wonders in the natural world and terrifying, destructive activity in the powers of earth and heaven are to be presented in their true light as manifestations of satanic power. While God employs angels of mercy working through human agents, Satan stirs everything from beneath through evil angels in deceptions, delusions, calamities, casualties and crimes of no ordinary character. The eye of faith will discern in these things harbingers of the coming grand and awful future and of the triumph and sure triumphs that will come to God's people. This calls church members to wakefulness, to know the working of the powers of darkness and abounding iniquity, and to rise to the emergency with greater diligence. That rising is to be done without making a time of trouble beforehand, even as Satan works with intense power gathering the powers of darkness to unite with evil men and leading men step by step toward darkness under a terrible infatuation and pall so they do not know where they are going.