And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
When the foretold signs begin to appear, believers are to look up because their redemption is near, meaning Christ's personal second coming in the clouds with power and great glory is at the door. Those beginnings include signs in the sun, moon and stars, distress of nations with perplexity, the sea and waves roaring, men's hearts failing for fear, and the powers of heaven shaken. Their nearness shows God's kingdom is near as surely as budding trees show summer is near, bringing deliverance, victory and an immortal inheritance when the dead are raised and the living saints are changed and caught up to meet Him. Therefore they are to lift their heads with hope, joy and courage rather than fear, gloom or despair, watching, praying and working with urgency instead of sleeping, delaying or saying the Lord delays His coming. Even amid perplexity, trial, sorrow and persecution they are to look away from men to the compassionate Redeemer, confident their labor is not in vain and that He will strengthen, uphold and never forsake them.
Prophecy Setting and Scope
The summons to look up and raise the head when events begin to unfold sits inside a prophecy that joins the destruction of Jerusalem with Christ's coming at the end of the world. The warning first uttered over Jerusalem represents the destruction of the world and sounds down to the final scenes of earth's history, so its message is directed to those living at the close of time. Its beginnings include signs in the sun and moon and stars, distress of nations with perplexity, the sea and waves roaring past their borders with destruction engulfing ships and hurrying souls into eternity without time to repent, calamities by land and by sea, men's hearts failing for fear in looking at what is coming on the earth, the powers of heaven shaken, and then the Son of man seen coming in the clouds with power and great glory the second time in just the same manner as He ascended. The chapter concerns the last days of earth's history and for that reason should be studied.
It is a solemn message for the present time and is to be proclaimed clearly, especially in the cities. It belongs to the present truth about Christ's coming held by professed believers. That truth calls them, even while giving liberally to earthly friends, not to forget God and pass Him by, but to remember the sacrifice Jesus made to bless them with the gift of eternal life. It calls them to keep their first love and to bring self-denying offerings to advance His cause.
The same call to uplifted heads is linked with the gladness and triumph that filled the disciples after seeing the risen Saviour.
Signs of Approaching End
The beginnings that call for uplifted heads are great tribulation marked by signs in the sun, moon, and stars. They include distress of nations with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring past their borders, with destruction engulfing ships and hurrying souls into eternity without time to repent, and calamities by land and by sea. They include men's hearts failing for fear in looking at what is coming on the earth, the powers of heaven shaken, and then the Son of man seen coming in a cloud with power and great glory. These troubles are not cause for despair but proof that His coming and God's kingdom are near, just as budding trees announce that summer is near.
The named beginnings also include wars and rumors of wars, turmoil, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places, with distress among the nations. Scarcity and rising food prices are signs that the coming time of trouble is drawing near, giving hope of near redemption even while others suffer, though without rejoicing in that suffering. Earthquake destruction such as the shaking down of buildings at Mountain View and the suffering at San Jose was foretold in this chapter, and these fulfilled events mean very much.
They come when nations are in unrest, the world faces perplexity, and people are afraid of what is coming upon the earth. They come when the world lies in wickedness and apostasy, with rebellion against God's law almost universal and bitter opposition to gospel reform. They belong to the time of the end, the present time in which the vision speaks and does not lie, after a foretold period of moral darkness and declension shown in the prophetic visions of Daniel and John.
The end follows a mighty earthquake, unprecedented trouble, darkness, and the voice of God, then the clouds roll back to reveal the sign of the Son of man. The many evidences now coming to pass prove the present is that time when redemption is near and the Lord's coming is at the door.
Nearness of Redemption
Redemption drawing near means the personal second appearing of Christ is near, even at the door. He comes the second time in the clouds with power and great glory, in just the same manner as He ascended. The exact time of His return is unknown, but the beginning signs prove it is near and call for solemn sobriety without gloom. The warning first given over the destruction of Jerusalem represents the destruction of the world and sounds down to this time, and before retribution falls angels cooperate with human workers to draw the world to Christ.
The signs are tokens of the coming King. They show that God's kingdom is near, just as budding trees announce that summer is near. When distress in the earth begins and the powers of heaven are shaken, followers are therefore to look up with hope because redemption is near, with no time left for delay or spiritual sleep.
The nearness means deliverance for His people is near. They are almost home, and may trust and praise rather than fear or grow discouraged. Their hope is victory and life with Jesus, coming deliverance, and a future immortal inheritance shared with Christ, even amid sorrow, persecution and affliction. As He comes after mighty earthquake, unprecedented trouble, darkness and the voice of God, with the clouds rolled back to reveal the sign of the Son of man, the dead are raised and the saints are changed and caught up to meet Him, while those who rejected and crucified Christ see Him and the glorified saints.
At His appearing the faithful lift their heads and rejoice because redemption is near. Shining with the light of the Sun of Righteousness, they go out to meet the Bridegroom and welcome Him with gladness as God who will save them. The wicked flee from His presence.
Joyful Watchful Response
When these things begin to come to pass, believers are to look up and lift up their heads with hope, joy and courage because redemption is near, loving to think of the appearing of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ with comfort and encouragement and without fear or shame. This looking up is not sadness, gloom or mournful walking, nor despair, but solemn sobriety joined with rejoicing, praise and thanksgiving while living in the light of the Sun of Righteousness. Attention is to remain on the Saviour rather than dwelling only on evil and fear or looking on the dark side. Hopeful signs such as souls won are to be taken as good tokens giving reason for that joy.
The command quickens weakening faith by keeping the evidences that the Lord is soon coming ever before the mind. Waiting is to watch, pray and work rather than idle expectancy, for idle expectancy leads to carelessness of life and deficiency of character. Saying in the heart that the Lord delays His coming is rebuked, and delay and spiritual sleep are forbidden, for there is no time to lose. Instead there is to be decided action and urgent carrying forward of God's work, earnestly presenting the warning because the judgments of God are about to fall on the earth. Angels cooperate with human workers to draw the world to Christ before retribution falls on all His adversaries.
Keeping the signs of the times fresh before minds prepares faithful discerners who endure to the end. This stands in contrast to scoffers and professed believers who deny faith by works and are rocked to sleep in carnal security. Believers are to watch and live soberly and godly while awaiting Christ's personal return, though the exact time is unknown. Doubtful words are to be put away for words of hope and courage in the Lord, with words and manners watched as indicators of spiritual health and with talk of certainty rather than doubt or supposition. With great boldness the truth in love as it is in Jesus is to be spoken, which is possible when Jesus the precious Saviour who knocks at the door of the heart is invited to enter and abide, so that one speaks as one who knows.
God's true servants and last-day witnesses near the end lift their thoughts and heads with joyful countenances and go forward uplifted, without shame and holding their heads high. With the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness shining upon them they go forth as soldiers of the cross, boldly proclaiming the truth and the glad tidings of salvation throughout the world. They declare the final message of mercy to the world, including the third angel's message, with courage and joy. Though unpopular and facing danger, privation and reproach, they stand firm on the solid rock in the faith once delivered to the saints because they have tasted the power of the world to come. Christ's coming is joyful news to be shared with others.
Those who have lived in close communion with God are prepared to meet the Bridegroom and welcome Him with joy. Hearing God's voice amid the storm saying it is I, they are not afraid but remain hopeful and encouraged while taking decided action.
Comfort and Courage Today
Those who face perplexity, wars, religious oppression, and fear over what is taking place on the earth are to look up and take courage because redemption is near. Looking away from people to the Redeemer removes fear and discouragement. Those who remain connected to God can be confident that their faithful work is not in vain. When trials press on every side, and believers must pass through sorrow, persecution, and affliction, with little love, sympathy, and appreciation for their work, they are to look heavenward for comfort and hope and lift up their heads in rejoicing because deliverance is close.
That rejoicing keeps the peace of God and thankfulness instead of a sour, burdened appearance, and calls for drawing near just now as never before with a true heart in full assurance of faith without disappointment. Discouragement is forbidden, as are hasty, self-planned moves driven by an impetuous spirit, and instead there is to be clinging to God with heart and soul and mind. Jesus lives as Friend and Elder Brother who loves believers and acts on their behalf, and His representative is present in every place to strengthen, bless, sustain, and uphold, while the One who knows all will never leave nor forsake. The nearness of redemption gives reason for hope and points to coming deliverance and the future immortal inheritance shared with Christ. When the Lord's coming draws near, believers can look up with hope because they are almost home, going forward with confidence in trust toward Jesus, the compassionate Redeemer who saves all who come to Him, with praise rather than fear or discouragement. Even while darkness covers the earth, those who are ready for the harvest may await His appearing with hope, and some may die and sleep in Jesus before He comes, in expectation of His soon return, victory, and life with Him.
When the foretold signs begin to appear, believers are to look up because their redemption is near, meaning Christ's personal second coming in the clouds with power and great glory is at the door. Those beginnings include signs in the sun, moon and stars, distress of nations with perplexity, the sea and waves roaring, men's hearts failing for fear, and the powers of heaven shaken. Their nearness shows God's kingdom is near as surely as budding trees show summer is near, bringing deliverance, victory and an immortal inheritance when the dead are raised and the living saints are changed and caught up to meet Him. Therefore they are to lift their heads with hope, joy and courage rather than fear, gloom or despair, watching, praying and working with urgency instead of sleeping, delaying or saying the Lord delays His coming. Even amid perplexity, trial, sorrow and persecution they are to look away from men to the compassionate Redeemer, confident their labor is not in vain and that He will strengthen, uphold and never forsake them.
Prophecy Setting and Scope
The summons to look up and raise the head when events begin to unfold sits inside a prophecy that joins the destruction of Jerusalem with Christ's coming at the end of the world. The warning first uttered over Jerusalem represents the destruction of the world and sounds down to the final scenes of earth's history, so its message is directed to those living at the close of time. Its beginnings include signs in the sun and moon and stars, distress of nations with perplexity, the sea and waves roaring past their borders with destruction engulfing ships and hurrying souls into eternity without time to repent, calamities by land and by sea, men's hearts failing for fear in looking at what is coming on the earth, the powers of heaven shaken, and then the Son of man seen coming in the clouds with power and great glory the second time in just the same manner as He ascended. The chapter concerns the last days of earth's history and for that reason should be studied.
It is a solemn message for the present time and is to be proclaimed clearly, especially in the cities. It belongs to the present truth about Christ's coming held by professed believers. That truth calls them, even while giving liberally to earthly friends, not to forget God and pass Him by, but to remember the sacrifice Jesus made to bless them with the gift of eternal life. It calls them to keep their first love and to bring self-denying offerings to advance His cause.
The same call to uplifted heads is linked with the gladness and triumph that filled the disciples after seeing the risen Saviour.
Signs of Approaching End
The beginnings that call for uplifted heads are great tribulation marked by signs in the sun, moon, and stars. They include distress of nations with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring past their borders, with destruction engulfing ships and hurrying souls into eternity without time to repent, and calamities by land and by sea. They include men's hearts failing for fear in looking at what is coming on the earth, the powers of heaven shaken, and then the Son of man seen coming in a cloud with power and great glory. These troubles are not cause for despair but proof that His coming and God's kingdom are near, just as budding trees announce that summer is near.
The named beginnings also include wars and rumors of wars, turmoil, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places, with distress among the nations. Scarcity and rising food prices are signs that the coming time of trouble is drawing near, giving hope of near redemption even while others suffer, though without rejoicing in that suffering. Earthquake destruction such as the shaking down of buildings at Mountain View and the suffering at San Jose was foretold in this chapter, and these fulfilled events mean very much.
They come when nations are in unrest, the world faces perplexity, and people are afraid of what is coming upon the earth. They come when the world lies in wickedness and apostasy, with rebellion against God's law almost universal and bitter opposition to gospel reform. They belong to the time of the end, the present time in which the vision speaks and does not lie, after a foretold period of moral darkness and declension shown in the prophetic visions of Daniel and John.
The end follows a mighty earthquake, unprecedented trouble, darkness, and the voice of God, then the clouds roll back to reveal the sign of the Son of man. The many evidences now coming to pass prove the present is that time when redemption is near and the Lord's coming is at the door.
Nearness of Redemption
Redemption drawing near means the personal second appearing of Christ is near, even at the door. He comes the second time in the clouds with power and great glory, in just the same manner as He ascended. The exact time of His return is unknown, but the beginning signs prove it is near and call for solemn sobriety without gloom. The warning first given over the destruction of Jerusalem represents the destruction of the world and sounds down to this time, and before retribution falls angels cooperate with human workers to draw the world to Christ.
The signs are tokens of the coming King. They show that God's kingdom is near, just as budding trees announce that summer is near. When distress in the earth begins and the powers of heaven are shaken, followers are therefore to look up with hope because redemption is near, with no time left for delay or spiritual sleep.
The nearness means deliverance for His people is near. They are almost home, and may trust and praise rather than fear or grow discouraged. Their hope is victory and life with Jesus, coming deliverance, and a future immortal inheritance shared with Christ, even amid sorrow, persecution and affliction. As He comes after mighty earthquake, unprecedented trouble, darkness and the voice of God, with the clouds rolled back to reveal the sign of the Son of man, the dead are raised and the saints are changed and caught up to meet Him, while those who rejected and crucified Christ see Him and the glorified saints.
At His appearing the faithful lift their heads and rejoice because redemption is near. Shining with the light of the Sun of Righteousness, they go out to meet the Bridegroom and welcome Him with gladness as God who will save them. The wicked flee from His presence.
Joyful Watchful Response
When these things begin to come to pass, believers are to look up and lift up their heads with hope, joy and courage because redemption is near, loving to think of the appearing of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ with comfort and encouragement and without fear or shame. This looking up is not sadness, gloom or mournful walking, nor despair, but solemn sobriety joined with rejoicing, praise and thanksgiving while living in the light of the Sun of Righteousness. Attention is to remain on the Saviour rather than dwelling only on evil and fear or looking on the dark side. Hopeful signs such as souls won are to be taken as good tokens giving reason for that joy.
The command quickens weakening faith by keeping the evidences that the Lord is soon coming ever before the mind. Waiting is to watch, pray and work rather than idle expectancy, for idle expectancy leads to carelessness of life and deficiency of character. Saying in the heart that the Lord delays His coming is rebuked, and delay and spiritual sleep are forbidden, for there is no time to lose. Instead there is to be decided action and urgent carrying forward of God's work, earnestly presenting the warning because the judgments of God are about to fall on the earth. Angels cooperate with human workers to draw the world to Christ before retribution falls on all His adversaries.
Keeping the signs of the times fresh before minds prepares faithful discerners who endure to the end. This stands in contrast to scoffers and professed believers who deny faith by works and are rocked to sleep in carnal security. Believers are to watch and live soberly and godly while awaiting Christ's personal return, though the exact time is unknown. Doubtful words are to be put away for words of hope and courage in the Lord, with words and manners watched as indicators of spiritual health and with talk of certainty rather than doubt or supposition. With great boldness the truth in love as it is in Jesus is to be spoken, which is possible when Jesus the precious Saviour who knocks at the door of the heart is invited to enter and abide, so that one speaks as one who knows.
God's true servants and last-day witnesses near the end lift their thoughts and heads with joyful countenances and go forward uplifted, without shame and holding their heads high. With the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness shining upon them they go forth as soldiers of the cross, boldly proclaiming the truth and the glad tidings of salvation throughout the world. They declare the final message of mercy to the world, including the third angel's message, with courage and joy. Though unpopular and facing danger, privation and reproach, they stand firm on the solid rock in the faith once delivered to the saints because they have tasted the power of the world to come. Christ's coming is joyful news to be shared with others.
Those who have lived in close communion with God are prepared to meet the Bridegroom and welcome Him with joy. Hearing God's voice amid the storm saying it is I, they are not afraid but remain hopeful and encouraged while taking decided action.
Comfort and Courage Today
Those who face perplexity, wars, religious oppression, and fear over what is taking place on the earth are to look up and take courage because redemption is near. Looking away from people to the Redeemer removes fear and discouragement. Those who remain connected to God can be confident that their faithful work is not in vain. When trials press on every side, and believers must pass through sorrow, persecution, and affliction, with little love, sympathy, and appreciation for their work, they are to look heavenward for comfort and hope and lift up their heads in rejoicing because deliverance is close.
That rejoicing keeps the peace of God and thankfulness instead of a sour, burdened appearance, and calls for drawing near just now as never before with a true heart in full assurance of faith without disappointment. Discouragement is forbidden, as are hasty, self-planned moves driven by an impetuous spirit, and instead there is to be clinging to God with heart and soul and mind. Jesus lives as Friend and Elder Brother who loves believers and acts on their behalf, and His representative is present in every place to strengthen, bless, sustain, and uphold, while the One who knows all will never leave nor forsake. The nearness of redemption gives reason for hope and points to coming deliverance and the future immortal inheritance shared with Christ. When the Lord's coming draws near, believers can look up with hope because they are almost home, going forward with confidence in trust toward Jesus, the compassionate Redeemer who saves all who come to Him, with praise rather than fear or discouragement. Even while darkness covers the earth, those who are ready for the harvest may await His appearing with hope, and some may die and sleep in Jesus before He comes, in expectation of His soon return, victory, and life with Him.