Lift Up Your Heads

When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.    —Luke 21:28

This week has been full of frightening news. In addition to the normal (did I say normal?) senseless shootings, bombings, and explosions, the DOW Jones industrial average fell 1,879 points in a seven day slide partly sparked by concerns about China’s failing economy. Many fearfully ask if this could lead to a worldwide economic collapse. Is this be the beginning of the end?

Additionally, in my own life, I am working on another “Hot Topic” sermon about the Blood Moon phenomenon. The Bible tells us that there will be signs in the heavens above and the earth below before Jesus Christ returns. Three verses speak about the moon turning to blood before the end of the age (Joel 2:31, Acts 2:20, Revelation 6:12). Over the last two years (2014-2015), four total lunar eclipses, named a tetrad by NASA, will have occurred. During a total lunar eclipse, the moon passes completely through earth’s shadow. The sun’s rays are bent around the earth’s atmosphere leaving a red, sunset glow on the moon. The last of these blood moons will occur on September 28^th, during the Jewish fall feast season (Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Feast of Tabernacles). Some believe these to be significant precursors to the return of Christ.

The people who should be most concerned about the end of the age and the return of Christ, the unbelieving world, are either oblivious to all of these things or merely shrug their shoulders nonchalantly. On the other hand, the people who should be most excited, born again believing Christians, appear the most fearful.

During Jesus’ last week on earth before His death, He taught the disciples about the future. In Luke 21, He warned of nations rising against other nations, earthquakes, famines, fearful events, and great signs in the heavens (vss. 10-11). Jesus also predicted, “People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken” (21:26). But Jesus’ word to the disciples then and believers today is, “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (28).

Many prophecies about the return of Christ and the end of the age are accompanied by words of encouragement. Rather than being fearful, Christians should be encouraged and lift their heads up high. Our deliverance, the Risen Lord, is returning to take us home to Himself. 1 Thessalonians 4 describes the situation for believers still living on this earth when Jesus returns, “After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever” (17). We are immediately instructed, “Therefore encourage one another with these words” (18).

Friends, we live in perilous, dreadful, and exciting times. If you have never put your trust in Jesus Christ, now is the time to call upon Him. Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins, come into your life, and make you the child of God He intends you to be. If you are already a believer, lift up your head and rejoice for your salvation is just round the corner. These things are already beginning to take place. Stand firm, rejoice, and lift your heads up high. Maranatha!