It’s time to turn to the Word of God and hear the message of the Lord. Today’s scripture is from Luke, Chapter 21, which discusses the return of Jesus Christ. This chapter contains Jesus’ own words about His Second Coming.

In this passage, Jesus shares His message about His return on the Mount of Olives, speaking to His disciples on the Wednesday evening of Passion Week. After a full day of teaching in the temple and facing confrontations with the leaders, He sat on the side of the Mount of Olives and spoke to His followers about the Second Coming.

The following day, Thursday, they celebrated the Passover. On Friday, Jesus was crucified, and by Sunday, He had risen from the dead. Forty days later, He ascended to heaven, where He has remained until His return. The Western world is widely familiar with the story of Jesus’ birth, often centered around the nativity scene in Bethlehem, Joseph and Mary, the manger, the star, angels, and the wise men.

These familiar elements are part of the grand story that God has revealed in Scripture. In fact, over 300 Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled during Jesus’ first coming. The Old Testament laid out these details, not only about His first coming but also about His return. Many of these unfulfilled prophecies point to the Second Coming of Christ.

The accuracy of the fulfillment of these prophecies about His first coming strengthens the credibility of those concerning His Second Coming. The Bible offers a wealth of information about Jesus’ return, and today, we will explore these teachings directly from the Word of God.

The Word of God is powerful and alive—sharper than any double-edged sword. It reveals the deepest thoughts and intentions of the heart. It acts like fire, burning away what is unnecessary, and like a hammer, shattering and healing. Today, we are focused on listening to God’s Word regarding the return of Jesus Christ.

In Luke 21:25, Jesus says, “There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. On earth, nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and waves. People will faint from fear, anticipating what is coming to the world, 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. When these things begin to happen, stand up, and lift your heads because your redemption is drawing near.”

The next time Jesus returns, it will be vastly different from His first coming in humility in a manger. His return will be in power and great glory, as He comes in a cloud with immense authority. This is the perfect moment to reflect on the details of His return.

In Luke 21:25, we see a summary of the signs leading to His return: signs in the sun, moon, stars, and disturbances in the sea and waves. These are the powerful events that will precede Jesus’ return, as described by our Lord Himself. This passage is the culmination of a long discourse that began in Luke 21:8, which was prompted by questions from His disciples. They wanted to know when these things would take place and what signs would indicate His return.

This discourse is mirrored in the accounts found in Matthew 24-25 and Mark 13, which further elaborate on Jesus’ teachings about His Second Coming.