Luke 17 (6)

Pray Psalm 115.1-3.
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us,
But to Your name give glory,
Because of Your mercy,
Because of Your truth.
Why should the Gentiles say,
“So where is their God?”
But our God is in heaven;
He does whatever He pleases.

Sing Psalm 115.1-3.
(Plainfield: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus)
Not to us, O God, not us, but unto Your Name give glory!
For Your love and faithfulness, ever to Your Name be glory!
Why should the nations cry, “Where is their God on high?”
You rule us, Lord, on high: Ever to Your Name be glory!

Read Luke 17.1-31; meditate on verses 22-37.

Preparation
1. What were the “days of Noah” like?

2. Who will save their life “in that day” when the Son of God returns?

Meditation
Jesus’ mission was to “bring near” the Kingdom of God, to set the stage for the Kingdom’s sudden arrival and rapid expansion following His ascension. He is the Kingdom of God, and in that sense, the Kingdom came with Him, among the people of His day. But only when He and the Father poured out the Spirit into the Church did the new day of the Kingdom begin to expand on earth as it is in heaven.

In our passage for today, Jesus looked down through the corridors of history to the time of His coming again. Then the Kingdom would realize its full measure. We won’t have to guess about the day when Jesus returns. Everyone will see and know it (vv. 22-24). Before that, however, Jesus must suffer and be rejected (v. 25). As the course of history unfolds following Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, it will be like the days of Noah. Jesus will be building His Church, as Noah built the ark, but the world will continue in rebellion and decline (vv. 26, 27; Rom. 1.18-32). As in the days of Lot, sinful people will continue going about their business until the Lord breaks through the clouds and is revealed to the world (vv. 28, 29).

We must be ready for the second coming of the Lord and the full arrival of His righteous rule. When He comes, let us not be found clutching to material things or trying to finish up what we regard as some pressing business. Let us not look back, but only up, to Jesus (v. 32). Let us prepare our hearts for that day, to let go of everything we hold dear in this life that we might inherit eternal life in the everlasting and glorious Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. For in His Presence is fullness of joy, and at His right hand are pleasures evermore (Ps. 16.11).

Hold nothing so dear that you will not readily relinquish it to hold fast to Jesus forever. On that day, when the wicked are spirited away to eternal perdition (vv. 34-37), let us rejoice to be raptured into the Presence of the Lord and to join Him in His coming and in the coming of His Kingdom (1 Thess. 4.26, 27; Rev. 19.11-14).

Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22.20)

Throughout history Kingdom people have longed for His return.
Let us join our voices to theirs, communing with saints past and present:

The King shall come when morning dawns and light triumphant breaks,
When beauty gilds the eastern hills and life to joy awakes.
Not as of old a little child to bear and fight and die,
But crowned with glory like the sun that lights the morning sky.
O brighter than the rising morn when He, victorious, rose
And left the lonesome place of death, despite the rage of foes:
O brighter than that glorious morn shall this fair morning be,
When Christ our King in beauty comes and we His face shall see!
The King shall come when morning dawns and light and beauty brings.
Hail, Christ the Lord! Thy people pray: Come quickly, King of kings!
(Early Greek hymn translated by John Brownlie, 1907/Kentucky Harmony, 1816)

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout. He is coming…and every eye will see Him! (1 Cor. 15.52; 1 Thess. 4.16; Rev. 1.7).

Rejoice!

For reflection
1. Why must we look forward to the coming of the Lord and the fullness of His Kingdom? How can doing so help us during our days on earth?

2. What can you do to keep from becoming entangled in worldly diversions and things?

3. How does the return of Jesus factor into your presentation of the Gospel?

At the end time of the world, he will not descend from heaven obscurely or secretly, but with godlike glory and as dwelling in the light which no one can approach. Cyril of Alexandria (375-444), Commentary on Luke, Homily 117

Pray Psalm 115.9-18.
Pray for Jesus to come again soon. Devote this day to serving Him, so that, should He come today, you will be found faithful.

Sing Psalm 115.9-18.
(Plainfield: Nothing but the Blood of Jesus)
All who trust in Jesus yield – ever to His Name be glory –
find in Him their help and shield – ever to Your Name be glory!
O Israel, trust the Lord!  He helps us evermore!
Fear Him obey His Word: Ever to Your Name be glory!

Blessings from our gracious Lord – ever to Your Name be glory –
will attend us evermore – ever to Your Name be glory!
Bless all who fear You, Lord, all who obey Your Word,
all who Your Name adore: Ever to Your Name be glory!

Grant us, Savior, great increase – ever to Your Name be glory!
Bless us with eternal peace – ever to Your Name be glory!
Heaven and earth are Yours; let every soul adore
and bless You evermore: Ever to Your Name be glory!

T. M. and Susie Moore

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (Williston: Waxed Tablet Publications, 2006), available by clicking here.