luke 21.
20-24 happened in the past.
We are in the 'Times of the Gentiles'. Spoken also of in Romans 11 by Paul about Israel's blindness brought on them by God in His judgement against them.
25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own [
f]opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be [
g]saved, as it is written:
“The Deliverer will come out of Zion,
And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;
27 For this
is My covenant with them,
When I take away their sins.”
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In Luke 21, v25 and all going forward is still in the future when Christ spoke these words. But v24 is relevant to what happened back then as confirmed by the statement Jerusalem trampled underfoot by the gentiles until their time is done.
v35 Jesus tells us it comes as a snare for all people who dwell on the face of the whole earth, so this here is no local event to Jerusalem.
Christ is teaching about things to come after the Roman destruction of Jerusalem.
Luke 21
The Destruction of Jerusalem
20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. 22 For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations.
And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
The Coming of the Son of Man
25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
The Parable of the Fig Tree
29 Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
The Importance of Watching
34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with [
h]carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35
For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may [
i]be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
