Prepping for Judgment – Luke 21:34-38

Some have suggested that Jesus’ warning to believers to pray for strength to escape all the outpouring of judgment on earth means there will be no pre-tribulation rapture of believers and so there will be many believers on earth at the coming judgment.  But this fails to understand that many people will be saved after the rapture during the Tribulation period (Revelation 7:9-12), meaning plenty of believers will be there during that time to heed Jesus’ instruction.

“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.  (Luke 21:34-38 ESV)

The times before Jesus’ return will be so dark and dismal that it will be tempting to yield to sinful ways of dealing with despair. The believer must instead watch himself, stir his heart to pray and receive God’s strength.  And pray for strength to escape the judgments and to stand righteous before the Son.  A true believer, of course, will pass judgment and will watch his heart and find God’s strength to escape these things.  Jesus’ instruction is only possible to heed because we are believers and essential to impel us to obedience.

As Jesus taught these things it was compelling and drew people to him.  He taught in Jerusalem but lodged on the Mt. of Olives, a symbol of his distancing himself from the city soon to be judged, yet worthy of warning.  Every unbeliever is liable to be judged but deemed worthy by God of warning.  By our words, our integrity and our compassion, some people will be drawn to the Lord and escape the judgment.