When I saw this, the first thought that came to my mind was the movie "Gone with the wind".To me the movie has always been about overpowering change; change so great that you just have to sit back in amazement and watch it. So it was in the movie at the burning of Atlanta. But, I wonder, will we ever see change like that? When hearing the following words of Jesus, people must have wondered too. Consider the following passage from Luke and THINK!
Luk 21:5 As some were talking about the temple and how it was decorated with beautiful stones and gifts, he said,
Luk 21:6 "As for these things which you see, the days will come, in which there will not be left here one stone on another that will not be thrown down."
Luk 21:7 They asked him, "Teacher, so when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are about to happen?"
Luk 21:8 He said, "Watch out that you don't get led astray, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is at hand.' Therefore don't follow them.
Luk 21:9 When you hear of wars and disturbances, don't be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end won't come immediately."
Luk 21:10 Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
Luk 21:11 There will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places. There will be terrors and great signs from heaven.
Luk 21:12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name's sake.
Luk 21:13 It will turn out as a testimony for you.
Luk 21:14 Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer,
Luk 21:15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict.
Luk 21:16 You will be handed over even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. They will cause some of you to be put to death.
Luk 21:17 You will be hated by all men for my name's sake.
Luk 21:18 And not a hair of your head will perish.
Luk 21:19 "By your endurance you will win your lives.
Luk 21:20 "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand.
Luk 21:21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let those who are in the midst of her depart. Let those who are in the country not enter therein.
Luk 21:22 For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
Luk 21:23 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse infants in those days! For there will be great distress in the land, and wrath to this people.
Luk 21:24 They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Luk 21:25 There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and on the earth anxiety of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the waves;
Luk 21:26 men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Luk 21:27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luk 21:28 But when these things begin to happen, look up, and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near."
I have always believed in the duality of prophecy; that is, that what is written in the Scriptures is first and primarily meant for the audience and secondly for those not directly in it. So, when I read this passage, I see what happened to Jerusalem in 70 AD, but also also myself, "Is change coming now"? Look at the current world situation and be a little concerned, because with the great power for destruction out there anything can happen! This week I had pain so intense, so overpowering that for several days nothing else in the world seemed to matter. When I finally was discharged from the hospital, things just seemed different and I knew that my world had been changed once again. Enjoy each and every single day on this Earth, because you never really know what tomorrow will bring; only live with the knowledge that God is the only one who will be your redemption!