When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Luke 21:28 NIV
Imagine being a refugee waiting for a plane to come and take you away to a new life. You would likely yearn for that plane to arrive, constantly looking for it. And when it finally appears off in the distance, you might jump up and start pressing toward the gate. Nothing else matters but to get on that plane.
What Jesus says in Luke 21:28 is somewhat similar to that. He was telling His disciples about what would be taking place before His return. And it wasn’t good. But one day, we will see Jesus returning for us. And that will be an exciting time. Our redemption is drawing close. Jesus is coming to take us out of this world and into the kingdom He has prepared for us.
But there is no reason we need to wait until we see Him returning in the clouds (Acts 1:11). We have the promise of His return for us. And every day that return draws closer. It may be before I leave this earthly tent behind (2 Cor. 5:1-4). Or it may be after I have gone on to be with the Lord (Phil. 1:23).
But regardless of my physical state (dead or alive) when it happens (1 Thess. 5:13-18), I know that my redemption, the transformation of my body (1 Cor. 15:50-54), is getting ever closer. And more and more, I yearn for that time. So, I lift up my head and look to the sky, eagerly awaiting that day.
