Luke 21:9-11 "'And when hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for this must first...'"

"'And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified; for this must first take place, but the end will not be at once.' Then he said to them, 'Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.'" (Luke 21:9-11 RSV).

Question:

Can you help me with some insight from a more positive perspective vs. the gloom and doom that many Christians hold onto. I do hear and feel Jesus' reassurance in Luke 21:9, but what does he mean by "the end"? And is it a stretch to assume that Jesus was not just talking to his followers of the current time? Thank you, I truly appreciate your insights and teachings. Thank God for the Internet :)

Comment:

It is never a stretch to understand that Jesus was both speaking to his immediate listeners and planting seeds for a deeper understanding at a later time. Indeed, if he were just talking about the immediate future as it concerned those listening to him, we'd have to say that he was a failed prophet, since “the end” didn't occur.   What is “the end”? Is it, as many believe, a day of final judgment, when all will be called to account and sent either to heaven or hell? There is really nothing in the teachings of Jesus that would suggest that was his expectation. It seems clear he was describing a day of new beginnings—a time when human consciousness will be lifted to Christ consciousness, which is really the entire purpose of our human existence. We are to embrace the consciousness of our true Christ identity, and make that new consciousness the basis for all our human choices. He is clear that the world as we know it—the world based on, and defined by, our previously limited human consciousness—will resist the changes that Christ consciousness will bring. There will be conflict and dramas. He wants us to know that so we can stay alert and be prepared. The temptations and dualistic expressions of human consciousness will actually seem to grow stronger. That makes it all the more important that we stay focused on our spiritual truth and spiritual identity. We must have the strength and focus to stand before the Son of Man—the Christ Presence of God—and allow the kingdom to come into expression through us.   Blessings!

Rev. Ed