17, 18. What light does Revelation shed on how the great tribulation will develop?

¹⁷ Chapters 17 to 19 of Revelation fit and verify this adjusted understanding of Matthew 24:29-31, Mark 13:24-27, and Luke 21:25-28.

After it begins, some of disobedient mankind will still be alive to see “the sign of the Son of man” and to react​—to lament and, as stated at Luke 21:26, to “become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth.”

The very context of Jesus’ prophecy at Luke 21 indicates how this must be.

Yes, the ending of the “times of the nations” is tied in with these world-shaking events that have exploded on earth from the year 1914 onward! (Luke 21:7-11, 24-26)

 6. What is the relationship between Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21; and what question should keenly interest us?

⁶ You will find their question and Jesus’ reply in Matthew chapter 24, Mark chapter 13, and Luke chapter 21.a

What is the relationship between Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21; and what question should keenly interest us?

Both of these questions were covered in Jesus’ answer, as given in Matthew 24 and 25, Mark 13, and Luke 21. (See also Revelation 6:1-8.)

“Men become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth.” (Luke 21:26)

Watch Tower publications have often pointed to this and other evidence now fulfilling the “sign” of Jesus’ “presence.”​—Matthew, chapters 24, 25; Mark, chapter 13; Luke, chapter 21.

But as these things start to occur, raise yourselves erect and lift your heads up, because your deliverance is getting near.”​—Luke 21:25-28.

It is exactly as Jesus said it would be at the time of “the conclusion of the system of things”: “Men become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” (Luke 21:26)

Of what did Jesus prophesy at Luke chapter 21?

Sixty-eight years after 1914 we see in existence the state of affairs foretold by Jesus in Luke 21:25-27, in the following words: “There will be . . . on the earth anguish of nations, not knowing the way out because of the roaring of the sea and its agitation, while men become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

□ According to Luke 21:25-27, what events mark the end of the Gentile Times?

After speaking of international wars, great earthquakes, pestilences, food shortages and persecution of true Christians, Jesus mentioned “anguish of nations [not just of the Jews],” and predicted that men would become “faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth [not just upon Jerusalem].” (Luke 21:10-19, 25, 26)

In this way you also, when you see these things occurring [wars, earthquakes, pestilences, food shortages, persecution of Christians, anguish of nations], know that the kingdom of God is near.”​—Luke 21:10-31.

That prophecy of Jesus is recorded in the Bible, principally in Matthew chapter 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21.

And during these happenings there would be “anguish of nations, not knowing the way out . . . while men become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth.”​—Luke 21:7-28; Matt. 24:3-14.

 3. (a) What does the parallel account at Luke 21 indicate would happen to Christians? (b) Why, then, is endurance so important?

³ That endurance in times like these is very necessary for the servants of God is also emphasized in the parallel account of Jesus’ prophecy, in Luke chapter 21, which reports on the sufferings and persecutions due to befall faithful Christians at this time.

So there was, in fact, a small-scale fulfillment of Matthew chapter 24 and Luke chapter 21, which have a larger fulfillment in our time.

And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”—Luke 21:25-27.

 5. As to “signs in sun and moon and stars,” what darkening of sun, moon and stars and also meteoric showers in these last centuries does history record?

⁵ What, though, about the foretold “signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of nations, not knowing the way out because of the roaring of the sea and its agitation, while men become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth”? (Luke 21:25, 26)

● How are we to understand Luke 21:25, 26 and the similar passage at Matthew 24:29?

Luke 21:25, 26 reads: “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of nations, not knowing the way out because of the roaring of the sea and its agitation, while men become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”

Chap. 21 434

21:25, 26 105, 431, 483

While on earth, his Son Jesus said: “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of nations, not knowing the way out because of the roaring of the sea and its agitation, while men become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”—Luke 21:25, 26, NW.

Are you looking for such things to happen literally in the heavens as mentioned in Luke chapter 21?

Professor D. A. Carson states: “Few chapters of the Bible have called forth more disagreement among interpreters than Matthew 24 and its parallels in Mark 13 and Luke 21.”

These ‘will lift their heads up, because their deliverance is getting near.’​—Luke 21:25, 26, 28.

Later, when they are seated on the Mount of Olives, Jesus’ intimate disciples ask about this, and in answer Jesus describes the sign that will mark his presence in Kingdom power and the conclusion of Satan’s evil system of things.​—Matthew 24:1–25:46; Mark 13:1-37; Luke 21:5-36.

Only by keeping awake can we stand approved before Jesus, “the Son of man,” at his presence.​—Luke 21:25-28, 34-36.

Additionally, almost two thousand years ago, there was included in the Bible an accurate description of world conditions in this 20th century. (Matthew, chapters 24, 25; Mark, chapter 13; Luke, chapter 21; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 2 Peter 3:3, 4; Revelation 6:1-8)

Almost two thousand years ago, the Bible accurately foretold world conditions today. (Matthew 24, 25; Mark 13; Luke 21; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 2 Peter 3:3, 4; Revelation 6:1-8)

 5. Where does the expression “Gentile Times” originate?

⁵ The expression “Gentile Times,” or “appointed times of the nations,” comes from Jesus’ great prophecy concerning the destruction of Jerusalem. (Luke 21:5-36, King James Version)

19. Why are true Christians so grateful to be alive at this time?

¹⁹ Worsening world conditions since 1914 are proof that John’s vision has become a reality and that the end of all humans who refuse to submit to God’s sovereignty is drawing perilously near. (Luke 21:10, 11, 25-32)

Because the prophesied Gentile Times, or “appointed times of the nations,” ended in 1914, ushering in the present period of “distress of nations, with perplexity.” (Luke 21:24-26; NW, King James Version)

Obviously, Jesus’ prophecy in Matthew chapters 24 and 25, and Luke chapter 21 was being fulfilled.