Waking Up to Grace
Waking Up to Grace is a Bible-centered podcast for anyone who is weary of religious performance and ready to rest confidently in Christ.
Hosted by Lenny, each episode brings honest conversations and a fresh look at Scripture to questions about grace, faith, the New Covenant, identity in Christ, forgiveness, assurance, the church, and eternal life. The goal is not to give you another religious checklist, but to help you see the finished work of Jesus more clearly and reconsider long-held traditions in the light of Scripture.
Whether you are questioning what you have been taught, recovering from legalism, or simply longing to know Christ more deeply, join us as we wake up to grace—one conversation at a time.
Find companion Bible studies and more at WakingUpToGrace.com
Waking Up to Grace
End Times Meaning: What Time Is It? | Luke 21:20–36 | Episode 25
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What do the end times actually mean in Scripture? Christians are constantly being told that current events prove the end is near, but understanding prophecy begins with knowing what time the New Testament writers themselves were living in.
In this episode, we look at the transition from the old covenant age into the fully established New Covenant. Hebrews describes the old covenant order as growing old and ready to vanish away, while Jesus placed Jerusalem’s destruction, the coming of the Son of Man, redemption, and the passing of heaven and earth within the generation standing before Him.
We will walk through Hebrews, Matthew, Isaiah, and especially Luke 21 to examine the Temple, AD 70, prophetic language about heaven and earth, signs in the sun, moon, and stars, Christ coming on the clouds, the resurrection, and the meaning of “this generation.”
The question is not simply whether the Bible talks about the end times. The question is whether we understand which end Scripture was talking about.
Read the companion study and continue the conversation:
https://wakinguptograce.com/025-end-times-are-here-again/
New Covenant Transition Understanding
announcementHello and welcome to the Waking Up to Grace podcast , where we celebrate and explore the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ . Tune in to the Waking Up to Grace podcast on every major platform . You can also listen to our episodes and read our full transcripts at wakinguptogracecom . And now here's Lenny .
LennyIt was Sunday morning . My wife and I were routinely preparing ourselves to go to our local church and hear that week's message . We headed out of the house and talked along the way , anticipating what we might learn when we got there . As we pulled into the parking lot , the traffic director wasn't there . It looked like most of the people were there already so they probably didn't need him anymore , it was a beautiful sunny day outside .
LennyAs we eagerly walked up to the building no greeters this week either . That's odd . Melissa and I both agreed . As we headed toward the main doors where the service is held , we could hear the pastor speaking . Something just seemed off in the timing here , but we continued on regardless . As we made our way to the place where we'd like to sit , some people were turning and looking at us . I noticed a slight smirk or two as we sat down in our seats and just as we sat down , the pastor said his closing prayer and the band began to play . Several people stood up to leave , as they do at the end of the message each week .
LennyHow did we end up getting there at the end of the message ? We looked at each other completely baffled . Then Melissa said Do you remember your dad's reminder to set our clocks for the time change ? Yes , we missed the good old government-mandated time change for daylight savings . Nothing going on in our world was lining up because we didn't know what time it actually was . Nothing made any sense at all . We couldn't tell the beginning from the end .
LennyMost of us can relate with this story . The government-mandated time change has probably tricked you at some point in your life , hasn't it ? But are you aware of the time change mandated by God ? Are you aware of the time you're living in ? I think most Christians today are living like the time didn't change and don't even realize it . So let's talk about it , shall we ? Yes , in my last message , sleepwalking Through Christian Life , we witnessed how critical it is to know when the new covenant began in order to know what is going on in our scriptures . We can't read the Sermon on the Mount or the Lord's Prayer and understand them correctly without knowing what time it is . But the time change of the new covenant had a transition period . Most missed this major point . Although the new covenant began at the cross with the shedding of Christ Yeshua's holy blood , the new covenant age had not been fully established yet . The New Covenant had begun , but the Old Covenant age had not fully ended yet During this transitional period . While believers had entered into the New Covenant with Yahweh , they still lived in the Old Covenant age . The author of Hebrews gave us a clear picture of this fact . This writer knew exactly what time it was .
LennyWe'll be using the ESV Bible translation for our study today . We're going to begin in Hebrews , chapter 9 , verses 6 through 10 . These preparations having thus been made , the priests go regularly into the first section performing their ritual duties , but into the second only the high priest goes , and he but once a year , and not without taking blood , which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people . By this , the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet open as long as the first section is still standing , which is symbolic for the present age . According to this arrangement , gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper , but deal only with food and drink and various washings . Regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation .
LennyThe author of Hebrews is telling their Jewish audience that the temple of worship still standing is symbolic for the present age . He was helping them to understand the age they were currently living in , as we read . So what we see here is that the way into the holy places was not yet open as long as the first section is still standing , which is symbolic for the present age . So what we see here is that the way into the holy places was not open yet . The regulations of the law would be imposed until the time of Reformation . When would that be based on the passage we just read ? Hmm .
LennyWhen the temple of worship is no longer standing is the answer . Hmm .
LennyThat temple is what marked the age , according to our Hebrew letter in our Bibles . So what age were they in in the time of the writing ? The Old Covenant age was the time they were living in . According to scripture , the temple was still standing . Are we clear so far ? Alright , the first thing you might ask is how could they be living in the Old Covenant age and yet the Christians weren't subject to the law ? This is a valid question and I am certain it confused many Jewish Christians .
LennyChrist Yeshua told the disciples the exact answer to this question in Matthew 5.17 . Do not think that I have come to this question in Matthew 5 , 17 . Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets . I have not come to abolish them , but to fulfill them . For truly , I say to you , until heaven and earth pass away , not an iota , not a dot will pass from the law , until all is accomplished . As we went over in my last episode , the law was fulfilled in the faithful at the cross . Sin was fully dealt with for those in Christ , but the law was still being observed in the synagogue .
LennyAccording to our Hebrews letter , in Hebrews 8.13 , we read and speaking of a new covenant , he makes the first one obsolete . And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away . We see again that the writer of Hebrews knew what time it was based on the temple of worship . The temple was still active even though there was no longer any value in it , but soon it would vanish away . Did you know that the temple of worship is no longer standing today ? Yes , I know . All we hear is talk about the temple being rebuilt . I'm not talking about what people who claim to be Jews are doing in Israel right now . I'm talking about the temple of Yahweh that we read about in Scripture , the one that , once it would vanish , would never return . Scripture never tells us that what was useless and fading would return again for another attempt . Hmm .
LennySo what happened ? Why is the temple no longer standing ? Because our Lord destroyed it in AD 70 . Christ Yeshua said Until heaven and earth pass away , not an iota , not a dot will pass from the law , until all is accomplished . Okay , so the temple was destroyed . That must have been a coincidence . You might say . The earth is still here . The temple destruction must have been a hiccup in God's plan . It was the Roman army that destroyed Jerusalem , not God . Well , before we jump to any conclusions , let's see what our Lord would say .
LennyIn Luke 21-20 , yeshua said but when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies , then know that its desolation has come near . In Luke 21 20 , yeshua said Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days , for there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people . They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations , and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of Jerusalem would fulfill all that is written . So how can we justify that the earth is still here ? You might be thinking this is confusing to us because we don't pay attention to prophetic language . We can now see the clear truth about the destruction of Jerusalem , but we cannot reconcile it with the end of the earth . So we submit to what we've been told all our lives . Our Bibles do contain the truth , but we have to be seeking it or we'll never find it .
LennyWould you like to see a passage that displays prophetic language about heaven and earth ? Let's take a look . Isaiah 51 , 15-16 reads and saying to Zion you are my people . Were the foundations of the earth laid at that time . Was heaven not established before this ? That seems to be what this passage is telling us . Hmm .
LennyThis passage is actually describing when Yahweh chose Israel to be his people . So if prophets proclaimed this to be an establishment of heaven and earth , what would they proclaim about its destruction ? It would probably sound exactly like this Matthew 5.18 . Yeshua said For truly I say to you , until heaven and earth pass away , not an iota , not a dot will pass from the law , until all is accomplished . We can now see that what Yeshua is telling his audience here is that the law will be finished when Israel passes away . This prophecy was fulfilled in the AD 70 destruction of Jerusalem , when the temple was destroyed , the lineage was burned and those who weren't killed or held captive in Israel were scattered .
LennyLet's go back to our Hebrews passages now and see if they make more sense Hebrews 9 , 6 through 10 . These preparations have thus been made . The priests go regularly into the first section performing their ritual duties , but into the second only the high priest goes , and he but once a year . And the high priest goes , and he but once a year , and not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people . By this , the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing , which is symbolic for the present age .
LennyAccording to this arrangement , gifts and we read earlier in Hebrews 8.13 , he makes the first one obsolete . And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away . Are you beginning to see what time it is ? Are you living in the new age or the old age ? Are you living in the age that was to come in our New Testament writings or are you living in the end of the old covenant age still ? Hebrews 10 , verse 9 . Then he added Behold , I have come to do your will .
Speaker 1He abolishes the first in order to establish the second when was the new covenant age ?
Lennyfully established when the old temple of worship was destroyed . The body of Christ is now the temple of God . If you are in Christ and Christ is in you , you are God's holy people . In Romans 9-11 , paul describes in detail how Christ was true Israel all along saying things like for not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel . It's not about the nation of Israel .
LennyIt no , no , no no , it's an amazing mystery that we have lost sight of due to dispensational doctrines being spread all over the world . In more recent years , the nation of Israel being re-established , beginning in 1948 , has also stirred a ton of confusion . The funny thing about all that is the people behind it . Sadly , it is those who proclaim themselves to be Jews , who reject Christ and his teaching , that are responsible for all this confusion in the church today . They have a lot of money and a lot of influence . These are things that Christians should be paying attention to .
LennyYou might be wondering if this is all finished , then what is the point for the return of Christ ? Well , the good news is we find this answer in our scriptures as well Hebrews 9.24 . For Christ has entered , not into holy places made with hands which are copies of the true things , but into heaven itself , now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf . This passage is describing how Christ dealt with sin and went into heaven itself to be in the presence of God on our behalf . But when do all the faithful of the old covenant and those who come to Christ get to go to heaven ? How long will they be left in the grave ?
LennyHebrews 9.28 says so Christ , having been offered once to bear the sins of many , will appear a second time , not to deal with sin , but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him . So , when do the believers get to go to heaven ? At the resurrection , of course , and when is the resurrection of the dead going to take place ? At the return of Christ , right ? So if we're already in the new covenant age and the temple has been destroyed , when is the second coming ? Hmm .
LennyIt's funny how reasoning through our scripture leads us to such deep questions , isn't it ? Yes , I just love going through the scriptures and finding answers to the greatest questions this life has to offer . Let's take a look at some passages that tell us how to determine when the second coming has happened , just to be sure we didn't miss something important , important . We'll begin by going back to our passage in Luke from earlier to keep things simple Luke 21 20 . But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies , then know that its desolation has come near . Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains and let those who are inside the city depart , and let not those who are out in the country to the mountains and let those who are inside the city depart and let not those who are out in the country enter it . For these are days of vengeance to fulfill all that is written . Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days , For there will be great distress upon earth and wrath against this people . They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations , and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled . We're now back to the scene . That would fulfill all that is written .
Son of Man Coming on Clouds
LennyBut what about the second coming of Christ ? That's not there . Hmm , but it is . We just have to read a little further Luke 21 , 25 . And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars and on the earth , distress of nations and perplexity because of the warring of the sea and the waves , people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world . For the powers of Now . When these things begin to take place , straighten up and raise your heads because your redemption is drawing near . Let's break down this passage a bit so we can see the full magnitude of what's being said .
LennyThis passage deserves some serious attention . And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars and on the earth , distress of nations and perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves , people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world , for the New Covenant age would be establishing a new heaven and earth . But we see here and in other passages of scripture this mention of the sun , moon and the stars . We read things like . We read things like the sun shall be darkened , the moon shall not give her light and the stars fall from heaven . When we're not familiar with our scriptures , we automatically see this as literal . But when we are familiar with scripture , we should know better . I know that doesn't say a lot about today's leaders , but passages like this are used all over Scripture to describe the breakdown of governments and men in authority . If we interpret them as the ancient Hebrews would have , we would see that the people in authority and governing Israel would be wiped out forever .
LennyThis prophecy was also fulfilled at the AD 70 destruction of Jerusalem . And now we get to the good stuff , and then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory . Now , when these things begin to take place , straighten up and raise your heads , because your redemption is drawing near . There are a couple things we need to examine in this passage . First , redemption was drawing near when the destruction was happening and the Son of man was coming . Redemption was something that the writers of our New Testament were still hoping and waiting for at the time of their writings . It was promised and they would have it , but it had not yet come . Do you believe that you're going right into heaven to be with the Lord when you die . Yes , Well , if you're waiting for the second coming still , then the resurrection of the dead hasn't happened . No , no , no , no , no . That would place you in Sheol waiting for redemption Christ .
LennyYeshua in John 6 40 says For this is the will of my Father , that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life , and I will raise him up on the last day . The resurrection of the dead would occur on the last day of all this . The destruction of the holy temple would mark the last day . We have a new temple now and it will last forever . Genesis 17.7 says and I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations , for an everlasting covenant to be God to you and to your offspring after you . This promise of true Israel is broken down by the Apostle Paul in Romans 9-11 . We have a new and better covenant than that which was established on the law of Moses .
LennyThe promise to Abraham came before the law and the promise was Christ , our Lord and Messiah 1 Corinthians 3.16 says Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you ? If anyone destroys God's temple , god will destroy him , for God's temple is holy and you are that temple . But we still have to finish looking at our passage in Luke 21.27 . And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory . Now , when these things begin to take place , straighten up and raise your heads , because your redemption is drawing near . What do you imagine when you think of the Son of man coming in a cloud ? If you're like me , I used to imagine that in a very literal way , much like the resurrection of the dead on the last day . I would have taken these passages for their literal meaning . Why do we do these things ? Because we're taught to by our leaders . But the real question is what would the ancient Hebrews or the people that were listening to Christ Yeshua think about what he was saying ? I hate to keep repeating myself , but if we examine our scriptures , which we have full access to these days in books or audio , we would find that our Heavenly Father Yahweh could be given the nickname Cloud Rider , as it is mentioned so many times in scripture that you can easily lose track of how many . When Yahweh came in on the clouds , he meant business . By saying this , christ declared himself as Lord and pronounced his coming in glory . He left being mocked and shamed , but would come back in full power . He did try and warn the teachers of law and Pharisees about this many times , as did the apostles , but one moment really sticks out in my mind . It was when Christ handed himself over to be questioned by the Jewish leaders . Matthew 26 , 57 , we read Then . Those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas , the high priest , where the scribes and the elders were gathered , and Peter was following him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest , and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end .
LennyNow the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death , but they found none , though many false witnesses came forward At last . Two came forward and said this man said I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days . And the high priest stood up and said have you no answer to make ? What is that ? These men testify against you . But Jesus remained silent and the high priest said to him I adjure you , by the living God , tell us if you are the Christ , the Son of God . Jesus said to him you have said so , but I tell you , from now on you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven . Then the high priest tore his robes and said he has uttered blasphemy .
LennyWhat further witness do we need ? You have now heard his blasphemy . What is your judgment ? They answered he deserves death . Then they spit in his face and struck him , and some slapped him saying Prophesy to us , you , christ . Who is it that struck you , christ ? Yeshua warned them the cloud rider was coming , and he was the cloud rider . He literally told the Jewish leaders exactly what would soon take place as a result of their doing . Most of us today have no idea what he meant by this , but the Pharisees no doubt knew what he was saying . They displayed this knowledge with their reaction . Prophesy to us , you , christ . Who is it that struck you ? Yes , they mocked him and killed him nonetheless , but make no mistake , this was all part of God's plan .
LennyAs we read in 1 Corinthians 2.8, . None of the rulers of this age understood this , for if they had , they would not have crucified the Lord of glory . They thought they were putting a stop to Christ and his ministry . But they were finishing his work . Getting back to Luke 21-29 , and he told them a parable Look at the fig tree and all the trees as soon as they come out and leaf , you see for yourselves and know that summer is already near . So also , when you see these things taking place , you know that the kingdom of God is near . Truly , I say to you , this generation will not pass away until all has taken place . Heaven and earth will pass away , but my words will not pass away . And that generation did not pass away until all those things had taken place . As is written , and the words of Christ are still alive to this day . Christ Yeshua is the living word of God , now and forever . And the last day occurred in AD 70 with the destruction of the temple . Is it a coincidence that the exodus of national Israel out of Egypt was also a 40-year time period , with miracles , signs and wonders that ended with the destruction of a great building and entering into a promised land ? No , no , no , no , no . I will let you be the judge on that one .
LennyLet's finish up this section of Luke's writing , luke 21 , 34 . Yeshua said 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 stand before the Son of man . We see here that the Son of man would be there , the judgment was underway and Christ would be coming to bring his people into heaven , as is written . Why do we not hear of these things happening ? Why is it not written ?
LennyThe second coming was spiritual . That is why these spiritual events were not observed with the eyes . There is not one passage in scripture that tells us that Christ Yeshua would return in the flesh . That's a notion that was assumed , based on a poor interpretation of scripture , combined with ideas planted in our minds by mankind , not our Lord . I really hope you are beginning to see what time it really is .
LennyMost of our Christian world today is waiting for some big event to occur that has already happened . Much like my wife and I didn't realize daylight savings and the government-mandated time change had occurred , most of the Christian world today doesn't realize they're living in the new covenant age . They're waiting for Christ to raise the dead . Many even believe a third temple needs to be built and the law will be established again in Israel , making the nation holy again . When my wife and I came to church that morning , not realizing the Thank you . Everyone who holds to a coming rapture teaching owes it to themselves to investigate where that teaching has come from . Where did the doctrine originate ? If you do , you'll find that those behind the establishment of Israel in 1948 were also responsible for the worldwide distribution of the famous Schofield Study Bible that started this thing in the first place .
LennyIt's a political movement . It's evil and it's anti-Christ . Our Lord is not the author of the war crimes of our day . There's nothing going on out there right now that has anything to do with the prophecy in our scripture . We can rest in that Righteousness now reigns through Christ Yeshua . The law is no longer and will never be again . There is only belief and unbelief in Christ or in Adam , faithful and unfaithful , sinner and saint , spiritually alive and spiritually dead . Christ and antichrist .
Living in Christ
LennyJust as our Lord told us in John 3 , verse 3 , there's only one way to see the kingdom of God , and when you trust in Christ Yeshua , he comes to live his life in and through you . You are in him and he is in you . That's right . Christ isn't just sitting around up in heaven . He is alive and well in each and every Christian . Every time a new believer puts their trust in Christ . It's as if Christ Yeshua is saying I'm back , baby , don't forget about the time . Change my friends . Set your clocks forward . The new covenant age is here .
announcementThank you for listening To the Waking Up To Grace podcast Brought to you by the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ . If you enjoyed today's episode , we would love to hear from you . You can send encouragement our way Right from our episodes and transcripts page , or reach Lenny privately from the contact form at wakinguptogracecom .