Lift Up Your Heads

Q

In Luke 21:28 Jesus tells us when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

My question is how can we define nigh, did Jesus mean nigh in God’s perspective of nigh? Should we conclude that God’s nigh is the same as we interpret nigh? Is it possible that when Jesus says nigh he can mean a period of ten years or more, twenty years? I know we can not know for certain, but I would appreciate your insight on this.

A

There are two events in view in Luke 21:25-28, the End Times judgments and our redemption. While one will happen before the other, I don’t think the Lord’s intent was to reveal a direct relationship between them, at least from a standpoint of specific timing.

Rather, He was placing them in contrast. In verses 25-27 He described the terrible fear and apprehension men would experience at the End of the Age, speaking of them in the third person. Then He switched to the second person saying, “When these things begin to take place stand up and lift up your heads because your redemption is drawing near.”

In other words, while the unbelieving world is beginning to fear the worst, believers should be preparing for the best. As Paul said, “God did not appoint us to suffer wrath, but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thes. 5:9)