Bible Passage

Literal Summary

Points of Consideration

Luke 21:12

But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

Jesus clearly lets us know what is in store when He returns, and it does not seem appealing.

Someone is going to be brought before kings and rulers.

Someone is going to be persecuted and be delivered in a synagogue.

Someone is going to prison.

These terrible things will happen in His name's sake.

I believe this passage is literal. We must consider the possibility that most of the world may not know that these events have happened until they are completed. For instance, if Jesus returned and these persecutions happened in a place and time that was not exploited by media and paparazzi, we will have to look at historical records to see if they actually took place or not.

We should not automatically assume he is only referring to Christians, because it depends on who recognizes Him upon His return.

Luke 21:13

And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

The passage above will turn to you (us) for a testimony.

When the events of the previous passage take or (took) place, it will not be a secret. Thus the key words turn to you    (shown to us) and testimony (truth.) 

But yet, God would not allow these things to happen in a way that modern day media could sensationalize in real time= TV and internet.

A testimony is revealed after something happens, sometimes years later.

Luke 21:16

And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.

Jesus shares the unfortunate news that we will have to expect betrayal from any and everyone, and it may even lead to our own deaths.

Those who see through the clouds of His return will be few and far between and the literal minded masses will not take kindly to anyone, family or not, who says anything contrary to the mainstream corporate/church state organizers of religion(s).

Luke 21:17

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.

The new followers of the glory of God  (the return of Jesus) will be hated.

Every messenger / prophet of God, and His followers have suffered (and will probably continue to suffer in the future) from hatred. During Jesus' ministry, He was initially hated by many and it took several hundred years before people's hearts were cleansed enough to fully grasp what happened centuries ago.

Biblical Passage

Literal Summary

Points of Consideration

Luke 21:18

But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

We will be persecuted and killed but our hair will look good?

Although the killings and persecutions will unfortunately be a reality, the hair on our head = the crown of the truth of God's new revelation will not perish.

Like Jesus' first ministry, although the odds were heavily stacked against it's success, the ministry of His second coming also will not perish. It will grow and flourish !!!

Luke 21:19

In your patience possess ye your souls.

Jesus prompts us to have patience in order to possess our souls?

Jesus comforts us, by getting us to focus on the big picture as usual. The most important thing, as a result of all the hardships that will be faced surrounding the life and times of his second coming = the end time, is the progress of our spirit / soul.