Chapter
Verse

Luke 21:25

ESV "And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,
NIV "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.
NASB There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,
CSB "Then there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and there will be anguish on the earth among nations bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
NLT And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides.
KJV And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
NKJV “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;

What does Luke 21:25 mean?

Jesus has mentioned that the temple is going to be destroyed. The disciples asked what signs will precede that event (Luke 21:6–7). In response, Jesus begins with a synopsis of disasters that will occur between the temple's destruction and His second coming: false messiahs will deceive people, war will break out across the world, and natural and supernatural disasters will afflict humanity (Luke 21:8–11). Jesus then describes in greater detail three things to look for: His followers will be persecuted (Luke 12:12–19), Jerusalem will be destroyed (Luke 21:20–24), and He will return to judge the world and save His followers (Luke 21:25–28).

This third section includes a short list of what will take place during the tribulation, especially the end. Jesus' words strongly reflect Old Testament warnings (Isaiah 13:9–10; Ezekiel 32:7–8; Joel 2:10; 3:15).

John will later describe these events. The sun will be darkened and the moon will look like blood (Revelation 6:12–13). A third of the light of the sun, moon, and stars will go out (Revelation 8:12). The sun will burn with intense heat (Revelation 16:8–9) then turn to complete darkness (Revelation 16:10–11). A burning mountain will turn a third of the sea into blood (Revelation 8:8). Everything in the sea will die (Revelation 16:3).

The people living in those days will be in such distress they will beg the mountains to fall on them, to hide them from Jesus' wrath (Revelation 6:15–17). For those who refuse to repent, it will mean the end (Revelation 19:11–21), but for Jesus' followers, it will be their redemption (Luke 21:28).
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