What does Luke 21:28 mean?

Jesus finishes His prophecies on the highest point possible. Yes, the temple and Jerusalem will fall. The disciples will be persecuted, arrested, and killed—sometimes by friends and family. The world will be engulfed in war and disaster. Even the most stable and powerful pieces of creation—the sun, moon, stars, and sea—will torment the people. And Satan and the demons will grow in power (Luke 21:5–26).

But then Jesus will return, the Son of Man, with all the glory, power, and authority described in Daniel 7:13–14. He will redeem His people, rescue them, and rule the world.

So, when the persecution, the natural and the supernatural disasters, and even the tribulation come, Jesus' people know what to do. Don't be afraid. Stand tall. Be alert. Jesus is coming.

Jesus shares these prophecies because when He mentioned the temple was going to be destroyed, the disciples asked for signs so they could anticipate what was to come. The signs will be obvious to anyone who is paying attention. If they can look at the leaves of a fig tree and determine that summer is coming, they can look at the world and sense the kingdom of God is near (Luke 21:29–33).

Jesus finishes with His main concern: how His followers act now considering what will come. We must not fall into a life of sin but make the best use of our time. Remember that we are citizens of God's kingdom. Do not be caught unawares and lose heart. Stay awake so we can stand when Jesus returns (Luke 21:34–36).