August 6, 2026 · David Farmer
When Redemption Draws Near
““...people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 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.””
Luke 21:26-28 →
## Powers
Jesus ends the preceding verses with a comment about the “times of the Gentiles” being fulfilled in reference to Jerusalem’s destruction and it being “trampled underfoot by Gentiles”. He said earlier the earth would be shaken. Now He says not the heavens themselves, but: “...the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” Paul instructs the Christian to put on the Armor of God, because we fight against “cosmic powers” and “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). Yet, they cannot “separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38). Better yet still:“...Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to Him.” (1 Peter 3:21-22). Presently, Jerusalem is still trampled underfoot by Gentiles and the cosmic powers and spiritual forces guiding them. But these powers and the roaring rioting sea of man are subject to Jesus’ authority, and His authority will be expressed at the coming of the Son of Man.
## The Power of Powers
Last devotional we talked about being known by God by calling on the name of Jesus. The devotion before spoke of persecution from the world over claiming that name. One may wonder when the day will come that reveals who is really in control. While the Bible calls Jesus the King of kings and the Lord of lords, He is the Power of all powers. The hope of all Christians is hinged on the great and glorious day of the Lord when He will appear and
transform our temporary bodies into eternal vessels able to stand in God’s presence forever.
## Self-Check
It is then that the terrors and fears of this world will be lost; the cosmic powers dismayed at their weakness. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, 8 “Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to Him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed… For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first… And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of His mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of His coming.”
## Summer Is Here