“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
— Luke 21:28
Yeshua spoke these words while describing troubling events that would precede His return. His message to His followers was one of courage: when the world becomes fearful, remember what Yahweh has promised.
The troubles of this age will end. Yeshua will return, the dead will be raised, and His faithful people will receive the fullness of their redemption.
1. “When these things begin to happen”
To understand Luke 21:28, we must read the surrounding passage.
In Luke 21:7–24, Yeshua describes deception, wars, earthquakes, famines, persecution, and Jerusalem’s devastation. In verses 25–27, He describes distress among nations, fearful heavenly signs, and His coming in power and glory.
“And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”
— Luke 21:27, KJV
The chapter includes warnings concerning Jerusalem as well as the coming of the Son of Man. We should read these statements carefully and remember, not every troubling headline establishes a prophetic date.
Yeshua Himself cautioned:
“But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.”
— Luke 21:9, KJV
Wars and upheaval call for faithfulness, but they do not give us permission to announce a date for His return.
Related scriptures:
- Matthew 24:4–8: Beware of deception; wars and disasters are the beginning of sorrows.
- Matthew 24:29–31: After the tribulation, the Son of Man appears and gathers His elect.
- Mark 13:24–27: Yeshua comes with power and glory.
- Matthew 24:36: The Father alone knows the day and hour.
Lesson: Understand the warnings without surrendering to fear or speculation.
2. “Look up and lift up your heads”
Yeshua contrasts the fear of the world with the hope of His disciples.
Luke 21:26 describes people overcome with fear because of what is coming upon the earth. Yet His followers are told to lift their heads.
This does not mean suffering will be easy or that believers will never feel afraid. It means that fear does not have to govern us. Our future rests in Yahweh’s hands.
David expressed this confidence:
“But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.”
— Psalm 3:3, KJV
Yahweh is the One who lifts the bowed head. He sees His people when they are weary, grieving, or overwhelmed.
Related scriptures:
- Psalm 121:1–2: Our help comes from the Maker of heaven and earth.
- Isaiah 35:3–4: Strengthen weak hands and fearful hearts; Yahweh will come and save.
- John 14:1–3: Yeshua tells His disciples not to let their hearts be troubled and promises to return.
- 2 Corinthians 4:16–18: Present affliction must be viewed in the light of eternal things.
Lesson: We lift our heads because we trust the One who has promised to deliver us.
3. “Your redemption draws near”
Redemption carries the idea of deliverance or release. Scripture speaks both of the redemption believers already have through Yeshua’s sacrifice and of a future redemption still awaited.
Ephesians 1:7 teaches that through His blood we have redemption and forgiveness of sins. Yet Ephesians 4:30 also speaks of “the day of redemption.”
Paul explains this future hope:
“And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”
— Romans 8:23, KJV
We still experience weakness, aging, sickness, temptation, and grief. At Yeshua’s return, redemption will include the transformation of our mortal bodies.
Related scriptures:
- Romans 8:11: Yahweh, who raised Yeshua, will also give life to His people’s mortal bodies through His Spirit.
- 1 Corinthians 15:51–54: At the last trumpet, the dead are raised incorruptible and the living faithful are changed.
- Philippians 3:20–21: Yeshua will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.
- 1 John 3:2: When He appears, we shall be like Him.
Lesson: Our hope reaches beyond surviving today. We await resurrection, transformation, and everlasting life.
4. Redemption includes the resurrection of those who sleep
For those grieving a loved one, the promise of redemption has deep personal meaning.
Yeshua described death as sleep when speaking of Lazarus:
“Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.”
— John 11:11, KJV
The passage then explains plainly that Yeshua was speaking of Lazarus’s death (John 11:13–14).
Paul connects the awakening of those who sleep with Yeshua’s return:
“For the Master himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of Yahweh: and the dead in Messiah shall rise first.”
— 1 Thessalonians 4:16, divine names adapted
Paul concludes:
“Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
— 1 Thessalonians 4:18, KJV
The promised resurrection gives us a reason to lift our heads even through tears. Death does not place our loved ones beyond Yahweh’s power to awaken them.
Related scriptures:
- Daniel 12:2: Those sleeping in the dust of the earth will awake.
- John 5:28–29: Those in the graves will hear Yeshua’s voice and come forth.
- John 11:23–25: Yeshua promises resurrection and identifies Himself as the resurrection and the life.
- 1 Corinthians 15:20–23: Yeshua is the firstfruits; those who belong to Him are raised at His coming.
Lesson: We grieve, but we have the sure promise that Yahweh can restore life.
5. “The Kingdom of Yahweh is near”
After telling His followers to lift their heads, Yeshua gives the illustration of trees putting forth leaves. Just as new growth signals the approach of summer, the fulfillment of His warnings points toward the Kingdom.
“So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.”
— Luke 21:31, KJV
Our redemption is connected to His coming reign. The answer to the world’s injustice, violence, and corruption is the establishment of Yahweh’s Kingdom.
Related scriptures:
- Daniel 2:44: Yahweh establishes a Kingdom that will never be destroyed.
- Isaiah 2:2–4: The nations learn His ways and cease learning war.
- Isaiah 11:1–9: The promised ruler judges righteously, and the earth becomes full of the knowledge of Yahweh.
- Revelation 11:15: The kingdoms of this world become the Kingdom of Yahweh and His Messiah.
Lesson: We look forward to a world governed in righteousness under Yeshua.
6. Looking up does not mean escaping every trial
Yeshua’s encouragement appears in a chapter that also warns His followers about persecution.
Luke 21:12–19 describes betrayal, imprisonment, hatred, and even the deaths of some believers. His promise therefore cannot mean that every faithful person will be spared suffering or physical death.
The hope is greater: no persecution can cancel Yahweh’s promise of resurrection and everlasting life.
“In your patience possess ye your souls.”
— Luke 21:19, KJV
This calls for steadfast endurance.
Related scriptures:
- John 16:33: In the world His disciples face tribulation, but Yeshua has overcome the world.
- Matthew 24:13: The one who endures to the end will be saved.
- Revelation 14:12: The saints are characterized by endurance, keeping Yahweh’s commandments, and faith in Yeshua.
- Romans 8:35–39: Tribulation, persecution, and death cannot separate His people from His love.
Lesson: Our confidence rests in His ultimate deliverance, even when the path includes suffering.
7. How should we live while we wait?
Yeshua follows His promise with practical instructions:
“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life…”
— Luke 21:34, KJV
He then commands:
“Watch ye therefore, and pray always…”
— Luke 21:36, KJV
Watching includes paying attention to our own spiritual condition. We can become so absorbed in fear, daily burdens, or worldly pleasures that we neglect prayer and obedience.
We prepare by:
- Praying continually: Bring fears, needs, and decisions before Yahweh. — 1 Thessalonians 5:17
- Walking in obedience: Love for Yahweh includes keeping His commandments. — 1 John 5:3
- Remaining sober and alert: Live as children of the light. — 1 Thessalonians 5:4–8
- Encouraging one another: Strengthen fellow believers as the Day approaches. — Hebrews 10:23–25
- Doing good faithfully: Continue the work entrusted to us. — Galatians 6:9–10
Lesson: Expecting Yeshua’s return should produce a faithful life today.
8. Hope that steadies the heart
Luke 21:28 does not provide a calendar date. It provides a reason for courage.
When the world is troubled, remember His promise. When grief bows your head, remember the resurrection. When you feel weary from enduring, remember that Yahweh has not forgotten His people.
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”
— Luke 21:28, KJV
The One who tells us to lift our heads is the One who will return. Our redemption rests on His faithfulness.
Prayer
Father Yahweh, when troubling events and personal sorrow weigh upon us, help us lift our heads in faith. Keep us from deception, strengthen us to obey You, and teach us to watch and pray. Comfort those who mourn with Your promise of resurrection. Help us endure faithfully as we await Yeshua’s return and the fullness of our redemption. In Yeshua’s name, amen.
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