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Commentaries
English
Luke
  
54Then He also said to the multitudes, "Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is.55And when you see the south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is.56Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?57Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?58When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.59I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have paid the very last mite."


The western wind brings rain to Palestine, whereas the wind of the south brings on it sandstorms and oppressive heat. Every peasant knows this fact from his earliest youth, and acts accordingly. Yet, when John came with his hot preaching of repentance, and Christ rained on the thirsty with the rain of the gospel, the multitudes did not understand the symbols of time, and remained foolish and stony. Christ called them "hypocrites", for they raced to John and accepted the baptism, but the were not converted, and they did not live according to the Spirit of God.
Today, this holy storm blows against our nation, and many other nations of the world. The rain of grace will fall on him who allows the word of God to cultivate his heart that he may bear much fruit. But he who neglects the age of grace has to get ready for God’s judgment including its hotness and accountability. The signs of time are clear. Do you discern them, dear brother? Today you live in the age of grace, but the hour of judgment is approaching. What are you going to do?
Christ is giving you the last advice before the coming of the Day of Judgment: Get rid of your offenses toward God while there is still time. Do you hate anyone, or have you sinned to anyone? Hurry to him and become reconciled with him. Bow down and ask God and men’ forgiveness. Christ died on the cross, forgave your sins, and finished the salvation of the world. Accept his redemption, live faithfully in Christ, and rejoice prayerfully in your brokenness, for God is still bestowing favors upon you and upon all those who seek him.
But whenever you neglect the time of grace, condemnation comes upon you as death. The Lord’s ministers will bring you from your hiding place, and your faults will appear clearly before the throne of God. Nothing of your good deeds will remain before him but sins, for God is holy. Choose the absolute grace in Christ’s blood and Spirit, and you will receive God’s righteousness and become his own. If you continue in your negligence and obstinacy, you will bring upon yourself destruction, torment, and hell for refusing the grace, hardheartedness, and incomplete preparedness for reconciliation. Repent. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.

Prayer
O Lord Jesus, thank you for your gospel, your reconciliation, and your holy love. We glorify you because you are the only Savior. Fill me with your Spirit that I may accept your grace completely. Open my eyes to the flow of your power that I may live in your name. Bless my neighbors and friends one by one that they may be saved with me and changed in their behavior into the purity of love and revealed truth. Amen.
Question
What is the meaning of the fire sent from heaven, and the sword of Christ?