John Calvin Commentary Luke 21:28

"But when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads; because your redemption draweth nigh." — Luke 21:28 (ASV)

And when these things begin to take place. Luke expresses more clearly the consolation by which Christ animates the minds of his followers. Although this sentence contains nothing different from the words of Matthew, which we have just now explained, it shows better for what purpose the angels will come, as we are told, to gather the elect.

For it was necessary to contrast the joy of the godly with the general sorrow and distress of the world, and to point out the difference between them and the reprobate, so that they might not view with horror the coming of Christ.

We know that Scripture, when it speaks not only of the last judgment but also of all the judgments God executes every day, describes them in a variety of ways, depending on whether the discourse is addressed to believers or to unbelievers.

To what purpose is the day of the LORD to you? says the prophet Amos (Amos 5:18).

It is a day of darkness and gloominess,¹⁵⁴ not of light; of sorrow, not of joy; of destruction, not of salvation. On the other hand, Zechariah 9:9 tells the daughter of Zion rejoice on account of the coming of her King; and justly, for—as Isaiah 35:4 tells us—the same day which brings wrath and vengeance to the reprobate brings goodwill and redemption to believers.

Christ therefore shows that at his coming, the light of joy will arise on his disciples, so that they may rejoice in the approaching salvation, while the wicked are overwhelmed with terror.

Accordingly, Paul distinguishes them by this mark: that they wait for the day or coming of the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:7), for that which is their crown, perfect happiness, and solace is delayed until that day (2 Timothy 4:8).

It is therefore called redemption here , because we shall then truly and perfectly obtain the consequences of the deliverance obtained through Christ.

Let our ears, therefore, be attentive to the sound of the angel’s trumpet, which will then sound not only to strike the reprobate with the dread of death but also to arouse the elect to a second life; that is, to call to the enjoyment of life those whom the Lord now gives life to by the voice of his Gospel.

For it is a sign of unbelief to be afraid when the Son of God comes in person for our salvation.

¹⁵⁴ Our author — quoting from memory, as he frequently does — appears to have incorporated the words of the prophet Amos, (5:18,) ,) To what end is it for you? the day of the Lord is darkness, and not light, with a parallel passage in Joel, (with a parallel passage in Joel, (2:1, 2) for ) for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand; a day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness. — — Ed.