This passage can and has caused much confusion among Christians, and to be honest, it can be a difficult one. Jesus is talking about the “already, but not yet” nature of the kingdom, where the kingdom of God is here with the arrival of the Messiah; however, the consummation of the kingdom will not be immediate and in a way that one might expect.

[Luke 17.20-37]

20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”

22 And he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23 And they will say to you, ‘Look, there!’ or ‘Look, here!’ Do not go out or follow them. 24 For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. 25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. 26 Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, 29 but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all— 30 so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day, let the one who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it. 34 I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left. 35 There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken and the other left.” 37 And they said to him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.”

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What did the Pharisees ask? Why is it important?

+ What is Jesus’ answer?

+ What does Jesus describe to the disciples?

+ What days is he talking about? The crucifixion, the end times, or both?

+ Reread the story of Noah and compare what Jesus is talking about.

+ Reread the story of Lot and compare.

+ What does Jesus warn?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ How can you proclaim the gospel to those in need?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?