A Chiastic Reconfiguration Of "The Olivet Discourse" in Luke 21

Kuruvilla Thomas
Bangalore
Published on 20 November 2024 *

Fig. 1

Introduction

This study treats the "Olivet Discourse" in Luke 21 as a cryptochiasmus in order to arrive at a coherent reconfiguration of the text. Text that is structured as a cryptochiasmus must be rearranged based on certain principles to be correctly interpreted. A cryptochiasmus is a new concept; see definition in [1]. If you wish to skip the technicalities of a chiastic parse, you may read starting from Section 4 of the Discussion section, which has the reconfigured text.

The Olivet Discourse is clearly an interweaving of predictions regarding different times into one narrative, and with this chiastic reconstruction, we will show that this prophecy from Jesus makes predictions about three distinct periods. The content of this passage is similar to the Olivet Discourses in Matthew 24 [6] and in Mark 13 [12].

Note:
We will use the term "Judahite" to refer to the Israelites - primarily those of the tribe of Judah and their descendants - that remained after the Assyrian exile of the Northern Tribes; we will try to avoid the term "Jew" to avoid the confusion it introduces.

Discussion

1. Presuppositions

In the Olivet passage in Matthew 24, the disciples ask Jesus three questions (Matt 24:3): when will this happen (the destruction of the temple), what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age? Jesus' prophetic reply is regarding the three Periods listed below:

1. The Second Half of The First Jewish–Roman War (70AD–73AD). From the Roman attack on Jerusalem to the end of the war.
2. The Tribulation Period before Christ's Millennial Reign (from the 2nd Seal to 2027AD). The tribulation and persecution of this Period come from Satan through his human worshippers. This Period begins at the opening of the 2nd Seal (see Rev. 6:3-4). The 2027AD date for the start of the Millennial Reign is from our parse of Isaiah 60-62 [10].
3. The Start of the End-Times Tribulation (unknown date before 2967AD). Christ returns in glory at the beginning of the End-Times Tribulation to gather up the faithful in the rapture. The tribulation of this Period comes from God and His angels. The c. 2967AD date for the End of the Age is from our parse of Daniel 10-12 [8].

2. Parsing the chiasmus

We will use the NIV translation for this parse.

Parsing this chiasmus involves dividing the text into three categories as above. We will call the period of the First Jewish-Roman War Period 1, the time of the Pre-Millennial Tribulation Period 2 and the time of the End-Times Tribulation Period 3.

Categorizing Luke 21:10-36

Vs 10-19 belong to Period 2. Wars, famines, earthquakes, fearful events, signs in the heavens. Christians must stay faithful through persecution and betrayal. ( Note that we treat the previous passage, vs 8-9, as an introductory passage, as it does not "fit" the chiasmus of this Period - it does not have a corresponding subunit - even though we have categorized passages similar to vs 8-9 in the Olivet passages in Matthew 24 and Mark 13 as belonging to this Period.)

Vs 20-23a belong to Period 1. The Judahites are warned to flee as soon as they see the Roman army in Jerusalem.

Vs 23b belong to Period 3. The start of the End-Times Tribulation will be a period of great political upheaval. We categorize this short passage as belonging to Period 3 based on similar parses for the Olivet passages in Matthew 24 and Mark 13.

Vs 24a belong to Period 1. The few Judahites that are not killed by the Romans are taken into exile.

Vs 24b belongs to Period 2. Israel ("Jerusalem") will be trampled on by the Gentiles until this Period 2.

Vs 25-28 belong to Period 3. Great signs and terror in the physical realm. The powers of heaven are shaken. Christ appears in glory and the faithful are redeemed through the rapture.

Vs 29-31 belong to Period 2. The parable of the fig tree. Christ's Millennial Reign will soon begin.

Vs 32 belongs to Period 1. The phrase "this generation will not pass away..." points to a period within one generation (around 40 years) of Jesus' time.

Vs 33 belong to Period 2. Christ reassures the faithful that the Messiah will indeed come as a saviour.

Vs 34-36 belong to Period 3. For the unrighteous, Christ's abrupt coming will be like a trap that closes without warning - they will not be raptured and they will face the Final Tribulation.

Original text

We color-code the chiastic units of the original text (NIV) below for easy visual identification using: red for Period 1, blue for Period 2, green for Period 3, and purple for text outside the chiasmus. We have retranslated parts of the text.

Chapter 21 5 Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6 “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” 7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”
8 He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”

10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
12 “Now above [a] all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13 And so you will bear testimony to me. 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 Stand firm, and you will win life.
20 “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let [b] those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. 23a How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!
23b There will be great distress in the earth [c] and wrath against this people.
24a They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations.
24b Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens [d] will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
32 “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be overcome with dissipation and drunkenness for the worries of this world. Now [e] that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 Indeed [f] it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

Retranslation notes for Luke 21
[a] vs 12 "Now above" instead of "But before".
[b] vs 21 "mountains. Let" instead of "mountains, let". Changed punctuation for the chiasmus.
[c] vs 23 "earth" instead of "land".
[d] vs 26 "powers of the heavens" instead of "heavenly bodies".
[e] vs 34 "overcome with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this world. Now" instead of "weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and".
[f] vs 35 "Indeed" instead of "For".

3. Building the reconfigured text

From this parse, it appears that verses 10-36 form a cryptochiasmus as below:

A1   10-19 Period 2. Wars and persecution
  B1   20-23a Period 1. Jerusalem surrounded by armies. Flee to the mountains
    X   23b Period 3. Great distress on earth
  B2   24a Period 1. The Romans kill and enslave the Judahites
A2   24b Period 2. Israel is restored

We now reconstruct the passages in the right order based on the chiastic structure above and based on the ordering rules of a cryptochiasmus [1].

We usually lead with the pivot point but for this reconstruction we will add the central pivot point 'X' at the end, so that we get another chiasmus with the rest of the prophecy. The corresponding subunits (For ex., subunit A1 corresponds to A2) are placed contiguously to form units (For ex., A1,A2 is a unit ) so that we get a list of such units.

The sequence selected for rearrangement is:

[B1,B2]  [A1,A2]  X        (1)

Note: We choose the reverse order for our units so that we get another cryptochiasmus with the rest of the prophecy.

We have the following sequence when we include the next 3 subunits of the prophecy:
[B1,B2] - Period 1
[A1,A2] - Period 2
X         - Period 3
v 25-28 - Period 3. Christ appears in glory
v 29-31 - Period 2. The parable of the fig tree
v 32 - Period 1. This generation will not pass away

We still have text for the Periods in a non-contiguous form. We treat this as a multiply-applied cryptochiasmus as below:

M1   [B1,B2] Period 1
  N1   [A1,A2] Period 2
   XX   X, v 25-28 Period 3
  N2   v 29-31 Period 2
M2   v 32 Period 1

The sequence selected for rearrangement is:
XX  [N1,N2]  [M1,M2]        (2)

Translating this sequence (2) into the sub-units of the first chiasmus, we get:

[X, v 25-28]  [[A1,A2], v 29-31]  [[B1,B2], v 32]         (3)

Further translating (3) into verse numbers, we get:

[23b,25-28]  [[10-19,24b], 29-31]  [[20-23a,24a],32]        (4)

Below, we have another 2 subunits of the prophecy that remain to be integrated into the reconfiguration:

v 33 - Period 2. My words will never pass away
v 34-36 - Period 3. Christ's return will be unexpected

These subunits are in the sequence Period 2, Period 3. The units in (2) above will form a chiasmus with these two subunits so that the Periods are in the sequence [3,2,1,2,3], and this chiasmus can be reconfigured.

But we eschew the lengthy and complex formalism of a chiastic reconfiguration and, instead, use the expedient of appending the subunits to the Period to which they belong in (4), so that we get (5) below.

[[23b,25-28],34-36]  [[10-19,24b], 29-31, 33]  [[20-23a,24a],32]        (5)

Finally, we rearrange these units, so they are in chronological sequence.

[[20-23a,24a],32]  [[10-19,24b], 29-31, 33]  [[23b,25-28],34-36]        (6)

We arrive at the reconfigured passage in the next section by rearranging the verses so they are in sequence (6).

4. Luke 21:10-36 Reconfigured

Period 1. The Second Half of The First Jewish–Roman War (70AD–73AD) (vs. 20-23a,24a,32)

Period 2. The Tribulation Period before Christ's Millennial Reign (from the 2nd Seal to 2027AD) (vs 10-19, 24b, 29-31, 33)

Chiasmus 1: Pre-Millennial Tribulation


Chiasmus 2: The Coming of the Messiah and the Restoration of Israel

Period 3. The Start of the End-Times Tribulation (unknown date before 2967AD) (vs. 23b, 25-28, 34-36)

Chiasmus 1: Christ returns in Glory


Chiasmus 2: No one knows when Christ will return for the rapture

5. A Commentary on the Reconfigured Text

5.1 Introductory statements (vs. 5-9)

5 Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6 “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”

The disciples were admiring the magnificent temple at Jerusalem, that Herod built, when Jesus predicted that the temple will be completely destroyed. This prediction that "not one stone here will be left on another" came true, quite literally, in 70 AD.

7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

At the Mount of Olives, which overlooks the temple, the disciples ask for signs that indicate when Jesus' prophecies will take place. This passage is a summary of the questions detailed in Matthew 24:3, in which the disciples ask three questions regarding three periods; as we see below, Jesus gives them details on all three periods and answers the questions about the signs in three different ways:

• When will this happen? (the destruction of the temple): Jesus gives a definite sign for the immediate start of this time of tribulation that ends in the devastation of Jerusalem and its temple in Period 1 - the Roman army at Jerusalem.
• What will be the sign of the coming age of Christ?: A set of signs will indicate that the identity of the Messiah of the Millennial Reign will be revealed shortly.
• What will the be sign of the end of the age?: There will be no sign at all for the coming of Christ for the rapture in Period 3.

8 He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”

Jesus exhorts Christians to show discernment when it comes to these prophecies. In the millennia between Jesus at his First Coming and Period 2 (at the opening of the 2nd Seal shortly before 2027AD), many false messiah's will deceive many with false doctrines. There will be wars and predictions of devastating conflicts, but these are not signs of the end (the "end" spoken of here is the end of Satan's reign in Period 2 - see also "the time of the end" in Daniel 12).

( Note that we have categorized similar passages in the Olivet discourses in Matthew 24 and Mark 13 as belonging to Period 2, but here we are compelled to place this passage in the introductory section.)

5.2 Period 1. The Second Half of The First Jewish–Roman War (70AD–73AD) (vs. 20-23a,24a,32)

This Period is arranged in the form of a single-unit chiasmus:

A1 20-21a The First Jewish–Roman War: The middle of the war (70AD)
    X 21b-23a The flight of the Christian Judahites (70AD)
A2 24a,32 The First Jewish–Roman War: The end of the war (73AD)


Subunit A1: The First Jewish–Roman War: The middle of the war (70AD) (vs 20-21a)

20 “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21a Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

The Roman army and its allies' arrival in Jerusalem is the sure sign indicating the immediate arrival of this period of tribulation for Jerusalem. Jesus exhorts his followers to flee the city and its surroundings on seeing this army, for the Romans had permission to kill all the Judahites in Jerusalem and destroy the city and its temple. This passage answers the question "when will this happen?" in Matt. 24:3. (For more details on this Period, see our paper on "The 70 weeks of Daniel" [2] and a history of the war in [3].)

Note that an "abomination that causes desolation" is mentioned in other Olivet discourses (Matt. 24:15, Mark 13:14) and Daniel (Dan. 9:27, 11:31, 12:11). This passage clarifies that the "abomination" is the Roman army at Jerusalem.

Pivot X: The flight of the Christian Judahites (70AD) (vs 21b-23a)

21b Let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city.

Jesus exhorts his followers to flee immediately on seeing the Roman soldiers. For a short period, as the Romans prepared to lay siege to Jerusalem, Judahites could enter the city, but Jesus warns his followers against doing so. The entire community of Christian Judahites must exit the city within a day. According to some historians, the Judahites fled to Pella [4] which is located at the foothills of the Transjordanian Mountains.

22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written.

Many prophecies in the Bible - notably all passages that are structured as cryptochiasmi (see, for ex. Daniel 9:26-27 in [2]) - predict this devastation of Jerusalem.

23a How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!

Jesus expresses concern over some of the practical problems the Judahites may face as they fled. Pregnant and nursing mothers would have found it particularly difficult to make this sudden, rushed journey to a refugee camp.

Subunit A2: The First Jewish–Roman War: The end of the war (73AD) (vs 24a,32)

24a They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations.

The Romans were ruthless and thorough in their efforts to annihilate the Judahites and destroy their land. The small number of Judahites in Judea who were not killed were exiled into slavery.

32 “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

This war took place within a generation from Jesus' time (around 40 years). The Judahites who converted to Christianity were the only people who moved from the Old Covenant to the New without a break. We surmise that it was necessary to kill off the Judahites who did not believe in Jesus within one generation to completely close the book on the Old Covenant.

5.3 Period 2. The Tribulation Period before Christ's Millennial Reign (from the 2nd Seal to 2027AD) (vs 10-19, 24b, 29-31, 33)

This Period is structured as a series of 2 chiasmi.

Chiasmus 1: Pre-Millennial Tribulation

The passage below in vs 10-19 is arranged in the form of a single-unit chiasmus:

A1 10-11 The beginning of the tribulation (between the 2nd Seal and the 5th Seal)
    X 12-15 The tribulation of the faithful during the reign of the Beast (from the 5th Seal to Apr 2027)
A2 16-19 The end of the tribulation (Apr 2027)


Subunit A1: The beginning of the tribulation (between the 2nd Seal and the 5th Seal) (vs 10-11)

10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

At the opening of the 2nd Seal of Rev. 6:3,4, the Rider on the Red Horse, the angel responsible for war, begins his work. Shortly after that at the opening of the 3rd Seal of Rev 6:5-6, the Rider on the Black Horse, who controls the world's economy, is also released. Through these riders, Satan unleashes great turmoil around the world, presumably so that the Beast and Antichrist of Rev 13 can come in as saviours of the earth. This turmoil takes many forms - international strife, famines, man-made earthquakes, fearful events, great signs from heaven etc.. ( Two of the events predicted here - great signs from heaven, fearful events - are not found in other Olivet prophecies.)

This passage seems to contradict the previous passage (vs 8-9), which indicates that wars are not a sign of the "end". However, it is only when all these things come together in an intense period of worldwide turmoil that you know the "end" is near.

Pivot X: The tribulation of the faithful during the reign of the Beast (from the 5th Seal to Apr 2027) (vs 12-15)

12 “Now above all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13 And so you will bear testimony to me.

At the opening of the 5th Seal of Rev. 6:9-11, Satan will be permitted to persecute the righteous. Christians will face persecution and inquisitions by authorities (we take "synagogue", which means "a place of assembly", to refer to a government council). The faithful will bear testimony to Christ at these inquiries, so that the Gospel is preached to the world, even as Christians are persecuted.

14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

Christians who are brought to trial during the reign of the Beast need not concern themselves about what to say. Through the Holy Spirit (the angels of God), Christ will guide the faithful in the defence their faith (see also Mark 13:11).

Subunit A2: The end of the tribulation (Apr 2027) (vs 16-19)

16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 Stand firm, and you will win life.

This subunit is regarding the aftermath of this time of spiritual battle and persecution for Christians. The righteous have been betrayed by their own family for the benefits they receive from doing so. Christianity and its adherents are hated by many. But those Christians who have patiently endured, even unto death, have saved their eternal soul ("you will win life") (see also Dan. 11:33-35, Rev 13:5-10, Matt 24:9-13). Satan's reign on earth ends at this time and Christ's begins.

The phrase, "not a hair of your head will perish", in vs 18, may seem to contradict "some of you will be put to death" in vs 16; however vs. 18 is regarding the spiritual realm and indicates that while the faithful may physically suffer and die, their souls will be completely unharmed and they will win everlasting life (see also Matthew 10:29-31).

Chiasmus 2: The Coming of the Messiah and the Restoration of Israel

The passage below in vs 24b,29-31,33 is arranged in the form of a single-unit chiasmus:

A1 24b These prophecies about the restoration of Israel will certainly come true
    X 29-31 The signs of the coming of the Messiah of the Millennial Reign
A2 33 These prophecies about the restoration of Israel will certainly come true


Subunit A1: These prophecies about the restoration of Israel will certainly come true (vs 24b)

24b Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

While Chiasmus 1 of this Period is for the Christians in the rest of the world, this chiasmus is primarily addressed to the Israelites. In 70AD, at the destruction of the temple, God had severed the connection between the Israelites and the land of Israel (Zech. 11:14), and after that all the Israelites lived in Gentile nations controlled by fallen angels (they were "trampled on by the Gentiles"). At the time detailed in the pivot X below ("summer"), Gentile control over the Israelites will end, and God will, through his Messiah, once again protect the land of the Israelites, the New Israel ("Jerusalem" synecdochically refers to all of Israel). ( Note that according to our parse of Daniel 9 [2], the Israelites had once again become God's chosen people in 1968/69.)

This passage replaces the sentence, "I have foretold to you all things.", in the Olivet Discourses in Matthew 24 (Matt 24:25) and Mark 13 (Mark 13:23b), so clarifying that "all things" in those passages refers to predictions about the restoration of Israel.

Pivot X: The signs of the coming of the Messiah of the Millennial Reign (vs 29-31)

29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

Just as sprouting leaves on trees in the spring indicate summer is coming soon, so also the signs of this Period indicate that the Messiah will soon appear to establish the kingdom of God in the New Israel. We take "these things" to be the events at the start of this Period - wars, famines, earthquakes, signs in heaven etc. (vs 10-11). We take the seasons indicated here to be literal - the signs of this Period will peak in spring and the Messiah will appear by the summer of that year (around the same time that the persecution of the faithful around the world begins). This passage answers the disciples second question in Matt 24:3, "What will be the sign of the coming age of Christ?".

The Messiah will take control over Israel for Christ ("kingdom of God") at this time ("summer"), and he will begin his reign over the whole world at the end of the reign of the Beast (Rev 19:11-16). This passage in Luke clarifies the meaning of this parable of the fig tree; it clearly states that the signs of this Period indicate that "the kingdom of God is near", while the versions of this passage in Matthew (Matt 24:33) and Mark (Mark 13:29) merely state that "he is near".

Subunit A2: These prophecies about the restoration of Israel will certainly come true (vs 33)

This Subunit continues from vs 24b in the corresponding Subunit A1 above.

33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Even the great heaven and earth will pass away (Rev 21:1), but Jesus' prophecies will all remain accurate. This passage serves to aver that Israel will indeed be restored under the Messiah.

5.4 Period 3 The Start of the End-Times Tribulation (unknown date before 2967AD) (vs. 23b, 25-28, 34-36)

This Period is structured as a series of 2 chiasmi.

Chiasmus 1: Christ returns in Glory

The passage below in vs 23b,25-28 is arranged in the form of a single-unit chiasmus:

A1 23b,25 Events in the physical realm at Christ's return (unknown date before 2967AD)
    X 26 Events in the spiritual realm at Christ's return (unknown date before 2967AD)
A2 27-28 Events in the physical realm at Christ's return (unknown date before 2967AD)

Subunit A1: Events in the physical realm at Christ's return (unknown date before 2967AD) (vs 23b,25)

23b There will be great distress in the earth and wrath against this people. 25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.

At the beginning of the End-Times Tribulation there will be unprecedented worldwide political upheaval ("great distress") (see also Dan. 12:1 in [8], Rev. 6:14-17). The "roaring and tossing of the sea" figuratively refers to this upheaval ("seas" typically represent masses of people in prophecy, as in Rev. 13:1) (see also, the "earthquakes" of Rev 6:12). There will be signs in the heavens that portend the coming of Christ in glory for the rapture (see also Matt. 24:30). The wicked of the earth ("this people") will face God's wrath at this time (see also Rev. 6:15-17).

Pivot X: Events in the spiritual realm at Christ's return (unknown date before 2967AD) (vs 26)

26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

The cause of this turmoil on earth is that the political structure of the fallen angels in heaven is dismantled. Satan's angels ("powers of the heavens") had controlled the nations outside the New Israel (Deut. 17:3, Luke 21:26); their reign ends and they face judgement (see Isaiah 24:21-23, Psalm 82:6-8 and the opening of the 6th seal Rev 6:12-14).

Subunit A2: Events in the physical realm at Christ's return (unknown date before 2967AD) (vs 27-28)

27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

At the start of the End-Times Tribulation, Jesus Christ (the "Son of Man" of this Period) will return in glory. Righteous Christians can rejoice ("stand up and lift up your heads"), for they will be gathered up in the rapture into the presence of God ("redemption") (see Rev 7:9-17). The "cloud" is a short-term transport mechanism between the spiritual and physical realms (see also Dan. 7:13, Rev 1:7) - Christ will immediately return to heaven with the raptured (Rev. 7:9).

Chiasmus 2: No one knows when Christ will return for the rapture

The passage below in vs 34-36 is arranged in the form of a single-unit chiasmus:

A1 34a Watch! For no one knows when Christ will return (unknown date before 2967AD)
    X 34b-35 Christ's coming for the rapture will be sudden, like a trap
A2 36 Watch! For no one knows when Christ will return (unknown date before 2967AD)

Subunit A1: Watch! For no one knows when Christ will return (unknown date before 2967AD) (vs 34a)

34a “Be careful, or your hearts will be overcome with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this world.

During the Millennial Reign, Christians are not turn to drunkenness and dissipation or become too distracted with the worries of life. Instead they must remain righteous and faithful to their Christian duties so that they are worthy of the rapture. This passage in Luke clarifies the meaning of corresponding passages in the other Olivet Discourses, that merely say "Watch!", "Be on guard! Be alert!" etc. (Matt 24:42, Mark 13:33-37).

Pivot X: Christ's coming for the rapture will be sudden, like a trap (vs 34b-35)

34b Now that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 Indeed it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth.

The return of Christ for the rapture will be sudden and unexpected, like a snare. Those caught in this trap, the wicked of the world, will face the End-Time Tribulation. This verse answers the disciples 3rd question in Matt 24;3, "What will the be sign of the end of the age?", for there will be no sign. ( The "Noah's ark" type in the Olivet Discourse in Matt 24 and the "absent house owner" parable in the Discourse in Mark 13 are replaced by the "suddenly closing trap" simile here.)

Subunit A2: Watch! For no one knows when Christ will return (unknown date before 2967AD) (vs 36)

36 Be always on the watch,
and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

Christians are exhorted to remain faithful stewards and to continually pray during the Millennial Reign, so that they are raptured and stand before Jesus (the "Son of Man") in heaven (see Rev 7:9-17), instead of facing the End-Times Tribulation.

Conclusion

With this chiastic reconfiguration, we have shown that this passage contains three interwoven prophecies, regarding times of great tribulation, in a complex chiastic design. This version of the Olivet Discourse in Luke clarifies the meaning of several passages in the other versions of the Discourse.

It should be clear from these reconfigurations of the Olivet passages in Matthew, Mark and Luke that the Gospels were dictated by God. Otherwise you must believe that the human Gospel writers colluded to invent these complex chiastic designs, and made these accurate predictions regarding the distant future.

References

[1] A Definition of Cryptochiasmus
[2] A Chiastic Reconfiguration Of "The 70 Weeks Of Daniel"
[3] First Jewish–Roman War (66–73 CE) by Wikipedia.
[4] Flight to Pella by Wikipedia
[5] Jewish Christian by Wikipedia
[6] A Chiastic Reconfiguration Of "The Olivet Discourse" in Matthew 24
[7] A Chiastic Reconfiguration Of Daniel 8
[8] A Chiastic Reconfiguration Of Daniel 10-12. Part 2: Daniel 11-12
[9] A Chiastic Reconfiguration Of Revelation 12
[10] A Chiastic Reconfiguration Of Isaiah 59-63
[11] A Commentary on Daniel 7
[12] A Chiastic Reconfiguration Of "The Olivet Discourse" in Mark 13





* First version published on 4 October 2017.