These changes on the earth will be gradual enough, and there will be enough time for the disciples to observe these things for them to consider what they mean. There will be a beginning of these things, perhaps not clear at first, but becoming increasingly clear as time goes on, so that those who reflect on Christ’s words here will be able to read the hour, and know that the end is not far away. The Lord’s people are to ‘look up’, that is, to look up to God who alone can deliver them. Man’s optimism about the future of the world will be completely shattered, and there will only be anguish in the hearts of unbelieving men and women. There will be no hope for believers in that direction. But God’s people have an entirely different source of comfort and consolation, and it does not depend on natural expectations. The need to trust in God alone will become increasingly clear as the powers of nature begin to fail. The Christian hope has always been a supernatural hope, but that will become even clearer at the end. With joy the believer will take these words of Scripture, and transfer all hope to the deliverance that comes with the return of Christ. That is as it should be. ‘You redemption draws nigh’, therefore transfer all your trust to this, and break of your trust in everything else. There will be lessons in faith and training in faith for believers right up to the end.