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Chapter 13 Signs of the End of the Age 1As he was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”2“Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” 3As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately,4“Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?” 5Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you.6Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many.7When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.8Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. 9“You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them.10And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. 12“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.13All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.14“When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11 standing where itOr he; also in verse 29 does not belong–let the reader understand–then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.15Let no one on the roof of his house go down or enter the house to take anything out.16Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak.17How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!18Pray that this will not take place in winter,19because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now–and never to be equaled again.20If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them.21At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the ChristOr Messiah!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it.22For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect–if that were possible.23So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. 24“But in those days, following that distress, 25the stars will fall from the sky, 26“At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.27And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. 28“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.29Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door.30I tell you the truth, this generationOr race will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.31Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. |
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