Temple Destruction Foretold

(Matthew 24:1-4; Luke 21:5-9)

1And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! 2And Jesus answering said to him, See you these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone on another, that shall not be thrown down.

3And as he sat on the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled? 5And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: 6For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 7And when you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, be you not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. 8For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

9But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues you shall be beaten: and you shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

Witnessing to All Nations

(Matthew 24:9-14; Luke 21:10-19)

10And the gospel must first be published among all nations. 11But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what you shall speak, neither do you premeditate: but whatever shall be given you in that hour, that speak you: for it is not you that speak, but the Holy Ghost. 12Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. 13And you shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved.

The Abomination of Desolation

(Matthew 24:15-25; Luke 21:20-24)

14But when you shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that reads understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: 15And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house: 16And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment. 17But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 18And pray you that your flight be not in the winter. 19For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created to this time, neither shall be. 20And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he has chosen, he has shortened the days. 21And then if any man shall say to you, See, here is Christ; or, see, he is there; believe him not: 22For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. 23But take you heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

The Return of the Son of Man

(Matthew 24:26-31; Luke 21:25-28)

24But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, 25And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. 26And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

The lesson of the Fig Tree

(Matthew 24:32-35; Luke 21:29-33)

28Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near: 29So you in like manner, when you shall see these things come to pass, know that it is near, even at the doors. 30Truly I say to you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. 31Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Be Ready at Any Hour

(Genesis 6:1-7; Matthew 24:36-51; Luke 12:35-48)

32But of that day and that hour knows no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

33Take you heed, watch and pray: for you know not when the time is. 34For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35Watch you therefore: for you know not when the master of the house comes, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning: 36Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37And what I say to you I say to all, Watch.