Signs of Christ’s Return

1And as He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, behold [†]what wonderful stones and [†]what wonderful buildings!” 2And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another which will not be torn down.”

3And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew were questioning Him privately, 4“Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the [†]sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?” 5And Jesus began to say to them, “See to it that no one deceives you. 6Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He!’ and will mislead many. 7And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. 8For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pains.

9“But see to yourselves; for they will deliver you to the [†]courts, and you will be beaten in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a witness to them. 10And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all the nations. 11And when they lead you away, delivering you up, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given to you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit. 12And brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and [†]have them put to death. 13And you will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.

The Abomination of Desolation and the Tribulation

14“But when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. 15And the one who is on the housetop must not go down, or go in to get anything out of his house; 16and the one who is in the field must not turn back to get his garment. 17But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18But pray that it may not happen in the winter. 19For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will. 20And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no [†]life would have been saved; but for the sake of the [†]elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days. 21And then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the [†]Christ’; or, ‘Behold, He is there’; do not believe him; 22for false christs and false prophets will arise, and will show [†]signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23But as for you, see! I have told you everything in advance.

The Coming of the Son of Man

24“But in those days, after that tribulation, THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, 25AND THE STARS WILL BE FALLING from heaven, AND THE POWERS THAT ARE IN [†]THE HEAVENS will be shaken. 26And then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with great power and glory. 27And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His [†]elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.

The Parable of the Fig Tree

28“Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, [†]recognize that [†]He is near, right at the [†]door. 30Truly I say to you, this [†]generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. 32But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

33“See to it, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time [†]will come. 34It is like a man away on a journey, who, leaving his house and giving authority to his slaves—each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35Therefore, stay awake—for you do not know when the [†]master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36lest he come suddenly and find you sleeping. 37And what I say to you I say to all, ‘Stay awake!’”