When Will These Things Happen?
Jesus and His disciples arrived at the Mount of Olives. And Jesus sat down opposite the temple. His disciples had not stopped thinking about what Jesus had said about the temple—that the time would come when one stone would not be left upon another. And so, Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to Jesus privately. “Teacher, they asked, “when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?”
Jesus answered, “See to it that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ They will deceive many. But do not follow them.”
“You will hear of wars, rumors of wars, and rebellions. But do not be alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come.
Then He told them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
“Be on your guard. Before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. On account of My name, they will deliver you over to the councils and beaten in the synagogues and prisons and be persecuted and killed. You will be hated by all nations because of My name.
“Before the end comes, the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations. They will arrest you and hand you over to stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. This will be your opportunity to serve as a witness. So, make up your mind not to worry beforehand about what to say or how to defend yourselves. Instead, speak whatever you are given at that time, for it will not be you speaking, but the Holy Spirit will give you speech and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
“Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. Many will fall away and will betray and hate one another because of My name. Brother will betray brother to death. A father will betray his child. Children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. Both relatives and friends will betray. You will be hated by everyone because of My name.
“Many false prophets will arise and mislead many. And some of you will be put to death. But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. Not even a hair of your head will perish. By your patient endurance, you will gain your souls.”
See Matthew 24:3-14; Mark 13:3-13; Luke 21:7-19
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