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"Some
of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned
with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus
said, 'As for what you see here, the time will come when not one
stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown
down.'
'Teacher,' they asked, "when will these things happen? And
what will be the sign that they are about to take place?'
He replied: 'Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will
come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do
not follow them. When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be
frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not
come right away.'
Then he said to them: 'Nation will rise against nation, and
kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines
and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great
signs from heaven.
'But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute
you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will
be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my
name. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make
up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend
yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your
adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be
betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and
they will put some of you to death. All men will hate you because
of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm
you will gain life.
When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know
that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee
to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in
the country not enter the city. For this is the time of punishment
in fulfillment of all that has been written. How dreadful it will
be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There
will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people.
They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all
the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until
the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth,
nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and
tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of
what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be
shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a
cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take
place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is
drawing near.'
He told them this parable: 'Look at the fig tree and all the
trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and
know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things
happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away
until all these things have happened.'"
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