Jerusalem’s Big Stones Are Coming Down
1Jesus was walking out of the Temple when one of his disciples said, “Teacher, my goodness, look at those huge stones! The buildings are beautiful!”2Jesus said, “Yes, we’re looking at some great buildings, aren’t we? And yet, they will be ripped down and leveled. Not one stone will be left sitting on top of another.”
3Jesus took a seat on the western slope of the Mount of Olives, the side that gave him a good view of the Temple. [1] Four of his disciples—Peter, James, John, and Andrew [2]—came to him with a question. 4“We’d like to know when this is going to happen and what kind of advance warning we’ll get that the time is almost here. Would you tell us that?”
You’ll Get Arrested and Killed
5Jesus said, “Be careful that people don’t trick you into believing their lies. 6Many will come claiming to be me. They’re going to say, ‘Here I am, your Messiah!’ They will con many folks into believing them. 7When you hear about wars breaking out and rumors of more war, don’t be afraid. These things are going to happen. What I’m talking about will come later. 8One country will go to war against another, one kingdom against another. Scattered earthquakes are coming. Famines too. These are just the first of the birth pains.9“Keep your eyes open and stay alert. You’re going to get arrested and turned over to government officials and synagogue leaders who will beat you. You’ll be forced to stand in front of governors and kings and testify about me. 10Before this, the good news needs to be preached to people everywhere.
11“When you do get arrested, don’t worry about the testimony you’ll need to give. No need to practice your speech. Whatever words come to mind when you have to stand up and speak, go ahead and speak those words. They won’t be coming from you. They’ll be coming from the Holy Spirit.
12“Some of you will be turned over to the authorities and executed because a brother turned you in. A father will turn in his child. Children will rebel against their parents and get them executed. 13Everyone around you will hate you because you have tied yourself to my name. But those of you who hang on to your faith all the way to the end will be saved.
14“Keep your eyes open for something detestable and destructive [3] standing where it has no right to stand. (Note to readers: Do your homework if you want to understand.) [4] When you see this, that’s the clue for everyone in Judea to escape to the hills. [5] 15If you’re on the roof of your house when this happens, get out of the house. Don’t stop to pack anything. Just go. 16If you’re in the field when this happens, don’t take the time to go back to the house to get a coat. 17When this happens, it’ll be bad news for pregnant women and those nursing babies. 18Pray that it doesn’t happen in the winter. [6]
Time of Great Trouble
19“What’s coming is a time of Great Trouble. It’s going to be worse than anything that has ever happened before—since the beginning of God’s creation until now. 20God is going to shorten the time of Great Trouble. If he didn’t, everyone would die. But he’s going to shorten the time because he wants to save the chosen ones—the people he chose. [7] 21During that time, someone might say to you, ‘Oh my, look! Here’s the Messiah!’ Or someone might say, ‘Look, he’s over there!’ Don’t believe it.22“I want you to know that fraud messiahs and fake prophets are coming. They’re bringing with them little signs and clues that hint they are genuine. And they’ll be able to do wonders that look like miracles. They hope this will trick my chosen people. 23So I’m putting you on notice to stay alert. I’ve told you ahead of time what’s going to happen.
Jesus’s Comeback
24“After the Great Trouble,
“‘The sun won’t shine
and the moon won’t glow.
their powers shaken in the heavens.’ [8] 26“That’s when they will look up into the clouds and see the Son of Humans coming. When he comes, everyone will see how glorious and powerful he is. 27He’ll send his angels on a mission: Bring him all the chosen people from everywhere in heaven and on the earth.
