Assurance of Zion’s Salvation

The Great Tribulation^(A)

^14 (B)“So when you see the ^(C)‘abomination of desolation,’ ^[a]spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then ^(D)let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. ¹⁵ Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. ¹⁶ And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. ^17 (E)But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! ¹⁸ And pray that your flight may not be in winter. ^19 (F)For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. ²⁰ And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.

^21 (G)“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. ²² For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and ^(H)wonders to deceive, if possible, even the ^[b]elect. ²³ But ^(I)take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.

The Coming of the Son of Man^(J)

^24 (K)“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; ²⁵ the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be ^(L)shaken. ^26 (M)Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. ²⁷ And then He will send His angels, and gather together His ^[c]elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.

The Parable of the Fig Tree^(N)

^28 (O)“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. ²⁹ So you also, when you see these things happening, know that ^[d]it is near—at the doors! ³⁰ Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. ³¹ Heaven and earth will pass away, but ^(P)My words will by no means pass away.

No One Knows the Day or Hour^(Q)

³² “But of that day and hour ^(R)no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the ^(S)Father. ^33 (T)Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. ^34 (U)It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave ^(V)authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. ^35 (W)Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— ³⁶ lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. ³⁷ And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”