The Vindication and Salvation of Zion

The Desolating Sacrilege

¹⁴ “But when you see the desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains;^{(A) 15} the one on the housetop must not go down or enter to take anything from the house; ¹⁶ the one in the field must not turn back to get a coat. ¹⁷ Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days!^{(B) 18} Pray that it may not be in winter. ¹⁹ For in those days there will be suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now and never will be.^{(C) 20} And if the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would be saved, but for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he has cut short those days. ²¹ And if anyone says to you at that time, ‘Look! Here is the Messiah!’^[a] or ‘Look! There he is!’—do not believe it.^{(D) 22} False messiahs^[b] and false prophets will appear and produce signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.^{(E) 23} But be alert; I have already told you everything.^(F)

The Coming of the Son of Man

²⁴ “But in those days, after that suffering,

²⁶ “Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory.^{(H) 27} Then he will send out the angels and gather the^[c] elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

²⁸ “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. ²⁹ So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he^[d] is near, at the very gates. ³⁰ Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.^{(I) 31} Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.^(J)

The Necessity for Watchfulness

³² “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only the Father.^{(K) 33} Beware, keep alert,^[e] for you do not know when the time will come.^{(L) 34} It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch.^{(M) 35} Therefore, keep awake, for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening or at midnight or at cockcrow or at dawn,^{(N) 36} or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. ³⁷ And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”