Matthew 24:1-14

New Testament for Everyone

The beginning of the birth pangs

24 Jesus left the Temple and went away. As he did so, his disciples came and pointed out the Temple buildings to him. ² “Yes,” he said, “and you see all these things? I’m telling you the truth: not one stone will be left standing upon another. All of them will be thrown down.”

³ As he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came to him privately.

“Tell us,” they said, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that you are going to appear as king, and that the end of the age is upon us?”

⁴ “Watch out,” replied Jesus. “Don’t let anyone deceive you. ⁵ You see, there will be several who will come along, using my name, telling you ‘I’m the Messiah!’ They will fool lots of people. ⁶ You’re going to hear about wars, actual wars and rumored ones; make sure you don’t get alarmed. This has got to happen, but it doesn’t mean the end is coming yet. ⁷ Nations will rise against one another, and kingdoms against each other. There will be famines and earthquakes here and there. ⁸ All this is just the start of the birth pangs.

⁹ “Then they will hand you over to be tortured, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of my name. ¹⁰ Then several will find the going too hard, and they will betray each other and hate each other. ¹¹ Many false prophets will arise, and they will deceive many people. ¹² And because lawlessness will be on the increase, many will find their love growing cold. ¹³ But the one who lasts out to the end will be delivered. ¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom must be announced to the whole world, as a witness to all the nations. Then the end will come.”