Luke 21:25-36

Contemporary English Version

When the Son of Man Appears

(Matthew 24.29-31; Mark 13.24-27)

^25 (A) Strange things will happen to the sun, moon, and stars. The nations on earth will be afraid of the roaring sea and tides, and they won't know what to do. ²⁶ People will be so frightened that they will faint because of what is happening to the world. Every power in the sky will be shaken.^{[a] 27 (B)} Then the Son of Man will be seen, coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸ When all of this starts happening, stand up straight and be brave. You will soon be set free.

A Lesson from a Fig Tree

(Matthew 24.32-35; Mark 13.28-31)

²⁹ Then Jesus told them a story:

When you see a fig tree or any other tree ³⁰ putting out leaves, you know that summer will soon come. ³¹ So, when you see these things happening, you know that God's kingdom will soon be here. ³² You can be sure that some of the people of this generation will still be alive when all of this takes place. ³³ The sky and the earth won't last forever, but my words will.

A Warning

³⁴ Don't spend all of your time thinking about eating or drinking or worrying about life. If you do, the final day will suddenly catch you ³⁵ like a trap. This day will surprise everyone on earth. ³⁶ Watch out and keep praying that you can escape all that is going to happen and that the Son of Man will be pleased with you.