Book of Common Prayer

¹³ I would not, brethren, have you be ignorant concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow like others who have no hope. ¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so then also those who sleep in Jesus, God will bring again with him. ¹⁵ And this we say to you in the word of the Lord: we who live and are remaining at the coming of the Lord will not precede those who sleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, and the voice of the archangel, and the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will arise first. ¹⁷ Then shall we who live and remain be caught up with them also in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And so shall we ever be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore comfort one another with these words.

⁵ When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and jewels, Jesus said, ⁶ The days will come when of these things that you see, there will not be left stone upon stone that shall not be thrown down. ⁷ And they asked him, saying, Teacher, when will these things be? And what sign will there be when such things are about to happen?

⁸ And he said, Take heed that you be not deceived. For many will come in my name, saying, I am he. And the time draws near. You must not follow them therefore. ⁹ But when you hear of war and dissension, do not be afraid. For these things must come first. But the end will not follow immediately.

¹⁰ Then he said to them, Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹ And great earthquakes will be in all quarters, and hunger and pestilence, and fearful things. And there will be great signs from heaven. ¹² But before all these, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and into prison, and will bring you before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. ¹³ And this will happen to you for a testimony.

¹⁴ Let it therefore stick fast in your hearts not once to concern yourselves beforehand what to answer, ¹⁵ for I will give you a mouth and wisdom against which none of your adversaries will be able to speak or resist.

¹⁶ Yea and you will be betrayed by your fathers and mothers, and by your brethren and kinsmen and friends, and some of you they will put to death. ¹⁷ And you will be hated by all men for my name’s sake. ¹⁸ Yet not one hair of your heads shall perish. ¹⁹ With your patience possess your souls.