Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

The End Times

12 “‘At that time, Michael^[a] will arise, the great prince who will stand up on behalf of your people, and a time of trouble will come like there has never been since nations began until that time. Also at that time, your people will be delivered—everyone who will have been written in the book. ² Many of those who are sleeping in the dust of the earth will awaken—some to life everlasting, and some to disgrace and everlasting contempt. ³ Those who manifest wisdom will shine like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who turn many to righteousness will shine^[b] like the stars for ever and ever.

A special Davidic Psalm.^[a]

Trust in the Face of Death

¹¹ Day after day every priest stands and repeatedly offers the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. ¹² But when this priest^[a] had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, “he sat down at the right hand of God.”^{[b] 13} Since that time, he has been waiting for his enemies to be made a footstool for his feet. ¹⁴ For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

¹⁵ The Holy Spirit also assures us of this, for he said:

¹⁸ Now where there is forgiveness of these sins,^[c] there is no longer any offering for sin.

How We Should Live

¹⁹ Therefore, my brothers, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), ²¹ and since we have a great high priest over the household of God, ²² let us continue to come near with sincere hearts in the full assurance that faith provides, because our hearts have been sprinkled clean from a guilty conscience, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. ²³ Let us continue to hold firmly to the hope that we confess without wavering, for the one who made the promise is faithful. ²⁴ And let us continue to consider how to motivate one another to love and good deeds, ²⁵ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another even more as you see the day of the Lord^[a] coming nearer.

Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple^(A)

13 While Jesus^[a] was leaving the Temple, one of his disciples told him, “Look, Teacher! What stones! And what buildings!”

² “Do you see these large buildings?” Jesus responded. “Not even a single stone here will be left on top of another that won’t be demolished.”

Cults, Revolutions, Famines, and Earthquakes^(B)

³ As Jesus^[b] was sitting on the Mount of Olives facing the Temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew were asking him privately, ⁴ “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what is to be the sign when these things will be put into effect?”

⁵ Jesus began by telling them, “See to it that no one deceives you. ⁶ Many will come in my name, proclaiming, ‘I AM,’ and they will deceive many people.^{[c] 7} But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don’t panic. These things must take place, but the end won’t have come yet, ⁸ because nation will rise up in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. Furthermore, there will be earthquakes and famines in various places. These things are only a beginning of agonies.”