Mark 13
Jesus predicted the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, warning his disciples that many would come in his name claiming to be the Messiah and leading people astray. He foretold of wars, earthquakes, famines, and persecution of his followers, but also that the Gospel would be preached to all nations. Jesus then described a time of great tribulation, including the abomination of desolation, and warned his followers to be prepared and vigilant, as no one knows the day or hour of his return.
And as he was departing from the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Teacher, observe these fine stones and fine structures.And in response, Jesus said to him: "Do you see all these great buildings? There shall not be left stone upon stone, which is not torn down.And as he sat at the Mount of Olives, opposite the temple, Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew questioned him privately"Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things will begin to be fulfilled?And Jesus, answering, began to say to them: "See to it that no one leads you astrayFor many will come in my name, saying, ‘For I am he,’ and they will lead many astrayBut when you will have heard of wars and rumors of wars, you should not be afraid. For these things must be, but the end is not so soonFor nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom over kingdom, and there shall be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are but the beginning of the sorrowsBut see to yourselves. For they will hand you over to councils, and in the synagogues you will be beaten, and you shall stand before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony for themAnd the Gospel must first be preached to all nationsAnd when they have seized you and handed you over, do not consider in advance what to say. But whatever will be given you in that hour, say that. For you will not be speaking, but the Holy SpiritThen brother will betray brother to death, and the father, a son; and children will rise up against their parents and will bring about their deathAnd you will be hated by all for the sake of my name. But whoever will have persevered unto the end, the same will be savedThen, when you have seen the abomination of desolation, standing where it ought not to be, let the reader understand: then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountainsAnd let whoever is on the rooftop not descend to the house, nor enter so as to take anything from the houseAnd let whoever may be in the field not return to take his garmentBut woe to those who are pregnant or nursing in those daysTruly, pray that these things may not happen in winterFor those days shall have such tribulations as have not been since the beginning of the creation that God founded, even until now, and shall not beAnd unless the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would be saved. But, for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened the daysAnd then, if anyone will have said to you: ‘Behold, here is the Christ. Behold, in that place.’ Do not believe itFor false Christs and false prophets will rise up, and they will present signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if it were possible, even the electTherefore, you must take heed. Behold, I have foretold all to youBut in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give her splendorAnd the stars of heaven will be falling down, and the powers that are in heaven will be movedAnd then they shall see the Son of man arriving on the clouds, with great power and gloryAnd then he will send his Angels, and gather together his elect, from the four winds, from the limits of the earth, to the limits of heavenNow from the fig tree discern a parable. When its branch becomes tender and the foliage has been formed, you know that summer is very nearSo also, when you will have seen these things happen, know that it is very near, even at the doorsAmen I say to you, that this lineage shall not pass away, until all these things have happenedHeaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall not pass awayBut concerning that day or hour, no one knows, neither the Angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the FatherTake heed, be vigilant, and pray. For you do not know when the time may beIt is like a man who, setting out on a sojourn, left behind his house, and gave his servants authority over every work, and instructed the doorkeeper to stand watchTherefore, be vigilant, for you do not know when the lord of the house may arrive: in the evening, or in the middle of the night, or at first light, or in the morningOtherwise, when he will have arrived unexpectedly, he may find you sleepingBut what I say to you, I say to all: Be vigilant.
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