The Return of Christ

25 “There will be 1signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,

26 men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the 1world; for the powers of 2the heavens will be shaken.

27 “aThen they will see bthe Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

28 “But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because ayour redemption is drawing near.”

29 Then He told them a parable: “Behold the fig tree and all the trees;

30 as soon as they put forth leaves, you see it and aknow for yourselves that summer is now near.

31 “So you also, when you see these things happening, 1recognize that athe kingdom of God is near.

32 “Truly I say to you, this 1generation will not pass away until all things take place.

33 “aHeaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

34 “aBe on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap;

35 for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth.

36 “But akeep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to bstand before the Son of Man.”