The Tribulation

Matt. 24:4–26; Luke 21:8–24

5 And Jesus, answering them, began to say: h“Take heed that no one deceives you. 6 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. 7 But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and ikingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines 1and troubles. jThese are the beginnings of 2sorrows.

9 “But kwatch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will 3be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. 10 And lthe gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11 mBut when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, 4or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, nbut the Holy Spirit. 12 Now obrother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 13 pAnd you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But qhe who 5endures to the end shall be saved.

14 r“So when you see the s‘abomination of desolation,’ 6spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then tlet those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. 16 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 17 uBut woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18 And pray that your flight may not be in winter. 19 vFor in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. 20 And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.

21 w“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and xwonders to deceive, if possible, even the 7elect. 23 But ytake heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.