Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Jesus privately as He sat on the Mountain of Olives across from the temple, "Tell us, when will these things happen? What will be the sign to show us when these things are ready to happen?" He said to them, "Be careful that no one leads you in the wrong way. Many men will come using My name, and say 'I am He,' and they will lead many people in the wrong way. Do not be troubled and afraid when you hear the sound of wars, and when people tell you about other wars. These things must happen, but the end will not come yet. Nations will come against other nations, and kingdoms will come against other kingdoms. There will be earthquakes in many places, and there will be times when there will not be any food. These things are the beginning of birth pains.

But be careful, because people will give you to courts, and they will beat you in the synagogues. You will stand in front of rulers and kings because of Me and be witnesses to them. The good news must be preached to all nations first. Do not worry about what you will say when people take you to court to be judged. Say the things that are given to you then, because it is not you who will speak. It is the Holy Spirit. A brother will betray his brother, who will be killed then, and a father will betray his child. Children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. All people will hate you because of Me. But the person who remains and is faithful until the end will be saved. The reader must understand this.

The people who are in Judea must run to the mountains, when you see the evil thing that makes destruction standing where it should not be. The person who is on the roof of the house must not go down or go into his house to take anything out. The person who is in the field must not return to get his coat. But woe to women who have babies inside their bodies and to mothers who give milk from their bodies to their babies. Pray that this will not happen in the winter, because those days will be a time of trouble like there has never been since the beginning of the time that God made everything until now, and never will be again. No one would be saved if the Lord did not make the days shorter. He will make the days shorter for the people He has chosen.

So do not believe any person who tells you, 'Look, here is the Christ,' or 'Look, there He is!' Because false christs and false prophets will come and they will show you signs and wonders, so they can lead even God's chosen people in the wrong way, if that is possible. So be careful, because I have told you everything before it happens.

The sun will become dark, and the moon will not give out its light in those days after the trouble has come. The stars will fall from the sky and the powers in the sky will be shaken. Then people will see the Son of Man come in clouds with great power and glory. He will send the angels and bring together the people He has chosen. The angels will bring them together from the four winds, from the farthest part of the earth to the farthest part of heaven.

Now, learn this from the story about the fig tree. You know summer is near when its branches become soft and its leaves start to grow. So also know that Jesus is near, even at the doors, when you see these things happen. I tell you the truth, this generation of people will not die until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will end, but My words will never end. But no one, not even the angels in heaven, or the Son, knows when that day or that hour will come. Only the Father knows this.

Be Ready When God's Son Appears Again

Be careful, continue to watch, because you do not know when that time will come. This is like a man who goes on a trip. He goes away from his house, and gives authority to each of his servants to do his work. He also orders the servant who guards the door to watch. So you must watch, because you do not know when the master of the house will return. He may return in the evening, at midnight , when the rooster crows, or in the morning. So be careful, so that he will not find you sleeping if he comes suddenly. I tell everyone what I tell you, 'Watch!'"