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mark's gospel

why i believe

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Signs of Christ's Return

Now as He was leaving the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, look at the these magnificent stones!  And what wonderful buildings!”

Jesus answered, saying, “Do you see these great buildings?  Not even one stone shall remain upon another.  They will all be thrown down.”

When He got to the Mount of Olives He sat down, facing the temple.  Then Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, “Tell us, when will such things happen?  And what sign will there be that all these things are about to take place?”

Jesus answered their questions. He began by saying, “Be careful that no one leads you astray.  For many will come in My Name, saying, “Here I am!  And they will pull many off the path.  But don’t be alarmed when you hear of wars, and rumors of wars.  Such things must happen, but they do not signal the end.  For nations will turn against other nations, and kingdoms against other kingdoms.  And earthquakes will occur in all kinds of places.  There will be famines and horrible times.  Such things are only the beginnings of the real agony to come.

“But you watch out for yourselves.  Because they will turn you in to the Sanhedrin, and you’ll be beaten in the synagogues.  You will also be hauled in front of rulers and kings because of Me, as a testimony to them. 

“The Good News must first be announced to all the pagan nations.  So when they arrest you, and lead you away, don’t worry or think ahead of time about what you should say.  Instead, say whatever is given you in that moment.  For you will not be the ones speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

“Brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his own child. Even children will rise up against their parents, and put them to death.  And you will be hated by everyone because of My Name.  But whoever remains true to the end will be saved.

“But when you see the abomination that brings desolation, that the prophet Daniel predicted, set up where it should not be (let the reader understand), then everyone in Judea should escape into the mountains.  If someone is up on the roof of the house, let him not go down inside, or enter the house to grab anything.  Likewise, whoever is in the field should not return to the things he left behind in order to get his clothing.

“How horrible it will be for pregnant women, and for those with nursing babies in those days!  Pray that you won’t have to escape in the winter, for those will be days of suffering as never before — from the beginning of God’s creation until now — and will never be again. 

“In fact, had the Lord not shortened the days, no living thing would survive.  But for the sake of the chosen ones — the ones He chose, He has shortened the days.

“So if anyone says to you, ‘Look!  Here’s the Messiah!’  Or, ‘Look, He’s over there!’  Don’t believe them.  False messiahs and false prophets will most certainly appear.  They’ll even produce miraculous signs and works of wonder, trying to lead astray, if possible, even God’s chosen.  But you keep your eyes open.  Look, I’ve told you everything before it happens.

“But during those days, after the period of greatest suffering, the sun itself will be darkened, and the moon will stop giving light. Then the stars in the sky will fall, and the powers in the heavenly realms will be shaken.

“That’s when the people will see the Son of Man appearing in the clouds with great power and glory.  And then He will send out His angels, and they will gather up His chosen from the four winds, from the very ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

“So learn the lesson of the fig tree.  When its branch becomes tender and puts on leaves, you know that summer is near.  So also, when you see these things happening, understand that it is near, at the very doors.  I tell you the truth; this same generation will absolutely not pass away until all these things occur.

“The universe and this earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.

“But concerning the exact day and hour, no one knows.  Not the angels in heaven.  Not even the Son.  Only the Father.  Keep your eyes open!  Stay alert! Keep praying! Because you have no idea when that time will be.

“It’s like a man who takes a long trip.  He leaves his house in the care of his servants, giving to each his own responsibilities and duties.  And just as he would order the doorkeeper to keep watch, so you also keep watch.  For you don’t know when the Master of the house will return.  It might be evening, or at midnight, or just before the sun rises, or at dawn.  You don’t want Him to arrive unexpectedly and catch you asleep. 

"But what I say to you, I say to everyone: Keep watch!”