191. Discourse on the Mount of Olives: Signs of the Lord’s Coming and the End of the Age. Mt. 24:3–14; Mk. 13:3–13; Lk. 21:7–19

When the Lord then sat down on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew came to Him privately along with the other disciples and asked Him, ‘Teacher, tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age, when all these things are to take place?’

Answering them, the Lord Jesus began to speak and said, ‘See that you are not led astray, that you are not deceived. For many will come in My name and will say: I am the Messiah. And the time is near; and many will be led astray. Do not go after them.’

You will hear also of wars and rumours of wars. But when you hear of these wars and rumours of wars and tumults, see that you are not terrified and do not be afraid, for all these things must take place first; but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be famines, pestilences, and great earthquakes in various places; there will be tumults and terrors and great signs from heaven. Yet all these are but the beginning of the birthpangs. But take heed to yourselves.’

‘But before all these things, the Gospel must be proclaimed to all the nations. And then they will lay hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to councils and to synagogues and to prisons; and you will be brought before kings and governors for My name’s sake, for a testimony to them (concerning the truth of the Gospel).’

‘When they lead you away to deliver you up to judges and governors, and when it comes time for you to give testimony concerning Me, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, and do not take thought beforehand to prepare your answer; but whatever is given to you in that hour, speak that. For I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or contradict. For it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.’

‘And then many will stumble and will betray one another and will hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and will lead many astray. And because lawlessness will increase, the love of many will grow cold. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and kinsmen and friends; and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all men, – by all nations, – because of My name. Yet not a hair of your head will be lost. By your endurance you will gain your souls. The one who endures to the end will be saved.’

‘And this Gospel of the Kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come.’