The Olivet Discourse: Signs of Destruction and the End
Mark 13:1-31
1And as he was going out from the sacred place, one of his disciples said to him, Teacher, look! What kind of stones and what kind of buildings!2And Jesus said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? No stone will be left here upon stone which will not be destroyed."3And as he was sitting toward the mountain of the olive trees before the sacred place, Peter and James and John and Andrew questioned him privately.4Tell us when these things will be and what the sign will be when all these things are to be completed.5Then Jesus began to say to them, See that no one leads you astray.6Many will come in my name saying that I am he, and they will lead many astray.7When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled. It is necessary that these things happen, but the end is not yet.8For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places. There will be famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.9But watch yourselves. They will deliver you to councils and to synagogues. You will be beaten and will stand before rulers and kings for a testimony to them on account of me.10And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.11And when they bring you to deliver you, do not worry beforehand what you will say, but whatever is given to you in that hour, say that. For it is not you who are speaking, but the Holy Spirit.12And brother will deliver brother to death, and father his child, and children will rise up against parents and put them to death.13And you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.14When you see the abomination of desolation standing where it ought not, let the reader understand. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.15Let the one who is on the housetop not come down nor go in to take anything out of his house.16And let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak.17Woe to those who are with child and to those who are nursing infants in those days.18Pray that it may not happen in winter.19For in those days there will be tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be.20And if the Lord had not shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved. But for the sake of the elect whom he chose, he shortened the days.21And then if anyone says to you, Look, here is the Christ, or, Look, there he is, do not believe it.22For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will perform signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, the elect.23But you, take heed. I have told you all things beforehand.24But in those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light.25And the stars will be falling from heaven and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.26And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.27And then he will send forth the angels and will gather his elect from the four winds from the end of the earth to the end of heaven.28Now learn the parable from the fig tree. When its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.29So also you, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, right at the doors.30Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.31Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.