The Olivet Discourse: Signs of the End and the Temple's Destruction
Matthew 24:1-35
1And Jesus went out from the temple and was going away, and his disciples came near to show him the buildings of the temple.2Then he answered and said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Amen, I say to you, no stone will be left here upon stone that will not be destroyed."3While he was sitting on the mountain of the olive trees, the disciples came near to him privately and said, "Tell us when these things will be, and what the sign of your coming and of the consummation of the age will be."4And Jesus answered and said to them, "See that no one leads you astray."5For many will come in my name, saying, "I am the Christ," and they will lead many astray.6And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not troubled, for it is necessary that these things happen, but the goal is not yet.7For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.8But all these things are the beginning of labor.9Then they will deliver you to pressure, and they will kill you, and you will be hated by all the Gentiles because of my name.10And then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another.11And many false prophets will arise and will lead many astray.12And because lawlessness will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold.13But the one who endures to the goal will be saved.14And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the goal will come.15Therefore when you see the abomination of devastation spoken of by Daniel the prophet standing in the holy place, let the reader understand.16Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.17Let the one who is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house.18And let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his clothing.19Woe to those who are with child and to those who are nursing in those days.20Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath.21For then there will be great pressure such as has not occurred from the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will be.22And if those days had not been shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.23Then if anyone says to you, "Look, here is the Christ," or, "Here he is," do not believe it.24For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will give great signs and wonders so as to lead astray, if possible, even the select.25Behold, I have told you in advance.26Therefore if they say to you, "Look, he is in the wilderness, do not go out;" or, "Look, he is in the inner rooms, do not believe it."27For just as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the human.28Wherever the corpse is, there the eagles will be gathered together.29Immediately after the pressure of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its brightness, and the stars will collapse from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.30And then the sign of the human will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the human coming on the clouds of heaven with power and much glory.31And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.32From the fig tree learn the parable: when its branch becomes tender and puts out leaves, you know that summer is near.33So also, when you see all these things, know that he is near, at the doors.34Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things happen.35Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.