Stand Firm

As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.

“Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow’s put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”

“Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they’re about to take place?”

He replied: “Watch out that you’re not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I’m he,’ and, ‘The time’s near.’ Don’t follow them. When you hear of wars and uprisings, don’t be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end won’t come right away.”

Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There’ll be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

“But before all this, they’ll seize you and persecute you. They’ll hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you’ll be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. And so you’ll bear testimony to me. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you’ll defend yourselves. For I’ll give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You’ll be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they’ll put some of you to death. Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you’ll win life.

“When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you’ll know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that’s been written. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There’ll be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. They’ll fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

“There’ll be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what’s coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they’ll see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption’s drawing near.”

He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer’s near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God’s near.

“Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it’ll come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that’s about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.

Luke