Luke 21

Prophecy of the Temple's Destruction Luke 21:5–19

⁵Verse 5. As some were talking about the temple and how it was decorated with beautiful stones and gifts, he said, ⁶Verse 6. “As for these things which you see, the days will come, in which there will not be left here one stone on another that will not be thrown down.” ⁷Verse 7. They asked him, “Teacher, so when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are about to happen?” ⁸Verse 8. He said, “Watch out that you don’t get led astray, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is at hand.’ Therefore don’t follow them.

⁹Verse 9. When you hear of wars and disturbances, don’t be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end won’t come immediately.” ¹⁰Verse 10. Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹Verse 11. There will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places. There will be terrors and great signs from heaven. ¹²Verse 12. But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name’s sake. ¹³Verse 13. It will turn out as a testimony for you. ¹⁴Verse 14. Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer,

¹⁵Verse 15. for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict. ¹⁶Verse 16. You will be handed over even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. They will cause some of you to be put to death. ¹⁷Verse 17. You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake. ¹⁸Verse 18. And not a hair of your head will perish. ¹⁹Verse 19. “By your endurance you will win your lives.

Signs of the End Times Luke 21:20–28

²⁰Verse 20. “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand. ²¹Verse 21. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let those who are in the middle of her depart. Let those who are in the country not enter therein. ²²Verse 22. For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. ²³Verse 23. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse infants in those days! For there will be great distress in the land, and wrath to this people. ²⁴Verse 24. They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

²⁵Verse 25. There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and on the earth anxiety of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the waves; ²⁶Verse 26. men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷Verse 27. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸Verse 28. But when these things begin to happen, look up, and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near.”

Exhortation to Watchfulness Luke 21:29–38

²⁹Verse 29. He told them a parable. “See the fig tree, and all the trees. ³⁰Verse 30. When they are already budding, you see it and know by your own selves that the summer is already near. ³¹Verse 31. Even so you also, when you see these things happening, know that God’s Kingdom is near. ³²Verse 32. Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things are accomplished. ³³Verse 33. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away. ³⁴Verse 34. “So be careful, or your hearts will be loaded down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day will come on you suddenly.

³⁵Verse 35. For it will come like a snare on all those who dwell on the surface of all the earth. ³⁶Verse 36. Therefore be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.” ³⁷Verse 37. Every day Jesus was teaching in the temple, and every night he would go out and spend the night on the mountain that is called Olivet. ³⁸Verse 38. All the people came early in the morning to him in the temple to hear him.