Luke 21 RCW Translation 2024.3.27. 2nd ed.
- Some were talking about the Temple, and the ideal (perfect and beautiful) stones and offerings that adorned it. But He said:
- “Days will come, when what you see now will be thrown down, and not a single stone will be left on top of another.”
- They responded, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what warning sign will precede these events?”
- Jesus said: “Be alert! Don’t be deceived! Many will come in My name saying that ‘I Am, and the season is almost here.” Do not follow them.
- “But, when you hear about wars and revolts, do not be worried. These things must happen first, but the conclusion does not come immediately.
- Jesus continued: “Race will oppose race, and nation will arise against nation.
- “And large earthquakes will happen in different locations. There will be famines and pestilences. There will be frightening sights and great signs in the sky.
- “But before all of this, they will arrest you and persecute you, judging you in synagogues, putting you in jail, and accusing you before kings and legal authorities because of My name.
- “All this will become your testimony to them.
- “Determine in your hearts that you will not prepare for your defense.
- “For I will place in your mouth words of wisdom which those opposing you cannot contradict or deny.
- “You will be betrayed by parents and brothers and relatives, and friends, and some of you they will kill,
- “And you will be hated by everyone because of My name,
- “yet not one hair of your head will perish.
- “By patience you will be acquiring possession of your own souls.
- “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by war camps, know that her desolation has come.
- “Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those in Jerusalem must flee to the wilderness, and those who are outside must not enter the city.
- “These are days of vengeance, all the things that were written about this will be fulfilled.
- “Woe to those who are pregnant, and to those still nursing children in those days. There will be great need in the land and great wrath against this people.
- “They will be killed by sword, taken captive into all the peoples, and Jerusalem will be trampled by the races until the ‘Season of the Races’ is fulfilled.
- “There will be signs in the Sun, Moon and Stars; and on the land there will be distress among the nations and anxious confusion, for the waves of the sea will roar.
- “Men will die of fear and be full of apprehension about the things about to happen to the inhabited lands, because the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
- “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud, with much power and glory.
- “When these things begin to come to pass, Straighten up! Lift up your heads because your freedom is approaching.”
- Then Jesus told them a parable. “Notice the fig tree, and all the trees.
- “When they are all budding, you know that summer is approaching.
- “So, you also, when you notice these things occurring, you will know that the Kingdom of God is about to commence.
- “I am telling you the truth. This generation will not pass away until all these things have started to happen.
- “The sky and the land will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
- “Stay alert! Otherwise, when your hearts are burdened with drunkenness and hangovers and concerns of this life’s needs, you will be unaware when that day comes.
- “Everyone on the planet will suddenly be trapped with no possibility of escape.
- “So, watch diligently, always praying that you will be considered worthy to escape the things about to occur, and to stand safely in the presence of the Son of Man.”