UST MARK Chapter 13

◄ MARK 13 ► ║ ═ ©

13 After that, Jesus and his apprentices left the temple area. As they were walking, one of his apprentices said to him, “Instructor, pay attention to how marvelous these huge blocks of stone in the walls are and how beautiful these structures are!”

2 Jesus replied, “Look at these impressive structures! Enemies will completely destroy them. They will not leave anything standing.”

3 Later, Jesus and his apprentices sat down on top of the Mount of Olives in front of the temple. When no one else was with them, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Jesus, 4 “Please explain to us when what you have described will happen. Also, please explain to us how we can tell when everything that you have described is about to happen.”

5 Jesus started to reply, “Make sure that no one deceives you! 6 Many people will meet you and say that God has authorized them as he has authorized me. They will say that they are the Messiah. By doing that, they will deceive many people. 7 Whenever people tell you about wars that are happening and about wars that could happen, do not be afraid. Things like that have to happen. However, what I have said about the temple will not yet happen. 8 Further, groups of people will attack each other. Earthquakes will happen in many places. Many people will not have enough food to eat. Those events are like the first pains a pregnant woman feels when she is going to have a child. They are bad, but many more bad things will still happen after them.

9 Make sure that you are ready for what people will do to you. They will arrest you and accuse you in front of groups of important people. They will beat you in the Jewish meeting places. Because you are my apprentices, people will accuse you before local rulers and kings. That way, you will tell those rulers about me. 10 Indeed, my apprentices must preach the good news to all groups of people before what I have said about the temple will happen. 11 Whenever people arrest you and then accuse you, do not worry about how you will respond. In fact, you will not speak for yourselves. Instead, the Holy Spirit will speak through you. So, you should say whatever God reveals to you at that time. 12 During this time, men will have someone arrest their own brothers, and they will ask the judge to execute them. Fathers will do the same thing to their own children. Children will rebel against their parents and cause them to die. 13 Because you are my apprentices, many people will be hostile to you. However, if you persevere in being my apprentices while people harm you, God will rescue you.

14 At some point, you will realize that the detestable thing that destroys is where it does not belong.” (Anyone who is reading this should know what Jesus meant.) “When you realize that, those of you who are in the region of Judea should escape to the hilly areas nearby. 15 Those of you who are outside your homes should not go back into your homes to get anything. 16 Those of you who are working in fields should not go back home to get your coats. 17 When what I have described happens, how terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers!18-19 18-19People will suffer very severely when what I have described happens. People have not suffered that severely since God created everything up to now, and no one will ever suffer that severely again. So, ask God to keep these things from occurring during the winter season, when it is difficult to travel. 20 Suppose that the Lord God were to allow what I have described to continue. In that case, nobody would survive. However, because of the people whom he has chosen to belong to him, God will not allow what I have described to continue.21-22 21-22While those things are happening, there will be people who lie when they claim to be the Messiah or to speak for God. They will do amazing miracles. They will try to deceive the people whom God has chosen to belong to him, and they will almost succeed in doing so. Therefore, when people tell you that the Messiah is here or there, do not trust what they say. 23 Make sure that you are ready for what will happen. I have warned you about this before it happens!

24 While what I have described is happening, once people suffer in the ways I have described, God will cause the sun to become dark. The moon will not shine. 25 Stars will drop down from the sky. God will disrupt the angels in heaven. 26 After that, people will see me, the Son of Man, arriving by means of clouds. I will be very powerful and great. 27 After that, I will tell the angels to collect the people whom I have chosen. They will collect them from every place that exists.

28 Listen to this story about how fig trees grow. Whenever they begin to produce new branches and leaves, you can tell that it is almost the summer season. 29 Similarly, whenever you realize that what I have described is happening, you can tell that I will act very soon. 30 Most of the people who are alive right now will still be alive when what I have described happens. What I have said is true. 31 Everything that God has created will eventually change or disappear. However, what I have said will never change or disappear. 32 However, as for when I will return to this world, no human being knows that. The angels who dwell in heaven do not know that. Even I, the Son, do not know that. Only God my Father knows that. 33 So, you do not know at what moment I will return to this world. Because of that, you need to make sure that you are ready. You need to focus and pray. 34 Here is a story that illustrates what I mean. A man decided to travel to a different country. Before he left home, he authorized each of his servants to do something specific to manage the household. Then, he told the man who guarded the house to be ready for him to return. 35 So then, I am like the man who owned that house. You cannot know at what moment I will return to this world. It might be at sunset or at midnight. It might be very early in the morning or after sunrise. Because of that, you need to be ready at all times. 36 Otherwise, when I return to this world when you do not expect me, I might discover that you are not ready for me. 37 I am telling you that you need to be ready at all times. In fact, I am telling that to all people!”

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