Jesus, one day, talking with his disciples, said to them: “Take care that
you are not deceived. There will be many coming in my name, saying, ‘I
am Christ, and the end is near;’ but don’t follow after them. When you
hear of wars and disturbances, don’t be frightened; these things must
first come, but the end is not at once. Nation shall rise against nation,
and kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be great earthquakes, and
famines, and pestilences, and fearful sights; and great signs shall there
be from heaven: and before these come, people will persecute you, and put
you in prisons, and you shall be brought before kings and rulers, for my
name’s sake. And you will have a chance to testify for me; but you need
not plan what you shall say, for I will give you words that your enemies
can neither answer nor resist. You will be betrayed by parents, brothers,
relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death; and you will
be hated by men for my sake; but not a hair of your head shall perish. Be
patient to the end, and your souls shall be saved. When you see Jerusalem
surrounded with armies, then know that desolation is near. Then let them
which are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let them which are in the
midst of it depart out, and let not them which are in the countries enter
thereinto.”
[Illustration: JESUS FORETELLS THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE.—Matt. xxiv.
2.]