Warning about Trouble

(Matthew 24.3-14; Luke 21.7-19)

³ Later, as Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives across from the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to him in private. ^4 (A) They asked, “When will these things happen? What will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

⁵ Jesus answered:

Watch out and don't let anyone fool you! ⁶ Many will come and claim to be me. They will use my name and fool many people.

⁷ When you hear about wars and threats of wars, don't be afraid. These things will have to happen first, but that isn't the end. ⁸ Nations and kingdoms will go to war against each other. There will be earthquakes in many places, and people will starve to death. But this is just the beginning of troubles.

^9 (B) Be on your guard! You will be taken to courts and beaten with whips in their synagogues. And because of me, you will have to stand before rulers and kings to tell about your faith. ¹⁰ But before the end comes, the good news must be preached to all nations.

¹¹ When you are arrested, don't worry about what you will say. You will be given the right words when the time comes. But you will not really be the ones speaking. Your words will come from the Holy Spirit.

¹² Brothers and sisters will betray each other and have each other put to death. Parents will betray their own children, and children will turn against their parents and have them killed. ^13 (C) Everyone will hate you because of me. But if you keep on being faithful right to the end, you will be saved.