Luke 21 (NKJV)
The Widow’s Two Mites
1And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury,
2and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites.
3So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all;
4for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”
Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple
5Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said,
6“These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.”
The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age
7So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?”
8And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them.
9But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.”
10Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
11And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.
12But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake.
13But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.
14Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer;
15for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.
16You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.
17And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake.
18But not a hair of your head shall be lost.
19By your patience possess your souls.
The Destruction of Jerusalem
20“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.
21Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.
22For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
23But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.
24And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
The Coming of the Son of Man
25“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;
26men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
27Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
The Parable of the Fig Tree
29Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.
30When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near.
31So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.
32Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place.
33Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
The Importance of Watching
34“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.
35For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
37And in the daytime He was teaching in the temple, but at night He went out and stayed on the mountain called Olivet.
38Then early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him.
