Cults, Revolutions, Famines, and Earthquakes^(A)

³ As Jesus^[a] was sitting on the Mount of Olives facing the Temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew were asking him privately, ⁴ “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what is to be the sign when these things will be put into effect?”

⁵ Jesus began by telling them, “See to it that no one deceives you. ⁶ Many will come in my name, proclaiming, ‘I AM,’ and they will deceive many people.^{[b] 7} But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don’t panic. These things must take place, but the end won’t have come yet, ⁸ because nation will rise up in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. Furthermore, there will be earthquakes and famines in various places. These things are only a beginning of agonies.”

Future Persecution and Evangelism^(B)

⁹ “As for yourselves, be on your guard! People^[c] will hand you over to local councils, and you will be beaten in their synagogues. You will stand before governors and kings in order to testify to them because of me. ¹⁰ But first, the gospel must be proclaimed to all nations.^{[d] 11} When they take you away and hand you over for trial, don’t worry ahead of time about what you will say. Instead, say whatever is given to you at that time, because it won’t be you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. ¹² Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. ¹³ You will be hated continuously by everyone on account of my name. But the person who endures to the end will be saved.”

The Coming Wars and Revolutions^(A)

⁷ Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things happen, and what is to be the sign when these things are about to take place?”

⁸ He said, “See to it that you aren’t deceived, because many will come in my name, proclaiming, ‘I AM,’ and, ‘The time has come.’ Don’t follow them. ⁹ But when you hear of wars and revolutions, don’t ever be terrified, because these sorts of things must take place first, but the end won’t come right away.”

¹⁰ Then he went on to say to them, “Nation will rise up in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹ In addition there will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places, as well as terrifying events, including significant signs from heaven.”

Future Persecutions^(B)

¹² “But before all these things, people^[a] will arrest you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake, ¹³ in order to give you an opportunity to testify. ¹⁴ So purpose in your hearts not to prepare your defense ahead of time, ¹⁵ because I will give you the ability to speak, along with wisdom, that none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute. ¹⁶ You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. ¹⁷ You will be hated continuously by everyone on account of my name. ¹⁸ And yet not a hair on your head will be lost. ¹⁹ But the person who endures to the end will be saved.”