19
"For thosedays will be a time of tribulationsuch as has not occurred1since the beginning of the creationwhichGodcreateduntilnow, and never* will.
20
"Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no*life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days.
21
"And thenifanyonesays to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ '; or, 'Behold, He is there '; do not believe him;
22
for falseChrists and 2falseprophets will arise, and will show3signs and 4wonders, in order to leadastray, ifpossible, the elect.
23
"But takeheed; behold, I have told you everything in advance.
The Return of Christ
24"But in thosedays, after that tribulation, 5THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT,
25
6AND THE STARS WILL BE FALLING from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.
26
"Then they will see7THE SON OF MAN8COMING IN CLOUDS with greatpower and glory.
27
"And then He will sendforth the angels, and 9will gathertogether His elect from the fourwinds, 10from the farthestend of the earth to the farthestend of heaven.
28
"Nowlearn the parable from the figtree: when its branch has alreadybecometender and putsforth its leaves, you know that summer is near.
29
"Even so, you too, when you seethesethingshappening, recognize that He is near, right at the door.