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For there will be greater anguish in those days than at any time since God created the world. And it will never be so great again.
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In fact, unless the Lord shortens that time of calamity, not a single person will survive. But for the sake of his chosen ones he has shortened those days.
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“Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it.
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For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones.
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Watch out! I have warned you about this ahead of time!
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“At that time, after the anguish of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light,
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the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
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Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory.
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And he will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the world —from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.
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“Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near.
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In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that his return is very near, right at the door.