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For those will be times of suffering the like of which has never been from the first creation of God's world until now, and assuredly never will be again;
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and but for the fact that the Lord has cut short those days, no one would escape; but for the sake of His own People whom He has chosen for Himself He has cut short the days.
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"At that time if any one says to you, `See, here is the Christ!' or `See, He is there!' do not believe it.
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For there will rise up false Christs and false prophets, displaying signs and prodigies with a view to lead astray--if indeed that were possible--even God's own People.
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But as for yourselves, be on your guard: I have forewarned you of everything.
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"At that time, however, after that distress, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not shed her light;
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the stars will be seen falling from the firmament, and the forces which are in the heavens will be disordered and disturbed.
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And then will they see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
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Then He will send forth the angels and gather together His chosen People from north, south, east and west, from the remotest parts of the earth and the sky.
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"Learn from the fig-tree the lesson it teaches. As soon as its branch has become soft and it is bursting into leaf, you know that summer is near.
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So also do you, when you see these things happening, be sure that He is near, at your very door.