Matthew 24:5-15

5 Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities, claiming, 'I am Christ, the Messiah.' They will deceive a lot of people.
6 When reports come in of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don't panic. This is routine history; this is no sign of the end.
7 Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Famines and earthquakes will occur in various places.
8 This is nothing compared to what is coming.
9 "They are going to throw you to the wolves and kill you, everyone hating you because you carry my name.
10 And then, going from bad to worse, it will be dog-eat-dog, everyone at each other's throat, everyone hating each other.
11 "In the confusion, lying preachers will come forward and deceive a lot of people.
12 For many others, the overwhelming spread of evil will do them in - nothing left of their love but a mound of ashes.
13 "Staying with it - that's what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won't be sorry, and you'll be saved.
14 All during this time, the good news - the Message of the kingdom - will be preached all over the world, a witness staked out in every country. And then the end will come.
15 "But be ready to run for it when you see the monster of desecration set up in the Temple sanctuary. The prophet Daniel described this. If you've read Daniel, you'll know what I'm talking about.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.