 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
(Mark 13:1-23)
Jesus replied: "Take a good look. It won't last. This place will end up a heap of rubble."
Later Peter, John, Jim and Andy came to Jesus on Mount Olive (on the slope facing the Temple) and asked, "When will this destruction happen? Will there be any warning signs?"
Jesus replied: "Keep your eyes open! Don't let anyone fool you! Lots of blokes will bung on an act, and say: 'Jesus sent me.' People will be fooled."
"When the news is full of wars and war mongering, don't lose your head. These things happen, but it's not the end of the world. One lot will attack another, and then be attacked themselves. There'll be earthquakes, famines, all that stuff. But that's just the beginning, not the end.
"But watch it! You'll be arrested and dragged into court, or given a really rough time in the Meeting Halls. Sometimes you'll be dragged before tin-pot presidents and power mad magistrates. Stand up for me, and my message. Before the end comes, the message about me has to be told around the world.
"When you're dragged before some tribunal, don't panic! Don't get nervous about what to say, because God can speak through you, he can put words in your mouth.
"Your own relatives will betray you, and families will be divided. Everyone will look on you as some sort of mug, because of me and my message. But if you stick with me to the bitter end you'll be okay and okay forever!
"When a real monster turns up, don't hang around! (Work out what this means for yourself.) People in Judea when the monster arrives should clear off to the hills. If you're working on the roof don't go back into the house, just go! If you're out in the paddock, don't go back for your stuff, just go! For expectant Mums and nursing Mums it'll be terrible. Just pray it doesn't happen in the dead of winter. What's coming at that time, in this place, will be the worst time in the world, ever. Unless God cuts it short no one will survive. But for the sake of his faithful few, God will cut it short.
"If some clown says, 'Here's the Promised One!' or 'There he is!', use your loaf, and don't believe him. Because pretenders and liars will turn up, doing signs and wonders, and trying to lead even God's faithful few down a blind alley. So, be on your guard. Don't say I haven't warned you."
