What Jesus Said About The Future & End Times (87 Teachings)

God is God of the living, not of the dead.

Read the Scripture Matthew 22:31–32; Mark 12:26–27; Luke 20:37–38

King James Version

Matthew 22:31–32

³¹But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
³²I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

Mark 12:26–27

²⁶And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
²⁷He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.

Luke 20:37–38

³⁷Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
³⁸For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.

The Father has entrusted judgment to the Son.

Read the Scripture John 5:22, 27

King James Version

John 5:22, 27

²²For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
²⁷And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

The Son of Man will come in his Father's glory and repay each person according to deeds.

Read the Scripture Matthew 16:27

King James Version

Matthew 16:27

²⁷For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

The Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne and judge the nations.

Read the Scripture Matthew 25:31–46

King James Version

Matthew 25:31–46

³¹When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
³²And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
³³And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
³⁴Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
³⁵For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
³⁶Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
³⁷Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
³⁸When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
³⁹Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
⁴⁰And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
⁴¹Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
⁴²For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
⁴³I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
⁴⁴Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
⁴⁵Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
⁴⁶And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Jesus will be with his disciples to the end of the age.

Read the Scripture Matthew 28:20

King James Version

Matthew 28:20

²⁰Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Jesus will raise the dead by his voice.

Read the Scripture John 5:25–29

King James Version

John 5:25–29

²⁵Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
²⁶For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
²⁷And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
²⁸Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
²⁹And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Jesus has authority to execute judgment because he is the Son of Man.

Read the Scripture John 5:27

King James Version

John 5:27

²⁷And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

Jesus will lose none of those the Father gives him but will raise them on the last day.

Read the Scripture John 6:39

King James Version

John 6:39

³⁹And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

Jesus will raise every believer on the last day.

Read the Scripture John 6:39–40, 44, 54

King James Version

John 6:39–40, 44, 54

³⁹And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
⁴⁰And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
⁴⁴No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
⁵⁴Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

Jesus is the resurrection and the life.

Read the Scripture John 11:25

King James Version

John 11:25

²⁵Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

Whoever believes in Jesus will live even though he dies.

Read the Scripture John 11:25

King James Version

John 11:25

²⁵Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

Whoever lives and believes in Jesus will never finally die.

Read the Scripture John 11:26

King James Version

John 11:26

²⁶And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Jesus' spoken word will judge those who reject him on the last day.

Read the Scripture John 12:47–48

King James Version

John 12:47–48

⁴⁷And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
⁴⁸He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

Merely saying "Lord, Lord" does not secure entrance; doing the Father's will matters.

Read the Scripture Matthew 7:21–23

King James Version

Matthew 7:21–23

²¹Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
²²Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
²³And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Impressive religious works do not substitute for true obedience.

Read the Scripture Matthew 7:22–23

King James Version

Matthew 7:22–23

²²Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
²³And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Belief in Jesus as resurrection and life gives hope beyond physical death.

Read the Scripture John 11:25–26

King James Version

John 11:25–26

²⁵Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
²⁶And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

People will give account for careless words.

Read the Scripture Matthew 12:36–37

King James Version

Matthew 12:36–37

³⁶But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
³⁷For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

In the resurrection, ordinary earthly marriage does not continue in the same form.

Read the Scripture Matthew 22:30; Mark 12:25; Luke 20:34–36

King James Version

Matthew 22:30

³⁰For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

Mark 12:25

²⁵For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.

Luke 20:34–36

³⁴And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:
³⁵But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
³⁶Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

Resurrected people cannot die anymore and are like angels in that respect.

Read the Scripture Luke 20:35–36

King James Version

Luke 20:35–36

³⁵But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
³⁶Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

Remain watchful and faithful while the master is away.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:45–51; Mark 13:33–37; Luke 12:35–48

King James Version

Matthew 24:45–51

⁴⁵Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
⁴⁶Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
⁴⁷Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
⁴⁸But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
⁴⁹And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
⁵⁰The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
⁵¹And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Mark 13:33–37

³³Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
³⁴For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
³⁵Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
³⁶Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
³⁷And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Luke 12:35–48

³⁵Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
³⁶And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
³⁷Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
³⁸And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
³⁹And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
⁴⁰Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
⁴¹Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?
⁴²And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
⁴³Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
⁴⁴Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
⁴⁵But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
⁴⁶The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
⁴⁷And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
⁴⁸But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Jesus prepares a place for his people and will bring them to himself.

Read the Scripture John 14:2–3

King James Version

John 14:2–3

²In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Fear God, whose judgment reaches beyond physical death.

Read the Scripture Matthew 10:28; Luke 12:4–5

King James Version

Matthew 10:28

²⁸And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Luke 12:4–5

⁴And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
⁵But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Jesus answers Sadducees by affirming resurrection and correcting ignorance of Scripture and God's power.

Read the Scripture Matthew 22:23–33; Mark 12:18–27; Luke 20:27–40

King James Version

Matthew 22:23–33

²³The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
²⁴Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
²⁵Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:
²⁶Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
²⁷And last of all the woman died also.
²⁸Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
²⁹Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
³⁰For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
³¹But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
³²I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
³³And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

Mark 12:18–27

¹⁸Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,
¹⁹Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man’s brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
²⁰Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.
²¹And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise.
²²And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also.
²³In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.
²⁴And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?
²⁵For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.
²⁶And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
²⁷He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.

Luke 20:27–40

²⁷Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,
²⁸Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man’s brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
²⁹There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.
³⁰And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.
³¹And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.
³²Last of all the woman died also.
³³Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.
³⁴And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:
³⁵But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
³⁶Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
³⁷Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
³⁸For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.
³⁹Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said.
⁴⁰And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.

Jesus warns of severe judgment on leaders who persecute God's messengers.

Read the Scripture Matthew 23:33–36

King James Version

Matthew 23:33–36

³³Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
³⁴Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
³⁵That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
³⁶Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.

The weeds among wheat teach that good and evil coexist until final divine separation.

Read the Scripture Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43

King James Version

Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43

²⁴Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
²⁵But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
²⁶But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
²⁷So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
²⁸He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
²⁹But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
³⁰Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
³⁶Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
³⁷He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
³⁸The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
³⁹The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
⁴⁰As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
⁴¹The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
⁴²And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
⁴³Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

The dragnet teaches broad gathering followed by final separation of righteous and wicked.

Read the Scripture Matthew 13:47–50

King James Version

Matthew 13:47–50

⁴⁷Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
⁴⁸Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
⁴⁹So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
⁵⁰And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

The wicked tenants teach judgment on leaders who reject God's messengers and finally his Son.

Read the Scripture Matthew 21:33–46; Mark 12:1–12; Luke 20:9–19

King James Version

Matthew 21:33–46

³³Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:
³⁴And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.
³⁵And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
³⁶Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.
³⁷But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
³⁸But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
³⁹And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.
⁴⁰When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
⁴¹They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
⁴²Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
⁴³Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
⁴⁴And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
⁴⁵And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.
⁴⁶But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.

Mark 12:1–12

¹And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.
²And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.
³And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.
⁴And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled.
⁵And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some.
⁶Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.
⁷But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.
⁸And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.
⁹What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.
¹⁰And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:
¹¹This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
¹²And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.

Luke 20:9–19

⁹Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.
¹⁰And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.
¹¹And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.
¹²And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.
¹³Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.
¹⁴But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.
¹⁵So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?
¹⁶He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.
¹⁷And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?
¹⁸Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
¹⁹And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

The wedding banquet teaches that refusing God's invitation brings judgment and receiving it calls for a fitting response.

Read the Scripture Matthew 22:1–14

King James Version

Matthew 22:1–14

¹And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
²The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
³And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
⁴Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
⁵But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
⁶And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
⁷But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
⁸Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
⁹Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
¹⁰So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
¹¹And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
¹²And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
¹³Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
¹⁴For many are called, but few are chosen.

The fig tree illustration teaches discernment of approaching fulfillment.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:32–35; Mark 13:28–31; Luke 21:29–33

King James Version

Matthew 24:32–35

³²Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
³³So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
³⁴Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
³⁵Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Mark 13:28–31

²⁸Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:
²⁹So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.
³⁰Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
³¹Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Luke 21:29–33

²⁹And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
³⁰When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
³¹So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
³²Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
³³Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

The homeowner and thief teach constant readiness because the Son of Man comes unexpectedly.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:43–44; Luke 12:39–40

King James Version

Matthew 24:43–44

⁴³But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
⁴⁴Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Luke 12:39–40

³⁹And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
⁴⁰Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

The ten virgins teach preparedness for a delayed and sudden arrival.

Read the Scripture Matthew 25:1–13

King James Version

Matthew 25:1–13

¹Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
²And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
³They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
⁴But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
⁵While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
⁶And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
⁷Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
⁸And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
⁹But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
¹⁰And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
¹¹Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
¹²But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
¹³Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

The sheep and goats teach final judgment in which treatment of the needy reveals allegiance to the King.

Read the Scripture Matthew 25:31–46

King James Version

Matthew 25:31–46

³¹When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
³²And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
³³And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
³⁴Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
³⁵For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
³⁶Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
³⁷Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
³⁸When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
³⁹Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
⁴⁰And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
⁴¹Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
⁴²For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
⁴³I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
⁴⁴Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
⁴⁵Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
⁴⁶And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

The watchful servants teach readiness for the master's return.

Read the Scripture Luke 12:35–38

King James Version

Luke 12:35–38

³⁵Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
³⁶And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
³⁷Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
³⁸And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

The parable of the pounds teaches faithful stewardship during the king's absence and accountability at his return.

Read the Scripture Luke 19:11–27

King James Version

Luke 19:11–27

¹¹And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
¹²He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
¹³And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
¹⁴But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
¹⁵And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
¹⁶Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.
¹⁷And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
¹⁸And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
¹⁹And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
²⁰And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
²¹For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
²²And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
²³Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
²⁴And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
²⁵(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
²⁶For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
²⁷But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Read the Scripture Matthew 7:19

King James Version

Matthew 7:19

¹⁹Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Some will come from east and west into the kingdom while unbelieving heirs are cast out.

Read the Scripture Matthew 8:11–12; Luke 13:28–29

King James Version

Matthew 8:11–12

¹¹And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
¹²But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Luke 13:28–29

²⁸There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
²⁹And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.

Judgment on towns rejecting greater revelation will be more severe than Sodom's.

Read the Scripture Matthew 10:15; 11:20–24; Luke 10:12–15

King James Version

Matthew 10:15

¹⁵Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

Matthew 11:20–24

²⁰Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
²¹Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
²²But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
²³And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
²⁴But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

Luke 10:12–15

¹²But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.
¹³Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
¹⁴But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.
¹⁵And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.

Greater revelation brings greater accountability.

Read the Scripture Matthew 11:20–24; Luke 12:47–48

King James Version

Matthew 11:20–24

²⁰Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
²¹Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
²²But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
²³And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
²⁴But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

Luke 12:47–48

⁴⁷And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
⁴⁸But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Nineveh and the queen of the South will rise in judgment against those rejecting greater revelation.

Read the Scripture Matthew 12:41–42; Luke 11:31–32

King James Version

Matthew 12:41–42

⁴¹The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
⁴²The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

Luke 11:31–32

³¹The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
³²The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

At the end of the age, angels separate evil from righteous.

Read the Scripture Matthew 13:40–43, 49–50

King James Version

Matthew 13:40–43, 49–50

⁴⁰As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
⁴¹The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
⁴²And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
⁴³Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
⁴⁹So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
⁵⁰And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Final judgment is pictured as a fiery furnace with weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Read the Scripture Matthew 13:42, 50

King James Version

Matthew 13:42, 50

⁴²And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
⁵⁰And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

The righteous will shine like the sun in the Father's kingdom.

Read the Scripture Matthew 13:43

King James Version

Matthew 13:43

⁴³Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

It is better to lose a bodily member than for the whole person to be cast into hell.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:29–30; 18:8–9; Mark 9:43–48

King James Version

Matthew 5:29–30

²⁹And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
³⁰And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Matthew 18:8–9

⁸Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
⁹And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

Mark 9:43–48

⁴³And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
⁴⁴Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
⁴⁵And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
⁴⁶Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
⁴⁷And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
⁴⁸Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Textual note: Mark 9:44 and Mark 9:46 are not found in some of the earliest manuscripts.

Jerusalem's temple would be destroyed.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:1–2; Mark 13:1–2; Luke 21:5–6

King James Version

Matthew 24:1–2

¹And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
²And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Mark 13:1–2

¹And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!
²And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Luke 21:5–6

⁵And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,
⁶As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Many false Christs will come and deceive many.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:4–5, 23–26; Mark 13:5–6, 21–23; Luke 21:8

King James Version

Matthew 24:4–5, 23–26

⁴And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
⁵For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
²³Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
²⁴For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
²⁵Behold, I have told you before.
²⁶Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

Mark 13:5–6, 21–23

⁵And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:
⁶For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
²¹And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:
²²For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
²³But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

Luke 21:8

⁸And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

Wars and rumors of wars do not by themselves mean the end has arrived.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:6; Mark 13:7; Luke 21:9

King James Version

Matthew 24:6

⁶And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

Mark 13:7

⁷And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.

Luke 21:9

⁹But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.

Wars, famines, earthquakes, pestilences, and terrors are beginning signs, not automatic proof of the final moment.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:6–8; Mark 13:7–8; Luke 21:9–11

King James Version

Matthew 24:6–8

⁶And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
⁷For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
⁸All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Mark 13:7–8

⁷And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.
⁸For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

Luke 21:9–11

⁹But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
¹⁰Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
¹¹And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

Disciples will face persecution, hatred, betrayal, and death.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:9–10; Mark 13:9–13; Luke 21:12–19

King James Version

Matthew 24:9–10

⁹Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
¹⁰And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

Mark 13:9–13

⁹But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
¹⁰And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
¹¹But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
¹²Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.
¹³And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Luke 21:12–19

¹²But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.
¹³And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
¹⁴Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
¹⁵For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
¹⁶And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
¹⁷And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.
¹⁸But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
¹⁹In your patience possess ye your souls.

False prophets will arise and deceive many.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:11, 24

King James Version

Matthew 24:11, 24

¹¹And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
²⁴For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Lawlessness can cause love to grow cold.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:12

King James Version

Matthew 24:12

¹²And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

The one who endures to the end will be saved.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:13; Mark 13:13

King James Version

Matthew 24:13

¹³But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Mark 13:13

¹³And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

The gospel will be proclaimed broadly before the end.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:14; Mark 13:10

King James Version

Matthew 24:14

¹⁴And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Mark 13:10

¹⁰And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

When the abomination of desolation appears and Jerusalem is surrounded by armies, those in Judea must flee without delay.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:15–22; Mark 13:14–20; Luke 21:20–24

King James Version

Matthew 24:15–22

¹⁵When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
¹⁶Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
¹⁷Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
¹⁸Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
¹⁹And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
²⁰But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
²¹For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
²²And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

Mark 13:14–20

¹⁴But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judæa flee to the mountains:
¹⁵And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:
¹⁶And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.
¹⁷But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
¹⁸And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.
¹⁹For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
²⁰And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

Luke 21:20–24

²⁰And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
²¹Then let them which are in Judæa flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
²²For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
²³But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
²⁴And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Do not delay urgent flight by returning for possessions.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:17–18; Mark 13:15–16; Luke 17:31

King James Version

Matthew 24:17–18

¹⁷Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
¹⁸Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

Mark 13:15–16

¹⁵And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:
¹⁶And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.

Luke 17:31

³¹In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.

Great tribulation will be severe but limited for the sake of the elect.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:21–22; Mark 13:19–20

King James Version

Matthew 24:21–22

²¹For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
²²And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

Mark 13:19–20

¹⁹For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
²⁰And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

Do not believe claims that Christ's return is hidden in a private location.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:23–26; Mark 13:21–23

King James Version

Matthew 24:23–26

²³Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
²⁴For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
²⁵Behold, I have told you before.
²⁶Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

Mark 13:21–23

²¹And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:
²²For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
²³But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

The Son of Man's coming will be unmistakable like lightning.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:27; Luke 17:24

King James Version

Matthew 24:27

²⁷For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Luke 17:24

²⁴For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.

Cosmic signs will accompany the coming of the Son of Man with power and great glory.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:29–30; Mark 13:24–26; Luke 21:25–27

King James Version

Matthew 24:29–30

²⁹Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
³⁰And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Mark 13:24–26

²⁴But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
²⁵And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.
²⁶And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

Luke 21:25–27

²⁵And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
²⁶Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
²⁷And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

The Son of Man will send angels to gather his elect.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:31; Mark 13:27

King James Version

Matthew 24:31

³¹And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Mark 13:27

²⁷And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

Jesus' words will not pass away, even when heaven and earth pass away.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33

King James Version

Matthew 24:35

³⁵Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Mark 13:31

³¹Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Luke 21:33

³³Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

No human knows the day or hour; the Father has unique knowledge of that timing.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32

King James Version

Matthew 24:36

³⁶But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Mark 13:32

³²But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

The days of Noah illustrate ordinary life continuing until sudden judgment.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:37–39; Luke 17:26–27

King James Version

Matthew 24:37–39

³⁷But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
³⁸For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
³⁹And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Luke 17:26–27

²⁶And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
²⁷They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

The days of Lot also show sudden judgment falling in the middle of ordinary life.

Read the Scripture Luke 17:28–30

King James Version

Luke 17:28–30

²⁸Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
²⁹But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
³⁰Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

Remember Lot's wife.

Read the Scripture Luke 17:32

King James Version

Luke 17:32

³²Remember Lot’s wife.

People in close proximity may experience radically different outcomes at the coming.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:40–41; Luke 17:34–35

King James Version

Matthew 24:40–41

⁴⁰Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
⁴¹Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Luke 17:34–35

³⁴I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
³⁵Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Faithful servants are blessed when found doing their duty at the master's return.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:45–47; Luke 12:42–44

King James Version

Matthew 24:45–47

⁴⁵Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
⁴⁶Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
⁴⁷Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

Luke 12:42–44

⁴²And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
⁴³Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
⁴⁴Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

Abusing others during an apparent delay brings severe judgment.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:48–51; Luke 12:45–46

King James Version

Matthew 24:48–51

⁴⁸But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
⁴⁹And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
⁵⁰The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
⁵¹And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Luke 12:45–46

⁴⁵But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
⁴⁶The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

The ten virgins warn that readiness cannot always be borrowed at the last moment.

Read the Scripture Matthew 25:1–13

King James Version

Matthew 25:1–13

¹Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
²And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
³They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
⁴But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
⁵While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
⁶And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
⁷Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
⁸And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
⁹But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
¹⁰And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
¹¹Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
¹²But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
¹³Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Final judgment distinguishes faithful stewardship from fearful refusal to use entrusted gifts.

Read the Scripture Matthew 25:14–30

King James Version

Matthew 25:14–30

¹⁴For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
¹⁵And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
¹⁶Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
¹⁷And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
¹⁸But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
¹⁹After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
²⁰And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
²¹His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
²²He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
²³His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
²⁴Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
²⁵And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
²⁶His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
²⁷Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
²⁸Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
²⁹For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
³⁰And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The righteous inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world.

Read the Scripture Matthew 25:34

King James Version

Matthew 25:34

³⁴Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Final punishment and eternal life are set in parallel contrast.

Read the Scripture Matthew 25:46

King James Version

Matthew 25:46

⁴⁶And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Those who reject the King are pictured as departing into eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Read the Scripture Matthew 25:41

King James Version

Matthew 25:41

⁴¹Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

There is a resurrection of life and a resurrection of judgment.

Read the Scripture John 5:29

King James Version

John 5:29

²⁹And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

The ruler of this world is judged.

Read the Scripture John 16:11

King James Version

John 16:11

¹¹Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

Do not let dissipation, drunkenness, and life anxieties dull readiness.

Read the Scripture Luke 21:34–36

King James Version

Luke 21:34–36

³⁴And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
³⁵For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
³⁶Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Pray for strength to stand before the Son of Man.

Read the Scripture Luke 21:36

King James Version

Luke 21:36

³⁶Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

When these signs begin, look up and lift your heads, because your redemption draws near.

Read the Scripture Luke 21:28

King James Version

Luke 21:28

²⁸And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Jerusalem will be trampled until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Read the Scripture Luke 21:20–24

King James Version

Luke 21:20–24

²⁰And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
²¹Then let them which are in Judæa flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
²²For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
²³But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
²⁴And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Do not reduce the kingdom's final manifestation to sensational claims of "here" or "there."

Read the Scripture Luke 17:20–24

King James Version

Luke 17:20–24

²⁰And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
²¹Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
²²And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.
²³And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.
²⁴For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.

The Son of Man must first suffer and be rejected before final manifestation.

Read the Scripture Luke 17:25

King James Version

Luke 17:25

²⁵But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.

See that no one leads you astray about the end.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:4; Mark 13:5; Luke 21:8

King James Version

Matthew 24:4

⁴And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

Mark 13:5

⁵And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:

Luke 21:8

⁸And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

Stay awake and be ready.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:42–44; 25:13; Mark 13:33–37; Luke 12:35–40; 21:34–36

King James Version

Matthew 24:42–44

⁴²Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
⁴³But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
⁴⁴Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Matthew 25:13

¹³Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Mark 13:33–37

³³Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
³⁴For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
³⁵Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
³⁶Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
³⁷And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Luke 12:35–40

³⁵Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
³⁶And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
³⁷Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
³⁸And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
³⁹And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
⁴⁰Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

Luke 21:34–36

³⁴And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
³⁵For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
³⁶Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Weep for yourselves and your children rather than for Jesus in view of Jerusalem's coming judgment.

Read the Scripture Luke 23:28–31

King James Version

Luke 23:28–31

²⁸But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
²⁹For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
³⁰Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.
³¹For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

Jesus' death brings judgment on the world and the casting out of its ruler.

Read the Scripture John 12:31–33

King James Version

John 12:31–33

³¹Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
³²And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
³³This he said, signifying what death he should die.

The Spirit convicts concerning judgment because the ruler of this world is judged.

Read the Scripture John 16:11

King James Version

John 16:11

¹¹Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

Jesus grieves over Jerusalem rather than gloating over coming judgment.

Read the Scripture Matthew 23:37–39; Luke 19:41–44

King James Version

Matthew 23:37–39

³⁷O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
³⁸Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
³⁹For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Luke 19:41–44

⁴¹And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
⁴²Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
⁴³For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
⁴⁴And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

Jesus' compassion does not eliminate moral seriousness or judgment.

Read the Scripture Matthew 11:20–24; 23; 25:31–46

King James Version

Matthew 11:20–24

²⁰Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
²¹Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
²²But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
²³And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
²⁴But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

Matthew 23

¹Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
²Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:
³All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
⁴For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
⁵But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
⁶And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
⁷And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
⁸But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
⁹And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
¹⁰Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
¹¹But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
¹²And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
¹³But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
¹⁴Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
¹⁵Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
¹⁶Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
¹⁷Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
¹⁸And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
¹⁹Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
²⁰Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
²¹And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
²²And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
²³Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
²⁴Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
²⁵Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
²⁶Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
²⁷Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
²⁸Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
²⁹Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
³⁰And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
³¹Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
³²Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
³³Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
³⁴Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
³⁵That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
³⁶Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
³⁷O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
³⁸Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
³⁹For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Matthew 25:31–46

³¹When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
³²And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
³³And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
³⁴Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
³⁵For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
³⁶Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
³⁷Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
³⁸When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
³⁹Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
⁴⁰And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
⁴¹Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
⁴²For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
⁴³I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
⁴⁴Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
⁴⁵Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
⁴⁶And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Textual note: Matthew 23:14 is not found in some of the earliest manuscripts.

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