JC watched rich men giving their gifts to the treasury and a certain poor widow giving two mites, which I’m going to take a small coin instead of tiny bugs. He tells the folk, truly the widow has given more than all of those rich folk. They have an abundance of wealth to give, she had very little to give and she gave it all.
Somebody started talking about how nicely decorated the temple wall with all of its fancy gifts. JC told them that some day the every stone would be thrown down. They asked him when this might happen. He told them to take heed that they aren’t’ deceived, because many will come saying they are the Christ. As the time grows near don’t follow them. When you hear about wars and commotion (In the middle east? Where peace has always reigned supreme?) don’t be afraid, these things have to happen first, and the end of isn’t that close. Nations will rise against nations, kingdoms against kingdoms. Great earthquake, famines, pestilence, scary sights, and read signs from heaven will be all over the place. But before all of this, they will grab you, persecute you, deliver you the synagogues and prisons, and bring you before kings and rulers in my name.
They will ask you to testify, don’t think about your answers, and settle it in your hearts. I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which your adversaries will not be able to oppose or resist.
You will be betrayed by parents, brethrens, kinsfolk, and friends, some of you will be put to death. Yay! Something to look forward too! Thanks JC! Now tell us how we will have ice-cream in heaven. You will be hated in my name, but not a hair on you head will perish. Dude, you just told us that some of us will die! He must be talking about that here after again. In your patience you posses your souls. I guess we shouldn’t lose our patience.
When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you know that the desolation is near. Let those in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the middle of it leave, and don’t let the other countries in. These are the day of vengeance, that all thing that are written will be fulfilled.
Woe to those who are with child, and those who have suckling babies, in those days, there will be great distress in the land and wrath on the people. And they will fall by the sword, and led away as captives to all nations, and Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles until the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled. There will signs in the stars, the moon and the sun. On earth there will be the distress of nations with perplexity and the sea and the waves roaring. Men’s hearts will be afraid and fail, the powers of heaven will be shaken, from looking after the things which are coming on earth. They will see the son of man coming in a cloud with great power and glory. When these things come to pass, look up and lift up your heads, you redemption is near.
Then he told them… shudder… another parable.
Behold the fig tree and all the trees. When they grow and bloom you know that summer is here. So likewise when see these things come to pass you know the kingdom of God is near. This generation will not pass away until all of this is fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass way by my word wont.
Well that was a blessedly short parable.
Be careful with yourselves, or your hearts by drunk with the cares of this life, and that day will catch you unaware. It will come like a snare for everyone on earth. So look for it and pray that you are worthy to escape the things that will come and to stand in front of the Son of man.
During the day JC taught in the temple and at night he went to Mount Olives. The people came to the temple early in the morning to hear him.
This was a gloomy little text.
I hate this end of the world nonsense. When Jerusalem is surrounded by armies? Uh... like, always? War and famine? Is the a time when the world isn't going through that. Come on JC, either give us something concrete, or don't bother.
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