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- "When you see 'the abomination that causes desolation'standing where it does not belong--let the reader understand--then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
- Let no one on the roof of his house go down or enter the house to take anything out.
- Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak.
- How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!
- Pray that this will not take place in winter,
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- "But when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.
- "The one who is on the housetop must not go down, or go in to get anything out of his house;
- and the one who is in the field must not turn back to get his coat.
- "But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!
- "But pray that it may not happen in the winter.
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- because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now--and never to be equaled again.
- If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them.
- At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it.
- For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect--if that were possible.
- So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.
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- "For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will.
- "Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days.
- "And then if anyone says to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ'; or, 'Behold, He is there'; do not believe him;
- for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect.
- "But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance.
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- "But in those days, following that distress, " 'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;
- the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'
- "At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
- And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.
- "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.
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- "But in those days, after that tribulation, THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT,
- AND THE STARS WILL BE FALLING from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.
- "Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with great power and glory.
- "And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.
- "Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.
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- Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door.
- I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
- Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
- "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
- Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.
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- "Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door.
- "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.
- "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
- "But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.
- "Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.
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- It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
- "Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back--whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.
- If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.
- What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' "
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- "It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert.
- "Therefore, be on the alert--for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning--
- in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep.
- "What I say to you I say to all, 'Be on the alert!'"
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