The Saints Gospel 134
The Beginning of Birth Pains
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Woven from Matthew 24:1–14 · Mark 13:1–13 · Luke 21:5–19
As Jesus went out of the temple, His disciples spoke of its buildings, beautiful stones, and dedicated offerings. One said, “Teacher, look! What stones and what buildings!” He answered, “Do you see these great buildings? Days will come when not one stone will be left upon another without being torn down.” Sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, He was approached privately by Peter, James, John, and Andrew. They asked, “Tell us, when will these things be? What will be the sign when they are all about to be fulfilled, and of Your coming and the consummation of the age?”
Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will lead many astray. You will hear wars and reports of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for these things must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these things are the beginning of birth pains.
“Many will say, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Do not go after them. When you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified; these must happen first, but the end will not come immediately. There will be plagues, terrors, and great signs from heaven. Watch yourselves. Before all these things they will lay hands on you and persecute you, handing you over to councils, synagogues, and prisons. You will be beaten in synagogues and stand before governors and kings because of My name, as a testimony to them.
“When they lead you away and hand you over, do not be anxious or rehearse beforehand how to defend yourselves. Say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. I will give you a mouth and wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict. Brother will hand over brother to death, a father his child; children will rise against parents and put them to death. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all because of My name. Yet not a hair from your head will perish. By your endurance gain your souls.
“Then many will stumble, hand one another over, and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. Because lawlessness increases, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in the whole inhabited world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
← 133 The Hour Has Come · The Saints Gospel: all scenes · 135 The Desolation and the Coming of the Son of Man →
Saints Translation · The Saints Gospel · a harmony of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts 1 · words of Christ in red · working draft awaiting specialist review.