Mark 13

The Olivet Discourse — destruction of the temple and signs of the end.

Jesus prophesies that not one stone of the temple will be left upon another. On the Mount of Olives, Peter, James, John, and Andrew ask privately when these things will be. Jesus warns of wars, earthquakes, famines, persecutions, false christs, and false prophets. The "abomination of desolation" will appear, and great tribulation will follow — days so terrible that for the elect's sake they will be shortened. After the tribulation, the sun and moon will be darkened, the stars will fall, and the Son of Man will come in the clouds with great power and glory to gather His elect. Jesus emphasizes that no one knows the day or hour — not the angels, nor the Son, but only the Father — and concludes, "Watch!"