The Christines upon Mount Olives. Jesus prophecies the destruction of Jerusalem, and of terrible disasters that will mark the conclusion of the age. He exhorts his disciples to faithfulness.
Then Jesus with the twelve went forth and sat upon Mount Olives, just beyond the city’s gate.
2 And his disciples said, Behold the wondrous city of Jerusalem! its homes are all so beautiful! its temples and its shrines are clothed in such magnificence!
3 And Jesus said, The city is the glory of my people, Israel, but, lo, the time will come when every stone will be cast down, and it will be a hiss and byword for the nations of the earth.
4 And the disciples asked, When will this desolation come?
5 And Jesus said, This round of human life will not be full until the armies of the conqueror will thunder at her gates, and they will enter in, and blood will flow like water through the streets.
6 And all the precious furnishings of temple, court and palaces will be destroyed, or carried off to deck the palaces and courts of kings.
7 Behold, these days are not at hand. Before they come, lo, you shall be maltreated by the scribes and Pharisees, the high priests and the doctors of the law.
8 Without a cause you will be haled into the courts; you will be stoned; you will be beaten in the synagogues; will stand condemned before the rulers of this world, and governors and kings will sentence you to death.
9 But you will falter not, and you will testify for truth and righteousness.