Mark 13:24-37

24“But in those days, after [the suffering and distress of] that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,

25and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.

26Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory [in royal majesty and splendor].

27And then He will send out the angels, and will gather together His elect [those He has chosen for Himself] from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.

28“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: as soon as its branch becomes tender and it puts out its leaves, you recognize that summer is near.

29Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, know [for certain] that He is near, right at the door.

30I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this generation [the people living when these signs and events begin] will not pass away until all these things take place.

31Heaven and earth [as now known] will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

32But of that [exact] day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son [in His humanity], but the Father alone.

33“Be on guard and stay constantly alert [and pray]; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.

34It is like a man away on a journey, who when he left home put his servants in charge, each with his particular task, and also ordered the doorkeeper to be continually alert.

35Therefore, be continually on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—

36[stay alert,] in case he should come suddenly and unexpectedly and find you asleep and unprepared.

37What I say to you I say to everyone, ‘Be on the alert [stay awake and be continually cautious]!’ ”