**The Olivet Discourse: A Warning and a Promise**

The sun hung low over Jerusalem, casting long shadows across the Mount of Olives as Jesus sat with His disciples, gazing upon the city and the great temple that stood at its heart. The massive stones of the temple complex gleamed in the fading light, a testament to human grandeur and devotion. Yet, as one of the disciples marveled at its splendor, Jesus turned to them with solemn eyes.

*”Do you see these great buildings?”* He said, His voice heavy with prophecy. *”Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”*

A stunned silence fell over the disciples. The temple, the very center of their faith, destroyed? Peter, James, John, and Andrew drew closer as they descended the mount, their voices hushed with urgency.

*”Tell us,”* they pleaded, *”when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”*

Jesus sat on a rocky outcrop, the breeze stirring His robes as He gathered them near. His words were measured, filled with warning and hope.

*”Watch out that no one deceives you,”* He began. *”Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many.”* His gaze was piercing, as if He could already see the false messiahs who would rise in the days to come.

*”When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.”*

The disciples exchanged uneasy glances. The world they knew would be shaken, torn by strife and suffering. But Jesus pressed on, His voice unwavering.

*”You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me, you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them.”*

Peter’s jaw tightened at the thought of persecution, but Jesus continued, His tone softening with reassurance.

*”But the gospel must first be preached to all nations. And when they arrest you and bring you to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.”*

A murmur passed among them. Even in suffering, they would not be abandoned.

Then Jesus’ words grew darker still.

*”Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”*

The weight of His warning settled upon them like a storm cloud. Yet, amid the coming darkness, a promise shone through.

*”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.”*

Jesus described a time of unparalleled distress, a tribulation so severe that 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.”*

And then, He spoke of false prophets, of messiahs who would arise, performing signs and wonders to deceive even the elect.

*”So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.”*

The disciples listened, their hearts pounding with the gravity of His words. But then, as the sky deepened into twilight, Jesus spoke of the end.

*”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.”*

He lifted His eyes toward the heavens, as if beholding the final act of history.

*”At that time, people 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.”*

A shiver ran through them—awe, fear, hope. The King would return.

Then, with the tenderness of a teacher ensuring His students understood, Jesus told them a parable.

*”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. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door.”*

He leaned forward, His voice dropping to a whisper.

*”Truly I tell you, 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.”*

The disciples sat in stunned silence. The temple would fall. Persecution would come. The world would convulse. But the Son of Man would return in glory.

Then came His final command, ringing through the ages:

*”Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.”*

Like servants awaiting their master’s return, they must watch, for He could come at any moment.

*”What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!”*

And with that, the night settled over the Mount of Olives, the disciples left to ponder His words—words of warning, of tribulation, but above all, of hope. For though the world would crumble, the promise stood firm: the Son of Man would come again.

And they must be ready.