27. He will send his angels all around the earth. They will gather his chosen people from every part of the earth.
28. “The fig tree teaches us a lesson: When its branches become green and soft, and new leaves begin to grow, then you know that summer is very near.
29. In the same way, when you see all these things happening, you will know that the time is very near, already present.
30. I assure you that all these things will happen while some of the people of this time are still living.
31. The whole world, earth and sky, will be destroyed, but my words will last forever.
32. “No one knows when that day or time will be. The Son and the angels in heaven don’t know when that day or time will be. Only the Father knows.
33. Be careful! Always be ready. You don’t know when that time will be.
34. “It’s like a man who goes on a trip and leaves his house in the care of his servants. He gives each one a special job to do. He tells the servant guarding the door to always be ready. And this is what I am telling you now.
35. You must always be ready. You don’t know when the owner of the house will come back. He might come in the afternoon, or at midnight, or in the early morning, or when the sun rises.
36. If you are always ready, he will not find you sleeping, even if he comes back earlier than expected.
37. I tell you this, and I say it to everyone: ‘Be ready!’”