20. If the Lord had not cut the time short, no one would live. But because of God's chosen people, he has shortened it.
21. "At that time someone may say to you, 'Look! Here is the Christ!' Or, 'Look! There he is!' Do not believe it.
22. False Christs and false prophets will appear. They will do signs and miracles. They will try to fool God's chosen people if possible.
23. Keep watch! I have told you everything ahead of time.
24. "So in those days there will be terrible suffering. After that, Scripture says, " 'The sun will be darkened. The moon will not shine.
25. The stars will fall from the sky. The heavenly bodies will be shaken.' (Isaiah 13:10; 34:4)
26. "At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds. He will come with great power and glory.
27. He will send his angels. He will gather his chosen people from all four directions. He will bring them from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.
28. "Learn a lesson from the fig tree. As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.
29. In the same way, when you see those things happening, you know that the end is near. It is right at the door.
30. What I'm about to tell you is true. The people living at that time will certainly not pass away until all those things have happened.
31. Heaven and earth will pass away. But my words will never pass away.
32. "No one knows about that day or hour. Not even the angels in heaven know. The Son does not know. Only the Father knows.
33. "Keep watch! Stay awake! You do not know when that time will come.
34. It's like a man going away. He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge. Each one is given a task to do. He tells the one at the door to keep watch.
35. "So keep watch! You do not know when the owner of the house will come back. It may be in the evening or at midnight. It may be when the rooster crows or at dawn.
36. He may come suddenly. So do not let him find you sleeping.