The Widow's Offering Luke 21.1-4; Mark 12.41-44
Looking up, [Jesus] saw the rich people putting their gifts into the treasury. 2And He saw also a poor widow putting in two mites (copper coins). 3And He said, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow has put in mire than all of them; 4for they all gave out of their abundance (their surplus); but she has contributed out of her lack and herwant, putting in all that she had on which to live."
The Destruction of the Temple Foretold Luke 21.5-6; Matthew 24.1-2; Mark 13.1-2
5
And as some were saying of the temple that it was decorated with handsome (shapely and magnificent) stones and consecrated offerings [laid up to be kept], He said, 6"As for all this that you [thoughtfully] look at, the time will come when there shall not left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down."
Signs and Persecutions Luke 21.7-19; Matthew 24.3-14; Mark 13.3-13
7
And they asked Him, "Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when this is about to occur?" 8And He said, "Be on your guard and be careful that you are not led astray; for many will come in My name [appropriating to themselves the name Messiah which belongs to Me], saying, 'I am He!' and, 'The time is at hand!' Do not go out after them.9
And when you hear of wars and insurrections (disturbance, disorder, and confusion), do not become alarmed and panic-stricken and terrified; for all this must take place first, but the end will not [come] immediately." 10Then He told them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. [2Chron 15.6; Isa 19.2] 11There will be mighty and violent earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences (plagues: malagnant and cantagious or infectious epidemic diseases which are deadly and devastating); and there will be sights of terror and great signs from heaven.12
But precious to all this, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, turning you over to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be led away before kings and governors for My name's sake. 13This will be a time (an opportunity) for you to bear testimony. 14Resolve and settle it in your minds not to meditate and prepare beforehand how you are to make your defense and how you will answer. 15For I [Myself] will give you a mouth and such utterance and wisdom that all of your foes combined will be unable to stand against or refute. 16You will be delivered up and betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and [some] of you they will put to death. 17And you will be hated (despised) by everyone because [you bear] My name and for its sake. 18But not a hair of your head shall perish. [1Sam 14.45] 19By your steadfastness and patient endurance you shall win the true life of your souls.
The Destruction of Jerusalem Foretold Luke 21.20-24; Matthew 24.15-21; Mark 13.14-19
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"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know and understand that its desolation has come near. 21Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside [the city] get out of it, and let not those who are out in the country come into it; 22for those are days of vengeance [of rendering full justice or satisfaction], that all things that are written may be fulfilled. 23Alas for those who are pregnant and for those who have babies which they are nursing in those days! For great misery and anguish and distress shall be upon the land and indignation and punishment and retribution upon this people. 24They will fall by the mouth and the edge of the sword and will be led away as captives to and among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled (complete). [Isa 63.18; Dan 8.13]
The Coming of the Son of Man Luke 21.25-28; Matthew 24.29-35; Mark 13.24-31
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"And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; and upon the earth [there will be] distress (trouble and anguish) of nations in bewilderment and perplexity [without recources, left wanting, embarrassed, in doubt, not knowing which way to turn] at the roaring (the echo) of the tossing of the sea, [Isa 13.10; Joel 2.10; Zeph 1.15] 26men swooning away or expiring with fear and dread and apprehension and expectation of the things that are coming on the world; for the [very] powers of the heavens will be shaken and caused to totter. 27And they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with great (trenscendent and overwhelming) power and [all His kingly] glory (majesty and splendor). [Dan 7.13,14] 28Now when these things begin to occur, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption (deliverance) is drawing near."
The Lesson of the Fig Tree Luke 21.29-33
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And He told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30when they put forth their buds and come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and perceive and know that summer is already near. 31Even so, when you see these things taking place, understand and know that the kingdom of God is at hand. 32Truly I tell you, this generation (those living at that definite period of time) will not perish and pass away until all has taken place. 33The sky and the earth (that is, the universe, the world) will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
Exhortation to Watch Luke 21.34-38
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"But take heed of yourselves and be on your guard, lest your hearts be overburdened and depressed (weighed down) with the giddiness and headache and nausea of self-indulgence, drunkenness, and worldly worries and cares pertaining to [the business of] this life, and [lest] that day come upon you suddenly like a trap or a noose; 35for it will come upon all who live upon the face of the entire earth. 36Keep awake then and watch at all times [be discreet, attentive, and ready], praying that you may have the full strength and ability and be accounted worthy to escape all these things [taken together] that will take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man."37
Now in the daytime Jesus was teaching in [the porches and courts of] the temple, but at night He would go out and stay on the mount called Olivet. 38And early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple [porches or courts] to listen to Him.