20. If the Lord does not reduce that time, no one will be saved. But those days will be reduced because of those whom God has chosen.
21. “At that time don’t believe anyone who tells you, ‘Here is the Messiah!’ or ‘There he is!’
22. False messiahs and false prophets will appear. They will work miraculous signs and do wonderful things to deceive, if possible, those whom God has chosen.
23. Be on your guard! I have told you everything before it happens.
24. “Now, after the misery of those days, the sun will turn dark, the moon will not give light,
25. the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the universe will be shaken.
26. “Then people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
27. He will send out his angels, and from every direction under the sky, they will gather those whom God has chosen.
28. “Learn from the story of the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and it sprouts leaves, you know summer is near.
29. In the same way, when you see these things happen, you know that he is near, at the door.
30. “I can guarantee this truth: This generation will not disappear until all these things take place.
31. The earth and the heavens will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
32. “No one knows when that day or hour will come. Even the angels in heaven and the Son don’t know. Only the Father knows.
33. Be careful! Watch! You don’t know the exact time.
34. It is like a man who went on a trip. As he left home, he put his servants in charge. He assigned work to each one and ordered the guard to be alert.
35. Therefore, be alert, because you don’t know when the owner of the house will return. It could be in the evening or at midnight or at dawn or in the morning.
36. Make sure he doesn’t come suddenly and find you asleep.