Thematic Bible




Thematic Bible



Now we conjure you, brethren, that with respect to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our being assembled with him, you would not by any pretended revelation, by any discourse or epistle ascrib'd to us, be immediately perplex'd in your minds, or under any concern for the approach of the day of the Lord. don't be led into any mistake, because the previous rebellion does not yet appear, nor the man of sin throw off the disguise, that offspring of perdition: read more.
that adversary that exalts it self above the divine authority of majesty: that is seated in the temple of God, pretending to be it self divine. don't you remember, I told you this, when I was with you? and you know what hinders his throwing off the disguise at a time which he enjoys for the present. for the secret spirit of misrule is ready to break out as soon as the obstacle is taken away: and then the lawless will be discover'd, whom the Lord will extirpate by the spirit of his mouth, and at his glorious advent, will intirely abolish him, who by the instigation of satan will make his parade with various arts, with fallacious signs and prodigies, and with all the vile methods of imposture, to the ruin of those, who are averse to the truth, by which they might be saved. wherefore God will suffer a spirit of delusion to work them into the belief of a lye: to the condemnation of all those, who instead of embracing the gospel, had pleasure in iniquity.

As Jesus was going from the temple, his disciples came and desired him to take a view of the buildings. Jesus said to them, observe this vast structure, I tell you for certain, there shall not be any part of it left standing, but it shall be all thrown into ruins. And when he was upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came to him in private, and said, tell us when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of this age? read more.
Jesus answered them, take care not to be deceived by any one: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ: and shall deceive many. ye shall hear likewise of wars, and rumours of wars: take care not to be disturb'd: for these things must happen, but the end of the Jewish age is not yet. for nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places. yet all this is but the beginning of sorrow. then shall they deliver you up to torments, and to death: and ye shall be hated by all nations upon my account. then shall many relapse, and shall pursue one another with mutual treachery and hatred. many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. and as iniquity becomes more flagrant, the zeal of many will grow cool. but he that shall persevere unto the end, shall be preserved. and this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, to testify to all nations, that the end will then come. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, mention'd by Daniel the prophet, stand about the holy place, (let him that readeth, consider it well) let those who are then in Judea, flee into the mountains, he that is on the battlements, let him not venture to go in to take any thing out of his house. if any man be in the field, let him not return back to take his coat. unhappy will they be that are with child, and they that give suck in those days. be sure to pray that your flight be not in the winter, nor on the sabbath-day: for the desolation will be so dreadful, the like was never seen since the beginning of the world, no, nor ever shall be again. for unless the time was to be short, very few could escape, but for the sake of the converts the time shall be short. Then if any shall cry, the Messiah is here, or he is there: give no credit to it. for there shall arise false Messiahs, and false prophets, and shall shew such astonishing miracles and prodigies, as to deceive, if that can do it, the very converts themselves. remember, I have forewarn'd you. wherefore, if they shall say to you, now he is in the desert, do not stir: or now, he is in the secret chambers, believe them not. for as the lightning darts from the east in an instant to the west: such shall the advent of the son of man be. for whereever the carcase is, there will the eagles be assembled. Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun shall be darkned, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. then shall that sign, the son of man in the clouds of heaven, appear: and all the tribes of the land shall mourn, and they shall see the son of man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. and he shall send his messengers, who with the shrill sound of a trumpet, shall gather together his select from the four winds, from one end of the heaven to the other. this may be illustrated by a comparison taken from a fig-tree: when the branches become tender, and push out their leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: in like manner, when ye shall see all these things happen, know that he is come to your very doors. I declare unto you, the present generation shall not cease, till all these things are pass'd. heaven and earth may fail, but my words shall never fail. As to the day and hour, that no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but the father only. as the days of Noe were, so shall also the advent of the son of man be. for as at the time that usher'd in the deluge, they were eating and drinking, marrying themselves and their children, till the day that Noe entred into the ark, having no thoughts of the flood till it came, and swept them all away; so shall also the advent of the son of man be. of two persons, who shall be then in the field, one shall be taken, and the other left. two women shall be grinding at the mill, the one shall be taken, and the other left. watch therefore, for ye know not at what hour your Lord shall come. but this you conceive, that if a man knew at what hour of the night the thief would come, he would set a watch, and not suffer his house to be broke open. therefore be ye also prepar'd: for the son of man may come at an hour you least expect.

As Jesus was going out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, see, master, what stone-work, and buildings are here. but Jesus answer'd him, you see this magnificent structure, which shall not be left till it be all demolished, one stone after another. and when he was sitting upon the mount of Olives over-against the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew said to him in private, tell us, read more.
when shall this happen? and what will be the sign that this is going to be accomplished? Jesus answer'd by saying, take care not to let any one impose upon you; for many shall come in my name, and say, I am the Messiah; and deceive many. but when ye shall hear the talk of wars, and the noise of wars, be not alarm'd; for that must happen; but the end is not yet. for nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: there shall be earthquakes in divers places, famines and commotions. these are the beginning of sorrows. then look to your selves: for they will deliver you up to the tribunals, and scourge you in the synagogues: you will be brought before governours, and princes upon my account, to be my witnesses against them. but the gospel must first be published among all nations. now when they shall lead you to deliver you up, be not sollicitous about your defence, don't premeditate upon it; but what shall be suggested to you at the very occasion, that deliver: for it is not you that will plead, but the holy spirit. then the brother shall betray his brother to death, and the father his son: children shall prosecute their parents, and be the instruments to take away their lives: you will be the object of universal hatred upon my account; but he that shall persevere unto the end, shall be saved. Now when you shall see the-abomination of desolation, mentioned by the prophet Daniel, establish'd where it ought not to be (let the reader observe) then let those, who are in Judea, flee to the mountains: he that is upon the battlements let him not descend into the house, nor enter therein to take any thing away: let not him that is in the field return back to fetch his garment. unhappy the women who are pregnant, and those who nurse children at such a time. pray that your flight be not in the winter. for the distress of that time will be such as never happen'd since the beginning of the world, which God created, to this present, nor ever shall be. so that if the Lord should suffer it to last, no man could escape: but he will not suffer the time to last long, out of regard to his elect. Then if any one shall say to you, Christ is here, or, he is there, don't believe it. for false Christs, and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and prodigies, so as to seduce, if it were possible, even the very elect. be you therefore upon your guard: remember I have forewarned you against all events. Now after the time of that distress, the sun shall be dark, and the moon shall give no light: the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. then shall they see the son of man coming in the clouds with power and great glory. then will he send his angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the remotest part of the earth, to the remotest part of heaven. Consider this similitude taken from a fig-tree: when its branch is yet tender, and pushes out its leaves, you know that summer is near: so when you shall see these things happen, know that he is nigh, even at your doors. I declare unto you, this generation shall not be extinct, till all these things be transacted.

Some having said of the temple, that the stone-work was fine, and the furniture magnificent: the time is coming, said he, when these buildings, which you now view, shall be all thrown down and lost in ruins. thereupon they said to him, master, when shall this happen? and by what sign shall we know that the event is coming? read more.
he answered, take care, that you be not seduced: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ. it won't be long e'er this happens, therefore do not follow them. And when ye shall hear of wars, and seditions, be not alarm'd. for these must first happen: but the end will not be so soon. then nation, said he, shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. great earthquakes, and famines, and pestilences shall happen in divers places: terrible appearances and surprizing prodigies shall be in the heavens. but before all these events, they will seize upon you and persecute you, drag you to the synagogues and to prisons, being accused before kings and governours, for professing my name. and that shall be one proof of the truth of your profession. fix it therefore in your mind, not to think beforehand about your defence. for I will make you speak with such strength of argument, as all your adversaries shall not be able to contradict or withstand. you will be betrayed even by your very parents, and brethren, and kindred, and friends. nay, some of you they will prosecute even to death. you will be hated by all mankind for professing my name, however a single hair of your head shall not be lost. by your perseverance you will save your souls. Now when you shall see Jerusalem invested by an army, then be assured that the desolation of it is nigh. then let those, who are in Judea, fly to the mountains: let those, who are in the city, march out, and those, who are without not venture in. for this is the time of vengeance, when all that is writ, shall be accomplished. wo to them that are with child, or to them that give suck in those days: for this will be a region of great distress, and wrath will pour down upon this people. by the destructive sword shall they fall, and be led into captivity among all nations: and Jerusalem shall be kept waste by the nations, as long as those nations shall subsist. there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars: and upon the earth distress of nations under confusion, the sea and the waves roaring. men dying with fear under the apprehension of those calamities, which are coming upon the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. and then shall they see the son of man come on a cloud, with power and great glory. now when these things begin to appear, then lift up your heads, and behold your redemption drawing nigh. Then by way of similitude, consider, said he, the fig-tree, and all the other trees; when they shoot out their buds, you know for certain that summer is coming on: in like manner, when you shall see these events, be assur'd that the kingdom of God is nigh. I tell it you for certain, this generation shall not pass away, till all these things are accomplished. heaven and earth shall fail sooner than my predictions shall fail. set a guard upon yourselves, that ye be not stupified by surfeiting and drunkenness, or by the disquietudes of this life, and so that day come upon you with a surprize. for like a snare, it shall surprize all the inhabitants of the earth. be therefore upon your guard, be constant in prayer, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all those future ills, and be able to stand in the presence of the son of God.


And unto the angel of the church in Sardis, write, "THESE things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast the reputation of being alive, but art dead. be watchful, and fortify the rest that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. remember therefore what thou hast received and heard: observe it and repent. if therefore thou art not vigilant, I will come upon thee as a thief, thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

watch therefore, for ye know not at what hour your Lord shall come. but this you conceive, that if a man knew at what hour of the night the thief would come, he would set a watch, and not suffer his house to be broke open. therefore be ye also prepar'd: for the son of man may come at an hour you least expect. read more.
If then there be a servant, appointed by his master to take care of his family, who faithfully and prudently distributes their allowance according to the establishment: happy is the servant, who shall be found so employed, at his master's return. I tell you, he shall make him steward of all his estate. but if he be dishonest, and says to himself, my Lord delays coming, and shall pretend to assault his fellow-servants, and spend his time with sots: the master of that servant will come in a day when he least expects it, and at an hour he is not aware of; and shall turn him out of the family, and give him the reward due to such behaviour: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

be ye therefore likewise prepar'd; for the son of man will come, when you least expect him.


as the days of Noe were, so shall also the advent of the son of man be. for as at the time that usher'd in the deluge, they were eating and drinking, marrying themselves and their children, till the day that Noe entred into the ark, having no thoughts of the flood till it came, and swept them all away; so shall also the advent of the son of man be. read more.
of two persons, who shall be then in the field, one shall be taken, and the other left. two women shall be grinding at the mill, the one shall be taken, and the other left. watch therefore, for ye know not at what hour your Lord shall come. but this you conceive, that if a man knew at what hour of the night the thief would come, he would set a watch, and not suffer his house to be broke open. therefore be ye also prepar'd: for the son of man may come at an hour you least expect. If then there be a servant, appointed by his master to take care of his family, who faithfully and prudently distributes their allowance according to the establishment: happy is the servant, who shall be found so employed, at his master's return. I tell you, he shall make him steward of all his estate. but if he be dishonest, and says to himself, my Lord delays coming, and shall pretend to assault his fellow-servants, and spend his time with sots: the master of that servant will come in a day when he least expects it, and at an hour he is not aware of; and shall turn him out of the family, and give him the reward due to such behaviour: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

the same thing shall happen in the son of man's time as did in Noah's days. eating and drinking, marriages and matches was the business till the very day that Noah entred into the ark, when the flood came and overwhelm'd them all. and as it was in the days of Lot, they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building: read more.
but the very day that Lot went out of Sodom, a storm of lightning and thunder fell from heaven and destroy'd them all. even thus shall it be in the day when the son of man shall appear. then let not him that is on the house-top venture down to secure his furniture: and he that is in the field, let him not return back. remember Lot's wife. he that seeks to save his life, will expose it; and he that exposes his life, will preserve it. I tell you, that of two persons lying in the same bed that night, the one shall be taken, and the other left. two women shall be grinding together, the one shall be taken, and the other left: two men shall be in the field, the one shall be taken, and the other left. then they ask'd him, where, Lord, will this happen? he reply'd, wherever the carcase is, there will the eagles hover together.


As Jesus was going from the temple, his disciples came and desired him to take a view of the buildings. Jesus said to them, observe this vast structure, I tell you for certain, there shall not be any part of it left standing, but it shall be all thrown into ruins. And when he was upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came to him in private, and said, tell us when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of this age? read more.
Jesus answered them, take care not to be deceived by any one: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ: and shall deceive many. ye shall hear likewise of wars, and rumours of wars: take care not to be disturb'd: for these things must happen, but the end of the Jewish age is not yet. for nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places. yet all this is but the beginning of sorrow. then shall they deliver you up to torments, and to death: and ye shall be hated by all nations upon my account. then shall many relapse, and shall pursue one another with mutual treachery and hatred. many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. and as iniquity becomes more flagrant, the zeal of many will grow cool. but he that shall persevere unto the end, shall be preserved. and this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, to testify to all nations, that the end will then come. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, mention'd by Daniel the prophet, stand about the holy place, (let him that readeth, consider it well) let those who are then in Judea, flee into the mountains, he that is on the battlements, let him not venture to go in to take any thing out of his house. if any man be in the field, let him not return back to take his coat. unhappy will they be that are with child, and they that give suck in those days. be sure to pray that your flight be not in the winter, nor on the sabbath-day: for the desolation will be so dreadful, the like was never seen since the beginning of the world, no, nor ever shall be again. for unless the time was to be short, very few could escape, but for the sake of the converts the time shall be short. Then if any shall cry, the Messiah is here, or he is there: give no credit to it. for there shall arise false Messiahs, and false prophets, and shall shew such astonishing miracles and prodigies, as to deceive, if that can do it, the very converts themselves. remember, I have forewarn'd you. wherefore, if they shall say to you, now he is in the desert, do not stir: or now, he is in the secret chambers, believe them not. for as the lightning darts from the east in an instant to the west: such shall the advent of the son of man be. for whereever the carcase is, there will the eagles be assembled. Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun shall be darkned, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. then shall that sign, the son of man in the clouds of heaven, appear: and all the tribes of the land shall mourn, and they shall see the son of man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. and he shall send his messengers, who with the shrill sound of a trumpet, shall gather together his select from the four winds, from one end of the heaven to the other. this may be illustrated by a comparison taken from a fig-tree: when the branches become tender, and push out their leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: in like manner, when ye shall see all these things happen, know that he is come to your very doors. I declare unto you, the present generation shall not cease, till all these things are pass'd. heaven and earth may fail, but my words shall never fail. As to the day and hour, that no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but the father only. as the days of Noe were, so shall also the advent of the son of man be. for as at the time that usher'd in the deluge, they were eating and drinking, marrying themselves and their children, till the day that Noe entred into the ark, having no thoughts of the flood till it came, and swept them all away; so shall also the advent of the son of man be. of two persons, who shall be then in the field, one shall be taken, and the other left. two women shall be grinding at the mill, the one shall be taken, and the other left. watch therefore, for ye know not at what hour your Lord shall come. but this you conceive, that if a man knew at what hour of the night the thief would come, he would set a watch, and not suffer his house to be broke open. therefore be ye also prepar'd: for the son of man may come at an hour you least expect.

As Jesus was going out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, see, master, what stone-work, and buildings are here. but Jesus answer'd him, you see this magnificent structure, which shall not be left till it be all demolished, one stone after another. and when he was sitting upon the mount of Olives over-against the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew said to him in private, tell us, read more.
when shall this happen? and what will be the sign that this is going to be accomplished? Jesus answer'd by saying, take care not to let any one impose upon you; for many shall come in my name, and say, I am the Messiah; and deceive many. but when ye shall hear the talk of wars, and the noise of wars, be not alarm'd; for that must happen; but the end is not yet. for nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: there shall be earthquakes in divers places, famines and commotions. these are the beginning of sorrows. then look to your selves: for they will deliver you up to the tribunals, and scourge you in the synagogues: you will be brought before governours, and princes upon my account, to be my witnesses against them. but the gospel must first be published among all nations. now when they shall lead you to deliver you up, be not sollicitous about your defence, don't premeditate upon it; but what shall be suggested to you at the very occasion, that deliver: for it is not you that will plead, but the holy spirit. then the brother shall betray his brother to death, and the father his son: children shall prosecute their parents, and be the instruments to take away their lives: you will be the object of universal hatred upon my account; but he that shall persevere unto the end, shall be saved. Now when you shall see the-abomination of desolation, mentioned by the prophet Daniel, establish'd where it ought not to be (let the reader observe) then let those, who are in Judea, flee to the mountains: he that is upon the battlements let him not descend into the house, nor enter therein to take any thing away: let not him that is in the field return back to fetch his garment. unhappy the women who are pregnant, and those who nurse children at such a time. pray that your flight be not in the winter. for the distress of that time will be such as never happen'd since the beginning of the world, which God created, to this present, nor ever shall be. so that if the Lord should suffer it to last, no man could escape: but he will not suffer the time to last long, out of regard to his elect. Then if any one shall say to you, Christ is here, or, he is there, don't believe it. for false Christs, and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and prodigies, so as to seduce, if it were possible, even the very elect. be you therefore upon your guard: remember I have forewarned you against all events. Now after the time of that distress, the sun shall be dark, and the moon shall give no light: the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. then shall they see the son of man coming in the clouds with power and great glory. then will he send his angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the remotest part of the earth, to the remotest part of heaven. Consider this similitude taken from a fig-tree: when its branch is yet tender, and pushes out its leaves, you know that summer is near: so when you shall see these things happen, know that he is nigh, even at your doors. I declare unto you, this generation shall not be extinct, till all these things be transacted.

Some having said of the temple, that the stone-work was fine, and the furniture magnificent: the time is coming, said he, when these buildings, which you now view, shall be all thrown down and lost in ruins. thereupon they said to him, master, when shall this happen? and by what sign shall we know that the event is coming? read more.
he answered, take care, that you be not seduced: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ. it won't be long e'er this happens, therefore do not follow them. And when ye shall hear of wars, and seditions, be not alarm'd. for these must first happen: but the end will not be so soon. then nation, said he, shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. great earthquakes, and famines, and pestilences shall happen in divers places: terrible appearances and surprizing prodigies shall be in the heavens. but before all these events, they will seize upon you and persecute you, drag you to the synagogues and to prisons, being accused before kings and governours, for professing my name. and that shall be one proof of the truth of your profession. fix it therefore in your mind, not to think beforehand about your defence. for I will make you speak with such strength of argument, as all your adversaries shall not be able to contradict or withstand. you will be betrayed even by your very parents, and brethren, and kindred, and friends. nay, some of you they will prosecute even to death. you will be hated by all mankind for professing my name, however a single hair of your head shall not be lost. by your perseverance you will save your souls. Now when you shall see Jerusalem invested by an army, then be assured that the desolation of it is nigh. then let those, who are in Judea, fly to the mountains: let those, who are in the city, march out, and those, who are without not venture in. for this is the time of vengeance, when all that is writ, shall be accomplished. wo to them that are with child, or to them that give suck in those days: for this will be a region of great distress, and wrath will pour down upon this people. by the destructive sword shall they fall, and be led into captivity among all nations: and Jerusalem shall be kept waste by the nations, as long as those nations shall subsist. there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars: and upon the earth distress of nations under confusion, the sea and the waves roaring. men dying with fear under the apprehension of those calamities, which are coming upon the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. and then shall they see the son of man come on a cloud, with power and great glory. now when these things begin to appear, then lift up your heads, and behold your redemption drawing nigh. Then by way of similitude, consider, said he, the fig-tree, and all the other trees; when they shoot out their buds, you know for certain that summer is coming on: in like manner, when you shall see these events, be assur'd that the kingdom of God is nigh. I tell it you for certain, this generation shall not pass away, till all these things are accomplished. heaven and earth shall fail sooner than my predictions shall fail. set a guard upon yourselves, that ye be not stupified by surfeiting and drunkenness, or by the disquietudes of this life, and so that day come upon you with a surprize. for like a snare, it shall surprize all the inhabitants of the earth. be therefore upon your guard, be constant in prayer, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all those future ills, and be able to stand in the presence of the son of God.


but this you conceive, that if a man knew at what hour of the night the thief would come, he would set a watch, and not suffer his house to be broke open.


And when he was upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came to him in private, and said, tell us when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of this age? Jesus answered them, take care not to be deceived by any one: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ: and shall deceive many. read more.
ye shall hear likewise of wars, and rumours of wars: take care not to be disturb'd: for these things must happen, but the end of the Jewish age is not yet. for nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places. yet all this is but the beginning of sorrow. then shall they deliver you up to torments, and to death: and ye shall be hated by all nations upon my account. then shall many relapse, and shall pursue one another with mutual treachery and hatred. many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. and as iniquity becomes more flagrant, the zeal of many will grow cool. but he that shall persevere unto the end, shall be preserved. and this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, to testify to all nations, that the end will then come. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, mention'd by Daniel the prophet, stand about the holy place, (let him that readeth, consider it well) let those who are then in Judea, flee into the mountains, he that is on the battlements, let him not venture to go in to take any thing out of his house. if any man be in the field, let him not return back to take his coat. unhappy will they be that are with child, and they that give suck in those days. be sure to pray that your flight be not in the winter, nor on the sabbath-day: for the desolation will be so dreadful, the like was never seen since the beginning of the world, no, nor ever shall be again. for unless the time was to be short, very few could escape, but for the sake of the converts the time shall be short. Then if any shall cry, the Messiah is here, or he is there: give no credit to it. for there shall arise false Messiahs, and false prophets, and shall shew such astonishing miracles and prodigies, as to deceive, if that can do it, the very converts themselves. remember, I have forewarn'd you. wherefore, if they shall say to you, now he is in the desert, do not stir: or now, he is in the secret chambers, believe them not. for as the lightning darts from the east in an instant to the west: such shall the advent of the son of man be. for whereever the carcase is, there will the eagles be assembled. Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun shall be darkned, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. then shall that sign, the son of man in the clouds of heaven, appear: and all the tribes of the land shall mourn, and they shall see the son of man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. and he shall send his messengers, who with the shrill sound of a trumpet, shall gather together his select from the four winds, from one end of the heaven to the other. this may be illustrated by a comparison taken from a fig-tree: when the branches become tender, and push out their leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: in like manner, when ye shall see all these things happen, know that he is come to your very doors. I declare unto you, the present generation shall not cease, till all these things are pass'd. heaven and earth may fail, but my words shall never fail. As to the day and hour, that no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but the father only. as the days of Noe were, so shall also the advent of the son of man be. for as at the time that usher'd in the deluge, they were eating and drinking, marrying themselves and their children, till the day that Noe entred into the ark, having no thoughts of the flood till it came, and swept them all away; so shall also the advent of the son of man be. of two persons, who shall be then in the field, one shall be taken, and the other left. two women shall be grinding at the mill, the one shall be taken, and the other left. watch therefore, for ye know not at what hour your Lord shall come. but this you conceive, that if a man knew at what hour of the night the thief would come, he would set a watch, and not suffer his house to be broke open. therefore be ye also prepar'd: for the son of man may come at an hour you least expect. If then there be a servant, appointed by his master to take care of his family, who faithfully and prudently distributes their allowance according to the establishment: happy is the servant, who shall be found so employed, at his master's return. I tell you, he shall make him steward of all his estate. but if he be dishonest, and says to himself, my Lord delays coming, and shall pretend to assault his fellow-servants, and spend his time with sots: the master of that servant will come in a day when he least expects it, and at an hour he is not aware of; and shall turn him out of the family, and give him the reward due to such behaviour: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.


Let your loins be girt, and your lamps burning: imitate those servants who stand waiting for their master's return from the wedding, to let him in as soon as he comes to the door. happy those servants, whom the master at his arrival shall find thus watching: I assure you, he shall gird himself, and make them sit at table, and will come to serve them. read more.
happy are the servants he finds in such a state, whether it be at the second or at the third watch of the night, when he comes. if the master of a house knew at what hour the thief would come, no doubt he would be on his guard, and not suffer him to break into his house. be ye therefore likewise prepar'd; for the son of man will come, when you least expect him.

a nobleman, said he, was going to travel to a foreign country, in order to have his kingdom confirm'd to him at his return. and he called ten of his servants, to whom he deliver'd ten pounds: improve that, said he, till I return. but he being hated by the citizens, after he was gone, they sent a deputation to court, to make this protest, "we will not have him for our king." read more.
upon his return, being confirm'd king, he order'd the servants, he had trusted with the money, to appear, and inform him, what improvement each of them had made. the first came and said, Lord, your one pound has gained ten more. he answer'd, honest servant, that's well: since your industry has made so much of so little, I give you the government of ten cities. then the second came, and said, Lord, your pound has produc'd five more. his master replied, you shall be governor of five cities.

watch therefore, for ye know not at what hour your Lord shall come. but this you conceive, that if a man knew at what hour of the night the thief would come, he would set a watch, and not suffer his house to be broke open. therefore be ye also prepar'd: for the son of man may come at an hour you least expect. read more.
If then there be a servant, appointed by his master to take care of his family, who faithfully and prudently distributes their allowance according to the establishment: happy is the servant, who shall be found so employed, at his master's return. I tell you, he shall make him steward of all his estate.


a nobleman, said he, was going to travel to a foreign country, in order to have his kingdom confirm'd to him at his return. and he called ten of his servants, to whom he deliver'd ten pounds: improve that, said he, till I return. but he being hated by the citizens, after he was gone, they sent a deputation to court, to make this protest, "we will not have him for our king." read more.
upon his return, being confirm'd king, he order'd the servants, he had trusted with the money, to appear, and inform him, what improvement each of them had made. the first came and said, Lord, your one pound has gained ten more. he answer'd, honest servant, that's well: since your industry has made so much of so little, I give you the government of ten cities. then the second came, and said, Lord, your pound has produc'd five more. his master replied, you shall be governor of five cities. but another came and said, Lord, here's your money, which I laid up safe in a napkin. for I was in fear of you, knowing you to be a hard master, who exact what you never gave, and reap where you have never sown. wicked slave, said he, from your own mouth will I convict thee. "you knew I was a hard master, exacting what I never gave, and reaping where I never sowed: " why then did you not lodge my money in the bank, that on my return I might have drawn it out with interest? then he said to his attendants, take the one pound from him, and give it him, that gain'd ten. but they objected, Lord, he has already ten pounds: I tell you, said he, that to every one who improves, more shall be given: and he that makes no improvement, shall be stript of what he has. as for those enemies of mine, who would not have me for their king, bring them here, and slay them in my presence.

watch therefore, for ye know not at what hour your Lord shall come. but this you conceive, that if a man knew at what hour of the night the thief would come, he would set a watch, and not suffer his house to be broke open. therefore be ye also prepar'd: for the son of man may come at an hour you least expect. read more.
If then there be a servant, appointed by his master to take care of his family, who faithfully and prudently distributes their allowance according to the establishment: happy is the servant, who shall be found so employed, at his master's return. I tell you, he shall make him steward of all his estate. but if he be dishonest, and says to himself, my Lord delays coming, and shall pretend to assault his fellow-servants, and spend his time with sots: the master of that servant will come in a day when he least expects it, and at an hour he is not aware of; and shall turn him out of the family, and give him the reward due to such behaviour: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.