There is much conflict as to what will happen in the last days as is written in
Matthew 24 and Mark 13 & Luke 21. I have used Luke 21 at this time because of
its ease for understanding the order of events.
In order for this chapter to be better understood, I rearranged the verses in
Luke 21:5-36 into the sequential order of events according to what Jesus said
would happen.
I have not taken any of these verses out of context. I merely placed them in the
proper order of events according to what Jesus said would happen.
Please pay close attention to the order of the verses and their sequence of events.
In Luke 21:12 Jesus says, "But before all these, they shall lay their hands on
you,..."
In Luke 21:12 Jesus says, "Before all these, (speaking of the destruction of
Jerusalem and the Temple), then these will happen, (speaking of the laying on of
hands and persecuting the true followers of Jesus.
So before the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple the events recorded in Luke 21
verses 12 - 24 happen, the events recorded in verses 8 - 11 & 25 - 36 happen after
the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.
This is the order of events.
Verses 5 - 6 Jesus speaks of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Verse 7 The disciples question Jesus regarding the Temple and the
Destruction of Jerusalem.
Verses 12 - 19 The true followers of Jesus are persecuted.
Verses 20 - 24 Jerusalem and the Temple is destroyed.
Verses 8 - 11
& 25 - 27 These events follow the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.
verses 28 - 36 Here Jesus admonishes the disciples to be careful and watchful,
lest they get caught up in the snares of this world "system".
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Luke 21: 5-36
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Jesus speaks of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
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5. And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and
gifts, he said,
6. As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there
shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
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The disciples question Jesus regarding the Temple and the Destruction of
Jerusalem.
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7. And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what
sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?
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The true followers of Jesus shall be persecuted prior to the Destruction
of Jerusalem and the Temple.
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12. But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you,
delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings
and rulers for my name’s sake.
13. And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
14. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
15. For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not
be able to gainsay nor resist.
16. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and
friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
17. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.
18. But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
19. In your patience possess ye your souls.
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Jerusalem and the Temple are destroyed.
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20. And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the
desolation thereof is nigh.
21. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which
are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries
enter thereinto.
22. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be
fulfilled.
23. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those
days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
24. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive
into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the
times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
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These are the events that follow the destruction of Jerusalem and the
Temple.
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8. And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name,
saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
9. But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these
things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
10. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom:
11. And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences;
and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
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25. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and
upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
26. Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which
are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
27. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great
glory.
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Here Jesus admonishes the disciples to be careful and watchful, lest they
get caught up in the snares of this world "system".
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Here Jesus admonishes the disciples to be careful and watchful, lest they get caught
up in the snares of this world "system".
28. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your
heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
29. And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
30. When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is
now nigh at hand.
31. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom
of God is nigh at hand.
32. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
33. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
34. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with
surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you
unawares.
35. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole
earth.
36. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape
all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.