22. So that if that Tribulation were to be as lafting, as it will be sharp and fevere, no one could poffibly escape: But for the fake of those Chriftians, who fhall at that time be scattered through Judea, God will fo order things, that the extremity of the Calamity shall be fhort, and the City fhall quickly be taken. 23. At that time, if any Man fhall report that Chrift appears in this or that place, to destroy his Enemies, and to deliver his Servants, believe it not. , 24. For there fhall arife Impoftors and Deceivers, who fhall each pretend to be the Meffiah and fhall wórk ftrange Wonders and Delufions; fo as to deceive, not only the unbelieving Jews, but, if it were poffible, even fincere Chriftians also. 25. Take heed now, and be not deceived: Behold, I have exprefly cautioned and forewarned you. 26. If therefore it shall be reported that Chrift appears vifibly in the Defert, and is preparing to come and deliver his Servants; regard it not. And if they fay he is fe cretly in any private place, ready to fhew himself and appear publickly give no credit to it at all. 27 & 28. For as Lightning fhineth through all places in an inftant, and as Eagles gather them 28 For wherefoever the carcafe is, there will the eagles felves with to incredible all parts be gathered toge where the prey is to be ther. 29 Immediate ly after the tribulation of those days, darkened, and the moon fhall not give her light, and the ftars fhall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens fhall be shaken. 30 And then shall fhall the fun be found; fo the Power of moment. 29. For immediately after these fatal Wars, and the Deftruction of Jeru Salem by the Romans; the whole Jewish Polity, Government, Laws, and Religion, fhall be utterly diffolved. 30 31. And then & appear the fign of it will become evident, the Son of man in that Jefus was the true heaven and then fhall all the tribes and only Meffias; and of the earth mourn, the Jews fhall lament and they fhall fee the Son of man coming and & 24. and mourn, and be forced to acknowledge the Power, and Glory, and Majefty of Chrift; who will then fend forth his Minifters among the Gentiles, and will gather into one Body thofe who Believe and Obey his Gospel, from among all the Nations of the Earth. (In like manner at the end of the World, after long Perfecutions and Afflictions of the Church, and after great Distur bances and Revolutions in all the Nations of the World, Chrift will at last appear in the Clouds of Heaven with Power and great Glory; and he will fend forth his Angels through the World, and gather together his Elect that is, all good Men who have Believed and Obeyed God, and reward them with Eternal Life.) ; in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. 31 And he fhall fend his angels with a great found of a trumpet, and they fhall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 32 Now 32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree: when his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that fummer is nigh. 33 So likewife ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34 Verily I fay unto you, This ge neration fhall not pafs, till all these things be fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth fhall pass away, but my words fhall not pass away. a 32 & 33. Now observe and hearken to this Similitude, which I am about to tell you. In the fame manner as when ye fee the Leaves and tender Buds of Fig-tree begin to fprout forth, ye know certainly that Summer, is coming on: Even fo, when ye fee these Signs, which I have foretold you, come to pass; ye may know certainly, that the deftruction of Jeru Salem, and of the Nation of the Jews, is just at Hand. you, 34. Affuredly I tell all the things that I have now declared to you concerning this great Defolation, fhall be fulfilled in this present Generation, in the Age of fome that are now alive. 35. And fooner shall Heaven and Earth be deftroy'd, than one Word of what I have foretold you, fall fhort of being fully accomplish'd 36..On |