The Purpose of Prophecy

<p>‘And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!<br> ‘And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.<br> ‘And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,<br> ‘Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?<br> ‘And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:<br> ‘For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.<br> ‘And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.<br> ‘For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: &nbsp;and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: &nbsp;these are the beginnings of sorrows.<br> ‘But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.<br> ‘And the gospel must first be published among all nations.<br> ‘But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: &nbsp;but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.<br> ‘Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.<br> ‘And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.’<br> <em>—Mark 1:1–13</em></p>