Sermon Notes; a Daily Devotional

Mark 6:30&31 "30 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told Him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. 31 And He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat." We have invested our devotional time in reading the Gospel of Mark this summer. I commend you for studying God’s word, this world needs more Holy Bible studying Christians. The teachings and events recorded in pages of the Holy Bible has made the world a better place. This week, before we move on from the Gospel of Mark, we are going to review what my Pastor considers the most important point in the book. Other than the events in and arond crucifixion and resurrection, the one event appearing in all four Gospels is the feeding of the five thousand. All four accounts describe Jesus multiplying five loaves and two fish to feed a crowd of about 5,000 men (pl...

Mark 16:19&20 "19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen." After today's reading; we have read the Gospel of Mark twice this summer. It has been a whirlwind, it is written in a style that takes us from one event to another quickly! We can only imagine how the disciples felt in the few years they lived with and learned from out Lord and Savior.  Mark 15 details the Crucifixion of Jesus, beginning with His trial before Pontius Pilate. Despite finding no fault in Jesus, Pilate yields to the Sanhedrin and an incited crowd, releasing the rebel Barabbas and ordering Jesus to be flogged and crucified. Roman soldiers mock Jesus as the "King of the Jews" in the Praetorium, and Simon of Cyrene is forced to carry the cross to Golgotha (the place of the skull).  At the cru...

Mark 14:72 "And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny Me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept." Have you "wept" over your betrayal of Jesus? We all have done it. Usually it's not punctuated by a crowing rooster. At some point we all need to repent and accept forgiveness from our Lord and Savior.  Today’s chapter is emotionally intense narrative detailing the events leading directly to Jesus' crucifixion, focusing on themes of betrayal, sorrow, and divine obedience. It begins with the chief priests and scribes plotting to arrest Jesus secretly during the Passover festival to avoid an uprising, while Jesus is in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper. A woman anoints Jesus with expensive perfume, which Jesus defends as a preparation for His burial, contrasting her sacrificial love with the indignation of those who viewed it as waste.  The chapter progresse...

Mark 13:35-37 "35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." "Watch." Mark 13, often called the Markan Apocalypse or Olivet Discourse, features Jesus predicting the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and outlining signs of the end times. Sitting on the Mount of Olives, Jesus warns His disciples that not one stone will be left on another of the magnificent Temple, a prophecy fulfilled by the Romans in 70 AD.  The chapter details various tribulations that will precede the end, including false messiahs, wars, earthquakes, and famines, which Jesus describes as the "beginning of birth pains." Believers are warned of severe persecution, including betrayal by family members and hatred from all nations, but are promised that the Gospel must first be preached to all nati...

Mark 12:43-44 "43 And He called unto Him His disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living." God sees into our hearts. He knows the widow’s sacrificial giving and each of the encounters we read recorded in Holy Scriptures. And every heart in our world past and future. He is our creator and savior. Mark 11 centers on Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where He rides a colt into the city while crowds shout "Hosanna." He subsequently cleanses the temple by driving out money changers, an act that angers religious leaders. The chapter also features the cursing of a fig tree, which withers overnight, serving as a symbolic judgment on Israel's spiritual barrenness. Jesus uses this event to teach about the power of faith and forgiveness in prayer. Th...

Mark 10:51&52 "51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto Him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. 52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way." Mark Chapter 10 details Jesus’ final journey toward Jerusalem, focusing on teachings about discipleship, humility, and the cost of following Him. The chapter is structured around five key events that contrast worldly values with the requirements of the Kingdom of God.  Marriage and Divorce: Jesus refutes the Pharisees’ attempt to loosen divorce laws, stating that Moses permitted it only due to the hardness of hearts. He reaffirms God’s original design for marriage as a permanent union between one man and one woman, declaring that what God has joined together, no one should separate.  Blessing of Children: When the disciples rebuke those bringing children to Jesus, He is...

Mark 9:49-50 "49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. 50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another." Mark chapter 9 details pivotal events in Jesus' ministry that bridge His identity as the Messiah with the necessity of his impending suffering. The chapter opens with the Transfiguration, where Jesus reveals His divine glory to Peter, James, and John on a high mountain, accompanied by Moses and Elijah, while a voice from heaven declares Jesus as God's beloved Son. Following this revelation, Jesus commands the disciples to remain silent about the event until after His resurrection.  Upon descending the mountain, Jesus encounters a crisis of faith as His other disciples fail to heal a demon-possessed boy. Jesus rebukes the crowd for their unbelief and heals the child, teaching that such spiritual battles require prayer and f...

Mark 8:38 "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." Rereading the Gospel of Mark, chapter 8 we reach the pivotal turning point, shifting the narrative from public miracles to the revelation of Jesus’ identity and the cost of discipleship. The chapter is structured around five key events that redefine the nature of the Messiah’s mission.  The Feeding of the Four Thousand: Jesus demonstrates compassion by miraculously feeding a large crowd of Gentiles and Jews with only seven loaves and a few small fish, leaving seven baskets of leftovers. This miracle parallels the earlier feeding of the five thousand but highlights Jesus' provision for the Gentile world.  Confrontation with Religious Leaders: Upon arriving at Dalmanutha, the Pharisees demand a sign from heaven to test Jesus’ authority. Jesus refuses, sigh...

Mark 7:36&37 "36 And He charged them that they should tell no man: but the more He charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it; 37 And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: He maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak." Can you imagine experiencing a miraculous healing? These people's lives were radically changed! Everyone they knew would vicariously share in this experience! No wonder the fame and curiosity about Jesus was growing exponentially. Rereading chapter 7; the first part focuses on a confrontation between Jesus and religious leaders regarding ritual purity, followed by two miracles demonstrating His power and inclusivity.  Tradition vs. Commandment Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem criticize Jesus’ disciples for eating with unwashed hands, violating the tradition of the elders. Jesus condemns their hypocrisy, quoting Isaiah to show they prioritize human rules over God’s commandments, specificall...

Mark 6:56 "And whithersoever He entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought Him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched Him were made whole." Amazing events! This verse highlights the desperation and faith of the people, who laid the sick in marketplaces and begged to touch even the fringe of His garment. All who touched Him were healed, demonstrating that their faith was not in the cloth itself but in the divine power of Jesus, who is portrayed as the accessible source of physical and spiritual restoration. Continue our speed reading of the Gospel of Mark with chapters 5 & 6. Mark Chapter 5 focuses on Jesus’ sovereign power over evil, illness, and death through three interconnected miracles. In the region of the Gerasenes, Jesus casts a legion of demons out of a man and into a herd of pigs, which then drown; the healed man is told to proclaim Jesus' mercy, but the fearfu...

Mark 4:40&41 "40 And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" We read through the Gospel of Mark all summer, a few verses at a time. Now, we are rereading it whole chapters at a time. At this pace we feel the urgency that Mark wrote with.  Today reread chapters 3&4: Mark Chapter 3 details the escalating conflict between Jesus and religious authorities, beginning with Jesus healing a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, which prompts the Pharisees to plot with the Herodians to kill Him. As crowds from Galilee, Judea, and beyond flock to Him for healing, Jesus selects and appoints the Twelve Apostles to accompany Him. The chapter concludes with Jesus dismissing His biological family’s concerns about His sanity and defining His true family as those who do God’s will, while also refuting accusations that He ca...

Mark 2:27&28 "27 And He said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: 28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath." We did it! We read the Gospel of Mark this summer! It was a rewarding experience for me and hopefully you too. It seems like every time we study Holy Scripture something additional is revealed. It is truly amazing! But wait, we are not done! We are going to read the book of Mark again! This time a couple of chapters at a time. Today chapters 1 & 2. This will allow us to experience the speed of events in Mark more fully. The first 2 chapters are jam packed with events... Chapter 1 of the Gospel of Mark focuses on the ministry of John the Baptist and the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. It opens with John the Baptist preaching a baptism of repentance in the wilderness, preparing the way for the Messiah. Jesus is baptized by John, where the Holy Spirit descends like a dove and a voice from heaven declares Him the...

Mark 16:9-20 "9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven devils. 10 And she went and told them that had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And they, when they had heard that He was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. 12 After that He appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. 13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. 14 Afterward He appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen Him after He was risen. 15 And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with n...

Mark 16:1-8 "1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. 3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? 4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. 5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. 6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: He is risen; He is not here: behold the place where they laid Him. 7 But go your way, tell His disciples and Peter that He goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see Him, as He said unto you. 8 And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: n...

Mark 15:42-47 "42 And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. 44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. 45 And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 And he bought fine linen, and took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen, and laid Him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. 47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where He was laid." The written record of of Jesus’ burial provides definitive proof of His death and fulfills Old Testament prophecy. It takes place on the day of Preparation (Friday), just before the Sabbath begins at sundown, creating urgency for a proper bur...

Mark 15:33-41 "33 And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? 35 And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, He calleth Elias. 36 And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave Him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take Him down. 37 And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. 38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. 39 And when the centurion, which stood over against Him, saw that He so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God. 40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; 41 (Who also, when He was in Gal...

Mark 15:21-32 "21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear His cross. 22 And they bring Him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. 23 And they gave Him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but He received it not. 24 And when they had crucified Him, they parted His garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. 25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. 26 And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 27 And with Him they crucify two thieves; the one on His right hand, and the other on His left. 28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And He was numbered with the transgressors. 29 And they that passed by railed on Him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, 30 Save Thyself, and come down from the cross. 31 Likewise also the chief priests ...

Mark 15:16-20 "16 And the soldiers led Him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band. 17 And they clothed Him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about His head, 18 And began to salute Him, Hail, King of the Jews! 19 And they smote Him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon Him, and bowing their knees worshipped Him. 20 And when they had mocked Him, they took off the purple from Him, and put his own clothes on Him, and led him out to crucify Him." The written record of the Roman soldiers' mockery of Jesus before His crucifixion, a striking example of divine irony: their jesting actions unintentionally affirm Jesus’ true identity as King. The Mocking Ritual The soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole cohort. They dressed Him in purple (a royal color), pressed a crown of thorns onto His head, struck Him with a reed, spat on Him, and knelt in false homage, crying “Hail, King of the Jews!” Theolo...

Mark 15:1-15 "1 And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate. 2 And Pilate asked Him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And He answering said unto him, Thou sayest it. 3 And the chief priests accused Him of many things: but He answered nothing. 4 And Pilate asked Him again, saying, Answerest Thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against Thee. 5 But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled. 6 Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. 7 And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. 8 And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them. 9 But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? 10 For he knew that the chief pri...

Mark 14:66-72 "66 And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: 67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. 68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. 69 And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. 70 And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. 71 But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. 72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny Me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept." Today’s verses are the written record of Peter’s threefold denial of Jesus, fulfilling Jesus’ ea...

Mark 14:53-65 "53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with Him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. 54 And Peter followed Him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire. 55 And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put Him to death; and found none. 56 For many bare false witness against Him, but their witness agreed not together. 57 And there arose certain, and bare false witness against Him, saying, 58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. 59 But neither so did their witness agree together. 60 And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest Thou nothing? what is it which these witness against Thee? 61 But He held His peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, and said unto Him, Art thou the C...

Mark 14:43-52 43 And immediately, while He yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 And he that betrayed Him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is He; take Him, and lead Him away safely. 45 And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed Him. 46 And they laid their hands on Him, and took Him. 47 And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 48 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take Me? 49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took Me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled. 50 And they all forsook Him, and fled. 51 And there followed Him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: 52 And h...

Mark 14:32-42 "32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and He saith to His disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. 33 And He taketh with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; 34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. 35 And He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36 And He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto Thee; take away this cup from Me: nevertheless not what I will, but what Thou wilt. 37 And He cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? 38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. 39 And again He went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. 40 And when He returned, He found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what ...

Mark 14:27-31 "27 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. 28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. 29 But Peter said unto Him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. 30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny Me thrice. 31 But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all." "Likewise also said THEY ALL." Jesus predicts the desertion of His disciples and the denial of Peter, to their faces! This highlights the tension between human frailty and divine sovereignty. During the Last Supper, Jesus quotes Zechariah 13:7, prophesying that He would be struck as the shepherd and the sheep would scatter, indicating that fear would cause even His closest followers to aba...

Mark 14:22-26 22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is My body. 23 And He took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them: and they all drank of it. 24 And He said unto them, This is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. 25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. 26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives." Today’s verses are the written record of record of the institution of the Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion) by Jesus during the Passover meal, transforming traditional elements into symbols of His impending sacrifice and the New Covenant. As they ate, Jesus broke the bread, stating, "This is my body," signifying that His body would be broken for the spiritual nourishment and redemption of believers. He then gave them the cup, declaring, "This i...

Mark 14:12-21 "12 And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, His disciples said unto Him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that Thou mayest eat the passover? 13 And He sendeth forth two of His disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. 14 And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with My disciples? 15 And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us. 16 And His disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. 17 And in the evening He cometh with the twelve. 18 And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with Me shall betray Me. 19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto Him one by one, Is it I? and another said, I...

Mark 14:1-11 "1 After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by craft, and put Him to death. 2 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people. 3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on His head. 4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? 5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. 6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on Me. 7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but Me ye have not always. 8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint My body to the ...

Mark 13:32-37 "32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. 33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." Today’s verses close Jesus’ Olivet Discourse, shifting from the Temple’s destruction to His Second Coming. No one knows the day or hour; not angels, nor the Son in His incarnate state, only the Father. Jesus warns against date-setting and calls for constant vigilance, illustrated by a master who leaves servants in charge and orders the doorkeeper to watch. Believers mus...

Mark 13:24-31 "24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, 25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. 26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then shall He send His angels, and shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. 28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: 29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. 30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. 31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away." Today’s verses describe the cosmic signs that precede the Son of Man’s return and Jesus’ warning about their timin...

Mark 13:14-23 "14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: 15 And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house: 16 And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment. 17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 18 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter. 19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. 20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. 21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: 22 For false Christs an...