Shining Light Tells the Good Story 21

A SACRIFICIAL GIFT

1Creator Sets Free (Jesus) looked up and saw people with many possessions bringing their gifts to the giveaway at the sacred lodge. 2He then saw a poor widow walk up and place two poorly beaded earrings on the blanket, worth almost nothing.

3“I speak from my heart,” he said to his followers, “this widow’s gift is better than all the others. 4When they put their gifts on the blanket, they gave only a small part of their many possessions, but this poor widow has given all she had.”

SIGNS AND WARNINGS

5Some of his followers began to point out to him the beauty of the great lodge with its handsomely carved logs, its large stones, and ceremonial gifts.

A look of sadness came over the face of Creator Sets Free (Jesus).

6“Take a good long look,” he said, “for in the days ahead, all of this will fall to the ground. Not one log or stone will be left standing against another.”

They looked at him with worried faces.

7“Wisdomkeeper, when will this happen?” they asked. “What will be the sign?”

8“Make sure no one leads you down the wrong path,” he warned them, “for many will falsely represent me and say, ‘I am the Chosen One, follow me, there is no time left!’ Do not follow after them.

9“When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not fear, for these things will come first—but the end is not yet. 10Tribal wars will break out, and nations will war against nations. 11There will be great earthquakes, food will be scarce, sickness will spread everywhere, and bad signs will appear in the sky.

12“Before all of this happens, you will be betrayed by your own people. They will hunt you down, drag you into their gathering houses, and put you in jail. They will hand you over to the government and officials of the People of Iron (Romans). All of this they will do to you because of me and my name. 13But remember, this will be your chance to represent me and tell them the good story. 14Do not worry about what to say ahead of time to defend yourselves, 15for I will give you the mouth of a wisdomkeeper, and no enemy will be able to answer you or prove you wrong.

16“You will be betrayed by your own family members and friends. They will even have some of you killed. 17They will all hate you because you are representing me and my teachings.

18“But none of these things can truly harm you,#21:18 Lit. Not one hair on your head will perish 19so you must stand up strong and never give up trusting in me, for my life inside you will help you walk with firm steps.”

THE DAY OF SORROW AND DESTRUCTION

20“When you see Village of Peace (Jerusalem) surrounded and encamped about by the armies of the People of Iron (Romans), you will know that the time of her destruction has come.#21:20 Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14 21The people of the Land of Promise (Judea) should run to the mountains for safety, and the ones who are inside the walls of Village of Peace (Jerusalem) must get out, and the ones outside should not go in. 22For this is the time when Creator will let justice have its way, to bring about the bad end spoken of in the Sacred Teachings.

23“It will be hard for women who are pregnant or nursing their babies, for great sorrow and trouble will come like an angry storm upon the land and against this people. 24The great Village of Peace (Jerusalem) will be cut down by the long knives. The people will be taken captive and scattered into all the nations. The Sacred Village of Peace (Jerusalem) will then be trampled down by the Outside Nations until their time has come to an end.

25“There will also be signs in the sun, moon, and stars, and on the earth the nations will tremble with fear. Panic and confusion will grow strong when they hear the sea roar and see the waves swell. 26The people will shake with fear, and hearts will fall to the ground when they see what is happening to the world around them. Even the powers of the spirit-world above will tremble and shake.

27“Then they will look up and see the True Human Being coming with power, riding on the clouds, and showing his shining-greatness!#21:27 Daniel 7:13

28“When you see all these things begin to happen, stand strong, my followers. Lift up your heads! For the time of your captivity will soon come to an end!”

STORY ABOUT THE FIG TREE

29Then he told them a wisdom-story: “Look at this fig tree or any tree, and see what it is saying to you. 30When the branches of a tree grow soft and buds appear, you know that it is nearly summer. 31In the same way when you see these things happening, you will know that Creator’s good road is about to come into full bloom.

32“I speak from my heart! All of this will happen to this generation, during the lifetime of the people who live today. 33What I have told you is sure, for my words will last longer than the sky above and the earth below.

34“So keep your eyes straight. Do not let your hearts fall to the ground. Do not give yourselves to drinking or worrying about your life’s possessions, or that day will take you by surprise. 35For it will come without warning, to all who live on the land, like a beaver that is snared in a trap. 36So stay on guard, praying that you will find a safe path through this time and stand strong before the True Human Being.”

37During the day Creator Sets Free (Jesus) would teach and tell his stories at the sacred lodge. Then at night he would go to where he was lodging on Olive Mountain. 38Then, in the morning, all the people would gather again at the lodge to listen to him.

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Shining Light Tells the Good Story 21: FNVNT

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