13:19Mark 13:19

The saying belongs to Jesus' private answer on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple to Peter and James and John and Andrew about when these things will happen and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be fulfilled.Ms 35, 1906, par. 15–23 In that answer it follows deception by many coming in Christ's name, wars and rumors of wars, nation rising against nation, earthquakes, famines and troubles, persecution, betrayal and hatred, the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be, urgent flight from Judea without turning back for possessions, and woe for pregnant and nursing women with prayer that flight not be in winter.Ms 35, 1906, par. 15–23 It precedes the shortening of those days for the sake of the elect, false christs and false prophets showing signs and wonders, darkening of the sun and moon, falling stars and shaken heavenly powers, the coming of the Son of man in the clouds with great power and glory to gather the elect from earth to heaven, the parable of the fig tree, the passing away of heaven and earth but not Christ's words, the unknown day and hour, and the command to watch and pray.Ms 35, 1906, par. 15–23 It foretells an affliction in those days unequaled from the beginning of the creation which God created until that time, and never to be equaled afterward.Ms 35, 1906, par. 15–23+1

Its discourse mingles the destruction of Jerusalem with the great day of Christ's coming, so the affliction it describes reaches beyond Jerusalem to the final conflagration when the Lord rises to punish the world for iniquity and the earth reveals its shed blood.DA 627.1–3 The two great crises were blended together in mercy because the disciples could not have endured seeing future events opened separately, leaving them to study out the meaning for themselves.DA 627.1–3 It was given not for the disciples only but for those who live in the last scenes of this earth's history.DA 627.1–3

It applies to judgments on cities full of sin, where earthquakes, fire, and floods will destroy them to show God's authority through unseen agencies bringing destruction, devastation, and death, so that even guarded buildings and accumulated riches will be brought to nothing.21MR 66.7–67.1