24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shali he 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.
20 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 an-
28 Kow 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
gels, and shall gather together his things be done,
elect from the four winds, from the 31 Heaven and earth shall pass
uttermost part of the earth to the ut- away : but my words shall not pass
termost part of heaven. away.
* The meaning of the " abomination of desolation," in this passage, has always perplexed the commentator. The most common view undoubtedly is, that it signifies the Eoman armies, who executed God's judgment on the Jewish nation.
It may be questioned whether this interpretation completely ful- fils the prophecy. I venture, though with much diffidence, to sug- gest that a more complete and literal accomplishment yet remains to come. The remarkable words of St. Paul to the Thessalonians, ap- pear to me scarcely to have received yet a complete fulfilment : u He, as Go 1, sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." (2 Thess. ii. 4.) I own that it seems to me by no means improbable