Today, the "Eschatological Discourse" alludes to the "time of the Gentiles" and to the persecutions. The "time of the Nations" —the time of the Church— is proclaimed in all the Gospels. The announcement of this time —and the task that derives from it— is a central point: the end of the world can come only when the Gospel has been brought to all peoples.

When referring to future persecutions here, too, the time of the Gentiles is presupposed, for the Lord says that His disciples will be brought not only before courts and synagogues but also before Governors and Kings. In other words, the proclamation of the Gospel will always be marked by the sign of the Cross: this is what the disciples of Jesus are to be learning over and over again in each generation.

—The cross is and remains the sign of the "Son of Man": truth and love have no other weapon in their battle against lies and violence than the witness of suffering.