And if those days were not shortened, no one would be saved. but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.
In this saying Jesus reveals the deep mystery of God’s mercy: even in the most severe tribulation, God sets a limit to the trial for the sake of His chosen ones. If those days continued without restraint, humanity would not be able to endure, but God shortens the time of suffering, showing that His rule does not cease even at the moment of judgment. This word testifies that the course of the world is not accidental; it is governed by divine providence, and every trial has an appointed end. The “chosen ones” here symbolize not a few selected individuals, but all who remain faithful to the faith to the end. Truly, this saying shows that God’s mercy surpasses judgment: He allows tribulation to come, yet He Himself controls its limits, showing that even at the moment of judgment, mercy prevails.