Assuming that Jesus is talking of the coming destruction by the Romans, he is making it clear that the death and devastation which they will bring will be limited. God has compassion on his servants in the midst of these horrors.1 He will not allow his church to be completely destroyed, he will shorten the time of suffering so that there are survivors. This prediction holds true for the siege of Jerusalem; there were some who survived it. It also holds true for all calamities to come before the return of Jesus Christ in glory. Persecution of the church may be fierce but the church will not be completely destroyed (Matthew 16:18; Romans 11:4; 1 Peter 3:20).
22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.