“Then they will hand you over to be persecuted and will kill you. You will be hated by all the nations because of my name. Then many will be led into sin, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will appear and deceive many, and because lawlessness will increase so much, the love of many will grow cold. But the person who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole inhabited earth as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” —Matthew 24:9–14
Jesus’ words of warning to us in these verses are similar to the promise He gives us in the Gospel of John. He tells us not to be taken by surprise at the troubles and events of this dark and broken world—they are certain:
“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage—I have conquered the world.” —John 16:33
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage.” —John 14:27
Many times in the New Testament we are told that tribulation, hardship, affliction, distress, and other difficulties are simply an everyday part of Christian living. Furthermore, a great deal of the tribulation experienced will be a direct result of our standing confidently for the Word of God and firmly in the will of God. Yet, in Christ, perfect peace is just as certain!
Jesus here warns of a coming general apostasy and obvious decay of religion as well as a foretelling of promised persecution. He is reminding His disciples once again of persecution so they are not surprised by oncoming suffering and conflict. This is a warning for us as well. We find a lot out about our faith when faced with trials and persecution.
Jesus said in the Gospel of Luke:
“You will be hated by everyone because of my name. Yet not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.” —Luke 21:17–19
Tribulations should never catch us off guard. During these difficult times, our Lord warns us of two things—the abounding of wickedness and the abating of love. Yet, graciously, God always preserves a remnant for Himself who hold fast to their integrity and zeal even in the worst of times. There will most assuredly be those who stand firm to the end.
We are reminded in our verses for today that the gospel will be preached to all nations before the end will come. It is a gospel that will reveal the kingdom of grace which leads to the kingdom of glory.
Become More
“Anxiety, sickness, suffering, or danger … these are nothing when compared with the glory that will be revealed in, and for us.” —David Livingstone
Further Reflections
“… If your faith does not remain firm, then you will not remain secure.” —Isaiah 7:9
“Calvary is God’s great proof that suffering in the will of God always leads to glory.” —Warren Wiersbe
“Do not pray for easy lives; pray to be stronger people! Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for powers equal to your tasks.” —Phillips Brooks
“A fixed, constant attention to the promises, and a firm belief in them, would prevent solicitude and anxiety about the concerns of this life. It would keep the mind quiet and composed in every change, and support and keep up our sinking spirits under the several troubles of life … Christians deprive themselves of their most solid comforts by their unbelief and forgetfulness of God’s promises. For there is no extremity so great but there are promises suitable to it, and abundantly sufficient for our relief in it.” —Samuel Clarke