Because iniquity will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end will be saved. This Good News of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world for a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:12-14 WEB
Chapter twenty-four of Matthew’s gospel account begins with Jesus’ prophecy of the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. The Roman Empire destroyed the temple four decades later during the Roman siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD fulfilling this prophecy. After giving the prophecy of the destruction of the temple, Christ teaches the signs of the end time and his returning.
With every passing day, and through every successive generation, the return of Jesus moves closer. In the times of the early church, there were troubles and persecutions but these were only the beginning trouble. As we read in Matthew 24:7-8, “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be famines, plagues, and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are the beginning of birth pains. WEB”
Endure in Christ
Still to come, Jesus describes the persecution his followers eventually suffer. The Lord says in Matthew:24:9-11, “Then they will deliver you up to oppression and will kill you. All of the nations will hate you for my name’s sake. Then many will stumble, and will deliver up one another, and will hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will lead many astray. WEB” Serving God is not always easy. It requires faithful endurance. Jesus prepared his disciples for this before his own crucifixion.
Describing an end times lack of love due to extreme unfairness and immorality, Christ teaches remaining in love in spite of difficulties. Saved by grace, we must faithfully endure in Christ to find salvation. This leads to Christ’s revelation that the end comes after all the nations hear the Good News of the Kingdom. Whether the end is today or the end times are never to come in our lifetimes, as Christians, we endure in Christ. The Good News is, our redeemer lives and we live forever with him.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for teaching the importance of relying on you. Thank you for the loving message of the gospel. I know that you are in control. Let me rest in you and work according to your will. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: A New Life
