Prophecy, Preparedness, and the Future
Matthew 24:4-14 (NKJV):
4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for [a] all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, [b] pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
Man’s idea about the future has always been bright and optimistic. Many politicians and false preachers have consistently deceived people, promising an “ache din” (good days), “amrit kaal” (golden age), or a universal utopia. But the world has never truly realized this dream.
In Matthew 24, the true, great Prophet tells us what is genuinely coming in the future. He spoke these words 2,000 years ago, and every generation since is a witness to their profound truth. This very chapter proves that God alone could have spoken these things.
For the disciples who initially asked these questions, it was not merely an intellectual curiosity; it was a deeply personal, emotional, and interesting subject. Imagine if I were to tell you that the whole of Bengaluru would soon face a war and multiple severe earthquakes—so severe that not only would all tall buildings fall, but not one brick would remain upon another in any house; all would become desolate. None of you would hear that news carelessly, but with great personal emotional concern. Here, the Lord doesn’t speak just about Bengaluru, but about the entire world. How much more, then, ought we to listen to the Lord’s forecast of the future—not with curiosity, but with focused attention.
This chapter, which Christ spoke just before His death, was intended to prepare His original disciples and all subsequent ones for the future. It contains very practical lessons. Sadly, it has become a chapter of so much debate and so many arguments among Christians. We need the special help of the Holy Spirit to understand it in a way that truly leads to our edification, the strengthening of our faith, and life change.
The Context of Prophecy
We need to remember the context: it follows Christ’s three years of ministry and His final rejection. He leaves the Temple, pronouncing judgment on that guilty generation: “Your house will be desolate.” When Christ leaves, that house is indeed left desolate; it becomes the New Testament’s Ichabod—”The glory is departed,” and their defense is gone. Three days after this, the veil of the temple was torn, signifying it would no longer be a sacred place.
When Christ left the temple, His disciples followed Him. This marks a true disciple of Christ: one who will be where Christ is and where His words of eternal life are preached. Christ is not truly present where His word is not faithfully preached. Some people call themselves Christ’s disciples, but they are like religious Pharisees who cling with a death grip to the building—the building is everything to them: “grandfather, father, I, my son.” Even when Christ is not there and His word is not preached, Christ leaves, but they will not leave that building, and they become desolate with it.
The disciples leave, but we still see their weakness and attachment to that great, fine building. They point out the magnificence of the building and the massive stones used to construct the temple, speaking with exclamation and wonder, perhaps hoping the Lord will reverse the sentence. Our Lord, in response to their exclamation, makes a shocking prophecy.
Christ, instead of reversing the decree, ratifies it: “Assuredly, I say to you, there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” He speaks of it as a certain ruin. “I say unto you. I, who know what I say and know how to make good what I say, take my word for it, it shall be so. I, the Amen, the true Witness, say it to you.” All judgment being committed to the Son, He speaks of it as an utter ruin. The temple shall not only be stripped, plundered, and defaced, but utterly demolished and laid waste, with not one stone left upon another.
As they move further, the Lord climbs the Mount of Olives and sits there as the sun is setting, the beauty of the temple shining opposite them. Facing this beautiful scene, the disciples follow Him in deep thought. Not disputing the truth or the equity of this sentence, nor doubting its accomplishment, four disciples come to Him, asking about the time when it should come to pass and the signs of its approach.
We should explain this chapter within the context of these two specific questions.
- “Tell us, when will these things be?” (What things? The prophecy that “one stone upon another” will be destroyed—the destruction of Jerusalem.)
- “And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
The Dual Prophecy
How can anyone say this chapter does not talk about the destruction of Jerusalem? This is a problem with dispensationalists, who, to fit their scheme of charts, completely take this chapter out of context. The Lord is sitting on the Mount of Olives, directly facing the temple. From there, He would have had a full prospect of it at some distance. He sat there like a judge on the bench, with the temple and city before Him as if they were at the bar, and thus He passed sentence on them.
In the disciples’ minds, and therefore in their question, the end of Jerusalem and the end of the world were the same. They thought the destruction of the temple must necessarily be the end of the world. The rabbis used to say that the house of the sanctuary was one of the seven things for the sake of which the world was made, so they thought the world would not survive the temple. The Lord corrects that in His response.
Though it seems like He speaks of diverse events, it is prophetic language talking about two important future events in the history of redemption.
- The destruction of Jerusalem and the utter ruin of the Old Covenant Jewish church and nation.
- Looking further, to Christ’s coming at the end of time and the consummation of all things. The destruction of Jerusalem is a type, a foretaste, and a figure of this greater end.
Why would the Holy Spirit write to us about the destruction of Jerusalem, which is already over? This prophecy has a standing, lasting use for the church and will be so until the end of time, for “the thing that hath been, is that which shall be” (Ecclesiastes 1:5–9). The series, connection, and presages of events keep happening even now. Therefore, upon the prophecy of this chapter, with the Holy Spirit’s help and wisdom, by looking at the destruction of that nation, we can have spiritual lessons—lessons that require “an unprecedented deep amount of soul-searching, determination, foresight… with settled calm knowing these things happened and will happen and prognostication.” Such understanding allows the wise spiritual person’s heart to know how to improve in various changing social, political, and world situations.
These events happen around the destruction of Jerusalem, but the prophecy also goes beyond it, describing conditions that will happen between the First Coming and the Second Coming of Christ. The First Coming was in His humiliation to suffer, die, and rise; the Second Coming will be in all glory. That period is often called the inter-advent period (the time between the advents). Whether you realize it or not, you and I are living in that time, and this passage is written for us, to help us handle whatever comes into our lives during this era.
The Lord’s aim was not to give a detailed, prewritten history to satisfy our curiosity for knowledge. Instead, He had a very practical guidance for them and for us. His burning concern was to prepare His people practically for the coming days, not merely to fill their heads with details. So He gives warnings, prophecies, and encouragements for the people of God living between the First and Second Comings.
In the first section (verses 4–14), He talks about five signs. Then, He doesn’t just leave it there but gives us a practical command about what we should do, in terms of warning and encouragement. If you ask what will mark the time between the First and Second Coming, here is the answer.
Five Signs of the Inter-Advent Period
1. Spiritual Deception (vv. 4–5) ⚠️
4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.”
The very first sign is spiritual deception. “Many will come in My name,” claiming they represent Christ or even having the arrogance to claim they are apostles, or even to say that they are Christ themselves. The deceivers would pretend to have divine revelation, an immediate calling from God, and a spirit of prophecy, when it was all a lie.
The very first sign He highlights is that this inter-advent period will proliferate with false teachers and false Christs, creating an atmosphere of religious deception. How true this is! For the last 2,000 years, every generation has had them. In the last 100 years, famous figures like Rev. Sun Myung Moon, David Koresh, and Jim Jones called themselves the Messiah. Messiah-figures have sprung up in every generation to offer new revelations or new religious twists—all moving people away from the sufficiency found only in Jesus Christ and the Gospel. How many rise up in His name today, telling stories: “God revealed to me when I was committing suicide, or in jail, or about to die from a disease”? Some of their claims are so foolish.
But you know what is tragic? The prophecy says, “and will deceive many.” Mark says they shall lead many astray. Many will be duped. That is the tragedy of the warning. Our Lord saw with accurate prophetic insight the horrible gullibility (the tendency to be easily persuaded that something is real or true) of people in things pertaining to religion. Humanity’s capacity for religious gullibility seems almost infinite. Messages and claims that would cause people to look foolish and lunatic in worldly matters, in Christianity, elevate the speakers to prophets, prophetesses, apostles, and even Christ in great spiritual things.
As we approach the end of the age, spiritual deception will increase because spiritual gullibility will increase. Having turned away from the truth, people will follow anyone who speaks with authority and promises to help solve their problems and give meaning to daily life. Note carefully what 1 Timothy 4:1 says: “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” Those “deceiving spirits” are in the world today, and their evident success rate seems to be very high.
He amplifies this point with reference to the destruction of Jerusalem. Even before that destruction, many would claim to be Christ.
23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand.”
This was true even before Jerusalem was destroyed. Israel, rejecting its true Messiah, would believe many false Messiahs after this. Josephus speaks of several such impostors between this time and the destruction of Jerusalem: one Theudas, who was defeated by Cospius Fadus; another by Felix; and Dositheus, who said he was the Christ foretold by Moses. Origen Adversus Celsum also mentions this. See Acts 5:36–37. Simon Magus pretended to be “the great power of God” (Acts 8:10).
“They shall show great signs and wonders” (Matthew 24:24). These are not true miracles, as those are a divine seal which confirm the doctrine of Christ. But these were lying wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9), wrought by Satan. It is not said, They shall work miracles, but, They shall show great signs; they are merely a show. They either impose upon men’s credulity by false narratives or deceive their senses by tricks of legerdemain (sleight of hand) or the arts of divination, just like the magicians of Egypt with their enchantments.
The success they should have in these attempts is significant.
- They shall deceive many. Their deceptive influence will be so pervasive and persuasive. One might think even the elect of God are going to be drawn aside by the magnetism of their religious influence and by their miraculous powers.
- The strength of the delusion is such that many will be carried away (so strong shall the stream be), even those who were thought to stand fast. People’s knowledge, gifts, learning, eminent station, and long experience will not secure them; notwithstanding these, many will be deceived.
- It’s so strong, If possible… Implied in that verse is that it is not possible, for they are “kept by the power of God,” so that “the purpose of God, according to the election, may stand.” They were given to Christ, and of all that were given to Him, He will lose none (John 10:28).
Application: If this is going to be the atmosphere of the inter-advent time, what are we supposed to do? What is the application? Notice the strong warning:
4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you.”
Jesus uses the word in Mark, “lead you astray”—lead you astray from what? Astray from your attachment to the only true Christ; from your attachment to the one and true narrow way which leads to life. “Take heed,” or “see to it”—be constantly on the lookout—that no one leads you astray. New deceptions will come; it will be a big temptation for you. You need to constantly take heed that you’ll be living in an atmosphere of deception between the First and Second Comings—so much deception that even, if possible, the elect could be deceived. If you don’t take heed seriously, you are already living in that deception. Be constantly watchful that no one leads you astray, because many will be deceived.
What is the practical lesson the Lord wants us to learn so we are not deceived? You and I must be passionately concerned to know and be deeply rooted in biblical theology and the deep truths of Scripture. Know the foundational truths of the Bible and stand fast in that; otherwise, you will be easily deceived. You need to put time and effort into knowing the identity of God’s only Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. We must be especially well-grounded and deeply understand the foundational truths of the authority of God’s Word: who God is, His providence, the fall of man, and the identity of Christ as the only Mediator, the glory of His salvation, what salvation does to you, and how you are saved (by effectual calling, justifying, adopting, sanctifying, saving faith, and repentance)—all the truths taught in the Confession of Faith.
In other words, if you do not have a passionate concern for a doctrinally intelligent faith in Christ, you will be led astray easily. Some are so ignorant they don’t even know the basics of faith, yet they are careless about putting in the time and effort to learn and grow in the truth. The Lord is speaking to you: Take heed. Be on your guard that no one leads you astray. You will be led astray unless you commit yourself to being thoroughly rooted and grounded in truth. That is why it’s so important to study the foundations. You shouldn’t stop with that, but you should do your own study afterward. Others who are already members: how strongly are you growing in the truth—reading and developing? Take heed; if you are not constantly growing in truth, you may be on the path of deception. You will be led astray. Your difficulties and temptations in life will lead you astray if you don’t read, hear messages, and upgrade yourself with the sermons. That is why we encourage you to re-listen to sermons, read books, and read your Bibles—we live in deceptive times.
These false figures will be present not only prior to the destruction of Jerusalem but throughout the entire inter-advent period. They will come with greater concentration as the history of the church unfolds, but you and I must be on our guard. He says this deception will mark the inter-advent period.
2. International Conflict (vv. 6–7a) ⚔️
6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for [a] all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
“You will be hearing,” meaning that we live in an age of unending commotion and upheaval. This is so true. For 2,000 years, every generation has seen wars. Just in the last 200 years, the most terrible wars were World War I and World War II. And we don’t always realize that the last 50 years have been filled with wars in Rwanda, Cambodia, Chechnya, Serbia, Kosovo, Lebanon, Iraq, Kashmir, Northern Ireland, Somalia, Kuwait, Israel, Gaza, the West Bank, and dozens of lesser-known bloody conflicts around the world. Now we can add Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Korea, Vietnam… and right in front of our eyes, this prophecy is fulfilled in Russia. One man sitting with a nuclear button, whose mind could be spoiled enough to press it, threatens to destroy most of the world.
“Nation will rise against Nation.” Russia, China, Iran, North Korea versus the Western and European countries. The history of humanity is the history of wars. Even the quiet in the land and the least inquisitive cannot help but hear the rumors of war. “Nation shall rise up against nation”—there will be civil wars within countries: one community against another, one province against another, one party or faction against another. We feel so helpless when these things are happening; the big Prime Ministers and Presidents in their rooms make decisions that will affect the whole nation, causing masses to die. It is so frightening.
3. Natural Disasters (v. 7b) 🌍
7b And there will be famines, [b] pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.
When people, in their pride and arrogance, plan war and destruction, there is a limit and some control. But who can control natural disasters? Famines. The clouds that carry a certain amount of rainfall to a certain region fail. The land that was full of lush green crop suddenly becomes barren, with cracks. Countries suffer from basic food needs; the rates go up for basic necessities, even for water, and many die in famines from lack of food and water.
Natural disasters over which we have no power are so frightening. Who can control earthquakes that cause such destruction of cities and places, where thousands die? Earthquakes in the ocean send big Tsunamis over all the nations on the borders, dragging millions into the ocean helplessly. Then, should I explain pestilence? We have seen with our own eyes this prophecy fulfilled just a few months ago—an outbreak of disease from one place, spreading to all nations, locking up and putting the entire globe to a halt. This was such an event as never seen in our lifetime: how thousands died and bodies were floating in rivers, being burned and buried in heaps.
Famines, earthquakes, and outbreaks of disease. These were the three judgments which David had to choose one out of, and he was in a great strait, for he knew not which was the worst. But what dreadful desolations will they make when they all pour in together upon a people! Our Lord says these will mark the entire inter-advent time: there will be famines, wars, more wars, international tensions and conflicts, natural disasters, and pestilences.
The Command: Do Not Be Troubled
Now, what should we do when these things happen? What is His command, His guidance? See verse 6:
6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled…
Wow, when these things happen, I should not be troubled. How can anyone not be troubled? A small thunder is enough to trouble me, but He says when these things happen, do not be troubled! This is a very strong word, found only here and in Mark, meaning to be inwardly disturbed or frightened—like a little child in a thunderstorm, trembling, confused, inwardly agitated, frightened, feeling very insecure, throwing their hands up in the air in despair, wondering what else will happen.
Lord, how can we not be troubled? Wars, nation rising against nation, war aircrafts flying over my home, fear of a bomb wiping out our whole city, Putin pressing one button and it’s all gone, famine, earthquakes, and pestilence. War brings brutal bloodshed and millions of deaths; famine brings a disruption of supply so you don’t know what to eat or drink; earthquakes destroy beautiful, hard-built houses; and pestilence means everyone is dying. How can I not be troubled? Are we to be stoic when these are happening? On what basis are we not to be frightened?
He is saying, “If you are My people and My disciple, you should guard yourself so much from false teaching and these political influences and the love of this world, and know the reality of the future, and live for My Kingdom, then you can obey this.” He gives two reasons why we should not be troubled.
Reason 1: God’s Decree (v. 6) 📜
6 See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
“It must be.” In the plan and purpose of God, there is a fixed purpose, a fixed decree. There is a divine must. These things must happen. Ruin must be brought upon this sinful, God-rejecting world. By this, the justice of God and the honor of the Redeemer must be asserted; and therefore, all those things must come to pass; the word is gone out of God’s mouth, and it shall be accomplished in its season.
Note: The consideration of the unchangeableness of the divine counsels, which govern all events, should compose and quiet our spirits, whatever happens. God is simply performing the thing that is appointed for us, and our inordinate trouble is an interpretive quarrel with that appointment. Let us therefore acquiesce, because these things must come to pass—not only necessitate decreti (as the product of the divine counsel), but necessitate medii (as a means in order to a further end). The old house must be taken down (though it cannot be done without noise, dust, and danger) before the new fabric can be erected. “The things that are shaken (and ill shaken they were) must be removed, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain” (Hebrews 12:27).
This is so that no one will ever mistake this present age for the age to come. This age will continue, and these events should tell you that all this is heading toward the destruction and demolition of this house, and a new heaven and new earth are coming, and you should be ready for that.
Is it possible to hear such sad news and not be troubled? Yes. Where the heart is fixed, trusting in God, it is kept in peace and is not afraid, not even of the evil tidings of wars. Our Lord says that behind these, there is a divine must be. These must needs come to pass, but the end is not yet. In the language of Romans 8:22–25, “the whole creation groans and travails until now.” This present order will continue to be in a state of travail, waiting for manifestation at the return of Jesus Christ. The period between the two Comings will be marked with these troubles.
Reason 2: Only the Beginning (v. 8) 🌅
The second thing the Lord says so we are encouraged and not troubled is that these events don’t signify the end, but the beginning:
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
These are the beginnings of birth pangs; more is coming for this world. More bowls of wrath will be poured out. This is just the beginning. Therefore, be not troubled, do not give way to fear and anxiety; do not sink under the present burden, but rather gather all the strength and spirit you have to encounter what is yet before you. Don’t be troubled to hear of wars and rumors of wars, for then what will become of you when the famines and pestilences come? These things do not signify the end, but they are the beginning of the end. They will continue until the end, until the Lord returns.
Application
We should be so grounded in truth and Christ, and abide in Him and trust in His decrees, that these things should not cause us trouble. Christ does not want our blood pressure to increase and our heart beat to race every time there’s a rumbling outbreak of war or famine. A believer is not to be nervous and lose sleep when he hears about international tensions, or about war breaking forth, or about more wars, earthquakes, famine, or plague. He is not to be disturbed. Why? Because to be disturbed is to be disobedient to his Lord, who lovingly told him these things will happen. Inward agitation and fear due to international tensions or natural calamities are a sin, because these things are part of God’s decree and purpose.
The Christian, knowing there is a divine must behind all this, does not meet these things with stoic indifference. He is not heartless in the face of famine or the horrible tragedies that war brings—the melting of hearts and the torn families. We do not look upon these things with indifference.
When Jesus, with prophetic vision, saw the destruction of Jerusalem, He wept, crying out, “O Jerusalem, O Jerusalem!” We, too, weep and feel pity and compassion. But our Lord’s command is, “See that you are not inwardly unstrung.” Do not be as one who has lost their bearing. Do not be put into confusion or commotion, or thrown into throes, like a woman with child by a fright. Note that there is a need for constant care and watchfulness to keep trouble from the heart when there are wars abroad. It is against the mind of Christ that His people should have troubled hearts, even in troublous times.
This passage should prevent anyone from pursuing a dream of a utopia ushered in by the combined action of world governments. It’s astonishing how naive people are, actually thinking that diplomacy and peace talks will solve all problems, ushering in “good days” or a “golden age.” I hope we are not caught up in all these promises from politicians.
Our Lord says there shall be wars, and “nation will rise up against nation.” No amount of development, education, or scientific research concerning when earthquakes may come, or how we can stop a tsunami, will prevent them from coming. There shall be famines and wars.
As people of God, armed with this insight, we should not be drawn into every cause that demands our time, energy, and money to promote a utopian world—a state in which everything is perfect or idealistic. We should avoid models of social development that promise to turn this world into heaven—to solve world hunger, stop famine, solve war problems, bring peace to nations, or eliminate pestilence. That is not the biblical view.
The Lord has said that these things must be, and He encourages us not to be troubled. Embedded in that encouragement is the certainty of their presence.
Four and Five: Persecution and Apostasy
4. Fierce Persecution (v. 9) ⛓️
9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.”
This is a verse no one likes to read or memorize. I’ve never known anyone who chose it as a “life verse.” It’s too negative to be very popular, yet there it is, clear and easy to understand, right from the lips of our Lord. Jesus told His disciples to expect the worst. A time will come when the followers of Christ will be hated by all nations because of their relationship with Him.
Mark expands this, saying they will receive all unjust and abusive treatment at the hands of religious as well as civil authorities:
Mark 13:9: “But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them.”
They will deliver you to councils and synagogues—Jewish religious places—where you will be flogged by religious authorities. But not only religious, you will also stand before civil authorities—rulers and kings—for My sake. These are Roman authorities.
Jesus also focuses on the unnatural hatred of family members (v. 12). Think of it: our children may fight with each other, but here, a brother will not only plan but actually deliver his brother to death—even a father his child. And children will rise up against parents, causing them to be put to death.
Matthew 24:12 (Mark 13:12): “Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.”
Unjust and abusive treatment will come not only from religious and civil authorities but also from the unnatural hatred and betrayal by family members. Jesus predicts universal hatred for us: “And you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.”
He says this is what will happen during the inter-advent time. We see that happening, and in many places, persecution and hatred of Christians are on the rise. That trend will continue and will come to a fearful climax in the final days preceding the return of our Lord.
More and more countries continue to tighten the rope on open displays of Christianity. We see that happening in our own country—attacks on churches, anti-conversion laws passed, licenses canceled, and plans to take away voting rights. Our Lord told us ahead of time not to be surprised by this. Christians, for 2,000 years, have been handed over to tribulation, trials, or pressure situations. Some are killed; all will be hated. The antipathy of the world toward the Gospel and toward Jesus Christ as the only Savior and Lord has not abated.
5. Widespread Apostasy (vv. 10–12) 💔
10 “And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.”
He says many will turn against the truth. When sticking to the truth begins to cost people dearly, then many will be offended. They will first fall out, and then they will begin to pick quarrels with their religion, eventually revolting from it, hating one another, and becoming false prophets.
When times are good, everyone may want to follow Christ, but when persecution comes, true believers will be revealed. Suffering and persecution will show who the true preachers and believers are. He says many will turn away from the faith because of the suffering. Paul often complains of deserters who began well but were hindered. They “were with us, but went out from us, because they were not truly of us” (1 John 2:19). They shall betray one another; that is, those who have treacherously deserted their religion shall hate and betray those who adhere to it, even those for whom they pretended friendship. Apostates have commonly been the most bitter and violent persecutors.
Even some who professed to be Christian will turn against believers, betraying them to authorities out of hatred. Apostasy will mark the waves of church history.
These verses paint a picture of unprecedented religious apostasy in the last days. They especially apply to so-called Christian leaders who depart from the Christian faith. These are the leaders who (in the name of ecumenism) deny the inerrancy of the Bible, deny the necessity of the blood atonement, deny the virgin birth, deny the lostness of all people, deny the reality of eternal hell, and deny that those who die without Jesus Christ are lost forever. They turn away after fads and popular social causes and pander to the powers that be. They support the killing of unborn babies, support certain controversial social issues, and support the right of those who practice evil trades. They do not preach the Gospel because they do not even believe the Gospel. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing.
2 Timothy 3:1–9 tells us that in the last days “terrible times” will come as people become lovers of pleasure instead of lovers of God. They will turn away from the truth because their minds are depraved. False teachers who cleverly counterfeit the truth will lead many others astray. Truly, those “terrible days” are upon us. So-called ministers of the Gospel deny every tenet of the Christian faith and still remain in the pulpit. They can even justify gross immorality because they have rejected God’s Word. The worst is yet to come.
In these terrible, seducing times of apostasy, when many will turn away from the faith and betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people, we can expect two things:
- The abounding of iniquity. Though the world always lies in wickedness, there are some times when it may be said that iniquity does, in a special manner, abound. This happens when it is more extensive than ordinary, as in the old world when “all flesh had corrupted their way,” and when it is more excessive than ordinary, so that hell seems to be broken loose in blasphemies against God and enmity toward the saints. The presence of God’s people living in faithfulness to Him offers restraint upon society—salt and light affecting the community. But when people fail to pay attention to their doctrine and begin to follow the teaching of false prophets, then sin and unconcern for the law of God increase, love for God and man declines, and true believers face greater persecution.
- The abating of love. This is the consequence of the former: “Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Understand it in general of true serious godliness, which is all summed up in love. It is too common for professors of religion to grow cool in their profession when the wicked are hot in their wickedness, just as the church of Ephesus in bad times “left her first love” (Revelation 2:2–4). Or, it may be understood more particularly of brotherly love. When iniquity abounds—seducing iniquity, persecuting iniquity—this grace commonly waxes cold. Christians begin to be shy and suspicious of one another, affections are alienated, distances are created, and parties are made, and so love comes to nothing. This gives a melancholy prospect of the times, that there shall be such a great decay of love. However, it is of the love of many, not of all.
So, rather than a rosy picture, Jesus painted a realistic picture for believers in every century. If you complain because you continue to meet with the world’s animosity due to your faith in Christ, pay attention. Jesus has foretold us that it will happen until He comes.
Encouragements in the Face of Reality
This is reality; this will happen. But now notice the encouragements Christ gives in the face of these realities. He says the Gospel will triumph over all this and spread to the entire world.
Encouragement 1: A Platform for Testimony 📣
First, He says such treatment will be an occasion for testimony for the sake of Christ.
Mark 13:9: “You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them.”
They think they are in control; they believe they are going to restrain the progress of the Gospel by arresting believers. But in that very effort, Christ says, “I create a marvelous sounding board even to the great ones of the earth through you.”
We see how that was literally fulfilled in the book of Acts. You find Paul standing before King Agrippa, standing before Herod, and standing before the very center of Roman government at Rome, making his defense on more than one occasion. When all the great ones of the earth gathered at Rome, in a sense, Paul preached the Gospel to the whole world through this.
So our Lord encourages us that in the midst of unjust and abusive treatment, unnatural hatred, and universal hatred, such treatment will be a testimony for the sake of Jesus.
Encouragement 2: The Triumph of the Gospel 🌐
Secondly, such treatment will not stop the spread of the Gospel.
14 “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
I hope we can sense the unshaken certainty in the words of Jesus. Later in this chapter, He will say, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” This is one of those words that will not pass away: this Gospel must be preached. Why? Because Almighty God has set His love upon a vast multitude whom no one can number, out of every tribe and language, and He will call them through the Gospel.
So God will order the events such that in the commotion of wars, famine, earthquakes, nation against nation, hatred and opposition to the Gospel, and false Christs and false prophets deceiving the majority of people—in the midst of all that—He encourages His people that the Gospel will be preached to all the nations, in the whole inhabited world, as a witness to all the peoples.
“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” What a triumphant statement this was to the disciples, especially as they considered the Gospel going into the Gentile world! Yes, they would face many difficulties, but they were to persist in proclaiming the Gospel. We are not to grow slack because of persecution and opposition. We are not to withdraw into some safe cocoon or retreat. We are to push forward with the Gospel of Christ. Proclaim the good news to every people group, Christ tells us. That is the divine agenda as we wait for the end. Comfort, ease, and self-security are not our rights as Christians. We have a King to proclaim—let us be about that work to His glory!
Encouragement 3: Special Help from the Holy Spirit ✨
Thirdly, He encourages us with the promise of special help given by the Holy Spirit in the midst of opposition.
Mark 13:11: “But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.”
People often abuse this verse to claim that preachers do not have to study and prepare an orderly sermon, but can just stand up and let the Holy Spirit speak. Listen to their preaching; their blabbering is a clear indication the Holy Spirit is not speaking to them.
This is a peculiar promise given to a peculiar situation: when hatred against us is so tense that believers are seized upon, brought before the great ones of the earth, led to judgment, and delivered up. Our Lord doesn’t want you to sit anxiously in your cell wondering what you will talk about. You don’t even know what questions they will ask or how you shall lay out your testimony. Rather, when you are sitting in that jail, remember He will give you what needs to be said. In His plan, you are in jail, and He is attached to you. When people come and drag you before men, it is yours to believe that in that hour, He will give you what to speak by the powerful enablement of the Holy Spirit.
Oh, do you see these encouragements that the Lord gives in the face of terrible opposition against the Gospel? Jesus encourages us: such treatment will be an occasion for testimony; such treatment will not stop the spread of the Gospel; and special help will be given by the Holy Spirit in special times of need.
The Ultimate Call: Endurance
What, then, is demanded of the true disciples in the midst of all this opposition, persecution, and apostasy?
13 “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”
We are to pay attention to what is going on around us—to notice the changing religious climate so that we are not caught unaware. We are to face the facts of the world’s hatred, and even the reality of what it might cost us to live as Christians in an unchristian world. But Christ’s direction is not for us to hide or move to a commune. Knowing all this will happen and that the Gospel will triumph, we are called to unshakeable perseverance. There must be a tenacious, unflinching attachment to Christ and the Gospel.
Jesus Christ calls for endurance, perseverance, and continuing on as a Christian in spite of the circumstances. Perseverance gives evidence of genuine faith. To endure means that we bear up even in difficulties and times of suffering. The word literally means, “to abide under.” You continue to abide in Christ even when under the intensity of persecution. He calls us to be disciples, to be His followers through thick and thin. We can persevere because He preserves us and provides for us to continue on as Christians.
“To the end”—to the end of their lives, to the end of their present state of probation, or to the end of these suffering, trying times, to the last encounter, though they should be called to resist unto blood. It is comfortable to those who do thus endure to the end and suffer for their constancy, that they shall be saved. Perseverance wins the crown, through free grace, and shall wear it. The crown of glory will make amends for all.
All promises in Revelation made to the seven churches are made to the overcomers. They are promises of salvation. True salvation shows in our perseverance. He who is truly saved will endure to the end. Our High Priest secures our perseverance.
“End” doesn’t necessarily mean the end of time. It means he who endures to the end of the trial—the trial that has come in connection with confessing the Gospel. We may be killed—for some, hanged, tied to stakes, or burned. The “end” for some is dying of starvation. Our Lord says what is required in the face of these warnings and encouragements is a tenacious, unflinching attachment to Christ and to the Gospel.
Remember what He said: “Whoever saves his life will lose it… whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous generation, of him I also will be ashamed.”
In the light of these warnings and encouragements, what is demanded? Calm, resolute trust in the faithfulness of God and tenacious, unflinching attachment to Christ and to the Gospel, even unto the end. That is our salvation.
Whatever your preconceived notions may be concerning the end-times, I hope you will see that the greater priority must be on keeping first things first. Discern the times that we have been living in since Jesus ascended. We are in a world that continues to be eaten up by its sin. But Christ tells us, “See that you are not frightened.” We are in a world that views Christians with contempt and hatred. Christ tells us to endure to the end. And in that endurance, keep up the proclamation of the Gospel of the Kingdom.
How foolish for the dispensationalists or even those disciples sitting there to take this chapter and say, “Don’t worry, all this will not affect you, because ‘before things get too bad, we’re out of here via a rapture.'” But that is not what our Lord is teaching. He prepares believers in every century to understand that being a Christian goes against the thinking of the world. That teaching often comes from those who have never truly known what persecution for Christ’s sake means and cannot conceive of Christians going through this.
Grace Reformed Baptist Church, Bangalore 