Shema Living During End Times (10)
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 24:13-14)
There are many things in life that do not come easy. They demand much time and strenuous work. The marathon runner who trains faithfully is prepared for a grueling 26.2 mile race. The academic student pursuing a degree must navigate challenge after challenge of study and research, taking tests and completing assignments in order to complete the degree that is desired. These athletic and academic endeavors, along with countless others can take years to prepare, know, and complete. So, many things in life require diligence and perseverance. Jesus adds one to the list…persistence during the end times.
Though there has been a dark, chaotic, and grave picture painted by Christ in His Matthew 24 prophecies as He has described stretching moments of deception, natural disasters, and wars. Yet, these heartbreaking events are only the beginning as heightened trickery and dishonesty will spiral out of control as well as a mistreatment of others through betrayal and hatred mark the transition into the Great Tribulation.
But…
Yes, in the midst of such depravity and upheaval there will be those, Jesus declares, who “swim upstream” and “move against the grain” to remain faithful to their Lord. Yes, Jesus gives a message of hope and promise that pivots off of His people who remain stalwart and true to their Lord. These are the one who have faithfully watched and continually prayed.
The word ‘endure’ denotes standing firm and being constant. Those who endure will have the internal fortitude to not fall prey to the lying false prophet or the phony false believer. Here, in this time, salvation cannot be a simple declaration or a “walk the aisle” decision but will be a matter of endurance against the pressure, difficulty, and hardship of that generation. Thus, Jesus indicates not all faithful believers will give their witness of Christ by martyrdom but will withstand as a living witness and sacrifice in the day of suffering and persecution through the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit.
The ”end” Jesus mentions refers back to the disciples’ question in verse 3: “What will be the sign of Your coming and the end of the age?” The end of this present age will give way to the eternal age through the door of “Day of the Lord” (Isaiah 2:12; Zechariah 14:1; Acts 2:19-20) and when Christ returns to rapture His people and bring wrath and judgment that extinguishes wickedness and the evil one.
Moreover, not only will rewarded endurance be realized but another end times indicator will be fulfilled, “this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole inhabited earth…” Again, like those who endure, a second prophetic message of hope comes to fruition and signals the end and that is, the good news of Jesus has been taken and communicated to every tribe and nation and the message of Christ has been offered for one to receive or to reject. Jesus’ words here foreshadow what is seen and described by John in Revelation 5:9 of this worldwide gathering before the throne of God in heaven.
Indeed, this end time indicator is quite different than those Jesus mentioned earlier. The fabric of destruction, horror, and evil will have, woven into it, the thread of God’s good salvation that was happening simultaneously. The witness and testimony of God’s free offer of salvation in His Son will be provided up to the very end of the age through faithful, enduring disciples who have continued allegiance to their Lord and His commission (Matthew 28:19-20).
The fulfillment of this task leans on the church and not on the work of the wicked or natural disaster. Since this indicator is gospel-driven two aspects will be true: the context of suffering and the mighty work of the Holy Spirit. Biblical and extra-biblical history bears witness that in times of Christian martyrdom the gospel of Christ brought expansion to His church and kingdom. Spirit-empowered witness intertwined with died-to-self believers suffering equate to a combination God uses to wonderfully and powerfully extend His salvation.
Jesus taught in Matthew 7:13-14 that the way to life is through the narrow gate. At no greater time than during the end times will that kingdom truth be true. May our Heavenly Father find in us as well as disciple-making those who are coming behind us to be true believers who deny self, take up a cross, and follow Christ (Luke 9:23) in order that His commission of His gospel to be supernaturally empowered by His Holy Spirit at a difficult time and to a deceived world.
Our Father, we praise and thank You for being true to Your ways and teaching as You fulfill Your end times plan and purpose. Thank You that the larger picture of evil will never completely stamp-out Your work and witness on earth. Bring forth Your life in us that is not merely a decision and looking to be in heaven in one day but a real discipleship that embraces the road of suffering and persecution on a daily basis now so Your message of salvation is given to all peoples of the world. In Jesus’ name, amen.
