9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:9–14 (ESV)
With every study of a particular biblical text, it is important to ask five fundamental questions. Those inquiries are fundamental to every devotional I write. The five questions, pertinent to any portion of Scripture, certainly and significantly apply to Matthew 24-25 in general, and to today’s text in particular. Those five questions are as follows:
- What did the biblical text mean to the original audience?
- What are the differences/similarities between the biblical audience and people today?
- What is/are the principle(s) found in the biblical text?
- Are the principles(s) found in the particular biblical text found elsewhere in the Scriptures?
- How may we apply the biblical text in our lives?
In Matthew 24:5-8, Jesus proclaimed life and living, following His ascension to heaven and prior to His glorious return to the earth, would be characterized by false prophets claiming to by the Christ. It would also be a time of deception, wars and rumors of wars, nations rising against nations, kingdoms rising against kingdoms, famines and earthquakes in various places. He compared these circumstances to the beginning of birth pains.
Jesus continued by describing the same historical context as a time of tribulation, hatred and death for believers in Christ (Matt. 24:9). The three references to the personal pronoun “you” is in the plural form. In the immediate context, this referred to Jesus’ first disciples, particularly Peter, Andrew, James and John (Mark 13:3). In the overall context, this troublesome period applies to all followers of Jesus.
The pronoun “they” refers to the false prophets who claim to be the Christ. Historically, these false teachers have included political, economic, sociological, psychological, scientific, atheistic, and religious rulers and influencers. The one thing they all have in common is they hate Jesus Christ and, therefore, they hate His disciples (John 15:18-27).
To “deliver up” (παραδώσουσιν; paradosousin) means to hand over and to betray unto harm. This will be the behavior of unbelievers in the future against believers in Christ. This not only occurred in the ancient church (Acts 4-5; 7:54-60; 8:1-5; 9:1-2;12:1-19; Romans 5:1-5; Philippians 1:12; I Thessalonians 2:1-2; I Peter 1:1-7; 2:11-12, 18-25; 3:13-17; 4:1-6, 12-19; 5:6-11; James 1:1-5; Rev. 1:9) and throughout church history, but also up to the present day with the recent martyrdom of two Christian missionaries in Haiti.
Tribulation (θλῖψιν; thilpsen) means affliction, distress, trouble and suffering. Jesus used this same word in John 16:33. “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Death (ἀποκτενοῦσιν; apoktenousin) means to be killed by force and violence. Jesus was not referring to a natural death by either disease or old age. This was death by forceful intent and elimination.
The Lord’s prediction of His disciples being hated (μισούμενοι; misoumenoi) refers to the reason for their tribulation and violent death. Again, the fallen world detests and is hostile to Christ and His disciples. All followers of Jesus will be persecuted for His name’s sake. In other words, the fallen world will persecute us because of the person and work of Jesus Christ.
“But it was monstrous and incredible, and was fitted to astonish and shake even the strongest minds, that the name of the Son of God should be so infamous and hateful, and that all who professed it would be everywhere disliked,” states John Calvin.
Jesus said this would happen. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11–12 (ESV).
Have a blessed day in the Lord, regardless of your circumstances. You are blessed!
Soli deo Gloria!
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