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?
Matthew 24–25 can be divided into three parts: Matthew 24:4–14 describes the signs of the times that will mark the present period of history between the time of Christ’s first and second advents. We examine vs. 14 today.
In Matthew 24:4-8, 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 be 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).
Jesus then revealed a series of effects by this overall preceding cause. The first effect would be defection, betrayal and hatred by those who professed Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, but who were not truly believers in Christ. “And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another” (Matt. 24:10). Jesus then stated, “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.” (Matt. 24:11-12).
In today’s text, the Lord offered two promises to His disciples; then and now. What then are those two, precious promises (2 Peter 1:3-4)?
To begin with, Jesus said, “But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” The word endures (ὑπομένω; hypomeno) means to bear-up, to continue, and to persevere despite persecution and suffering.
The second promise follows. Jesus said, “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.”
The noun gospel (εὐαγγέλιον; euangelion) means good news. It is the good news that God exists, sin exists, salvation exists and one Savior and Lord exists; Jesus Christ (John 1:1-18). The good news of God’s rule and reign in the hearts and lives of His people is while sin and rebellion exist within the soul of mankind, the Lord has chosen to save His elect through the person and work of Jesus Christ (Eph.1:3-14).
Jesus promised this good news would be proclaimed (κηρύσσω; kerysso) throughout the whole world. It would be a testimony (μαρτύριον; martyrion) meaning a witness or a truthful statement. This proclamation and testimony will continue to be the church’s vision and mission until the Lord Jesus Christ returns in power, might and glory.
“What Jesus is saying, therefore, is that the concluding events of the world’s history are going to be preceded by the preaching of the kingdom gospel “to all the nations.” That, as he saw and predicted it, such worldwide gospel proclamation would not be a matter of a few weeks, months or even years, but would range over a much longer period of time, many centuries, can be regarded as certain. The essence of that gospel is summarized in such passages as 3:2; 4:17, 23; 11:28–30; 26:6, 7; John 3:16; cf. Rom. 1:17; 3:24; 2 Cor. 5:20, 21. It is definitely the gospel of “the kingdom,” that is, of the reign of God in heart and life, by grace and through faith,” explains Dr. William Hendriksen.
Let us continue to be faithful to the Lord in proclaiming and testifying the truth of the gospel of the kingdom. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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