Author: drthomasclothier

“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand).”(Matthew 24:15 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. First, 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.

Second, Matthew 24:15–25 describes a period of “great tribulation” that will come upon Israel and includes the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem.

Third, Matthew 24:26–25:46, focuses especially on the coming of the Son of Man at the end of the age and includes a summons for awareness until He comes.

For the next several days the focus will be on Matthew 24:15-25. Jesus continued to speak to His disciples (Matt. 24:1-14). They remain the original audience. We must be careful to no ignore this fact in correctly interpreting the text.

What did Jesus mean by the phrase abomination of desolation? Linguistically, abomination (βδέλυγμα; bdelygma) refers to what is detestable and abhorrent. It is a repugnant object or situation with no apparent redeemable value. Desolation (ἐρήμωσις; eremasis) is devastation and destruction.

Jesus also said this event should be known by the disciples. Daniel the prophet spoke of this detestable destruction during his ministry. The biblical texts to which Jesus referred to were Daniel 9:17, 9:27 and 11:31.

Daniel 9:17 (ESV) – “Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate.”

Daniel 9:27 (ESV) – “And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”

Daniel 11:31 (ESV) – “Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate.”

“In the second section of the discourse (vv. 15–25), Jesus shifts His attention to the first part of the disciples’ question: When will the temple be destroyed? Although futurist (dispensational) authors maintain that Jesus’ prophecy of the temple’s destruction refers to a future event that will take place after Christ’s coming and the “rapture” of the church, the context of Jesus’ prophecy and a parallel passage in Luke 21:20 conclusively argue against this view,” states Dr. Cornelius Venema.  

“The obvious context for this section of the discourse is the disciples’ question regarding when the temple would be destroyed. The language that Jesus uses, including His appeal to the prophecy in Daniel 9:17 (Matt. 24:15), is too specific and graphic to be understood in any other way than as a prophetic description of what transpired at the time of the temple’s destruction in AD 70.”  

“As to the erroneous implication of that question, as if the fall of Jerusalem and its temple would be immediately followed by the end of the age, Jesus has set the disciples straight on that. He has shown that many disturbances will occur and that a lengthy period of gospel proclamation is going to intervene before the day of his coming arrives. As to the first part of the question, considered all by itself, “When shall this—destruction of Jerusalem and its temple—be?” Jesus answers it now, but in such a way that the answer suits more than one event in history,” explains Dr. William Hendriksen.

What other events in biblical and recorded history relate to Jesus’ statement in Matthew 24:15? This question will be answered in our next article.

Soli deo Gloria!

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!

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, often called the Olivet Discourse or the Little Apocalypse, is one of the most significant passages in the Scriptures on the subject of the signs of the times and the end of the age. It is also, however, one of the most difficult passages in Scripture to interpret,” explains Dr. Cornelius P. Venema, president and professor at Mid-America Reformed Seminary, Dyer, IN.

“The discourse of 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.”

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.

“As in Matthew 10:22 so also here the meaning is: he who, in spite of all these disturbances and persecutions, remains loyal to Christ shall enter into glory. For himself the period of persecution and trial will last until death delivers him from this earthly scene (John 16:33; 2 Tim. 3:12). For the church in general it will last until Christ’s return in glory (2 Thess. 1:7; Rev. 11:10–12),” explains Dr. William Hendriksen.

“The ones who persevere are the same ones who are saved—not the ones whose love grows cold (24:12). This does not suggest that our perseverance secures our salvation. Scripture everywhere teaches precisely the opposite: God, as part of his saving work, secures our perseverance. True believers “are being guarded through faith for a salvation” (1 Pet. 1:5). The guarantee of our perseverance is built into the New Covenant promise. God says: “I will put the fear of me in their hearts that they may not turn from me” (Jer. 32:40). Those who do fall away from Christ give conclusive proof that they were never truly believers to begin with (1 John 2:19,” states Dr. John MacArthur.

“To say that God secures our perseverance is not to say that we are passive in the process, however. He keeps us “through faith” (1 Pet. 1:5)—our faith. Scripture sometimes calls us to hold fast to our faith (Heb. 10:23; Rev. 3:11) or warns us against falling away (Heb. 10:26–29). Such admonitions do not negate the many promises that true believers will persevere (John 10:28–29; Rom. 8:38–39; 1 Cor. 1:8–9; Phil. 1:6). Rather, the warnings and pleas are among the means God uses to secure our perseverance in the faith. Notice that the warnings and the promises often appear side by side. For example, when Jude urges believers, “keep yourselves in the love of God” (Jude 21), he immediately points them to God, “who is able to keep you from stumbling” (Jude 24).”

Believers in Christ are to persevere in our trust in, commitment to, dependence upon and worship of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. We persevere knowing God will preserve His people.

Soli deo Gloria!

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 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, Jesus used the adjective many (πολύς; polys) three times. The word  means a great deal or a great number. Whenever there is a repetition of a word, it is for emphasis. When the repetition is to the third degree, it conveys an ultimate emphasis.

Jesus referred to many false prophets (ψευδοπροφήτης; pseudoprophetes) referring to those who proclaim to be a herald of God’s truth and revelation, and are not. They are liars. They will arise (ἐγείρω; egeiro) and make war against the saints.

2 Peter 2:1 (ESV) says, “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.”

1 John 4:1 (ESV) says, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

These false prophets will lead many astray (πλανάω; planao). They will mislead, deceive, and cause the many to have a wrong view of the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Finally, because of the resulting lawlessness because of their rejection of God and His Word, the love of many will grow cold. The self-sacrificial love for God, and for other believers in Christ, will become callous and uncaring (ψύχω; psycho). In other words, it will diminish greatly into an icy and stony detachment.

“How far and wide this evil extends every person ought to know, but there are very few who observe it. For in consequence of the superior clearness with which the light of the gospel discovers the malice of men, even good and properly regulated minds grow cool and almost lose the desire to exercise benevolence,” states John Calvin. “Christ requires from His followers, on the other hand, such courage as to persist in striving.”

Let us continue to be the many who strive for the glory of God (2 Timothy 2:5). Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

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).

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).

To fall away (σκανδαλίζω; skandalizo) means to cease believing and to fall into sin.  We derive our English word scandal from this Greek word. A scandal is a disgraceful, shameful, dishonorable and humiliating behavior and act. This behavior of apostasy will be scandalous. It will be the result of a prior persecution of Christians.

Second, these many scandalous defectors will also betray their once fellow believers in Christ. To betray (παραδίδωμι; paradidomi) is handing over and delivering someone to an authority. The idea of treachery is inherent in this verb.

“Under pressure, many converts to Judaism reverted to paganism, and Jewish texts warn of many Jewish people turning from God in the end time as they had just before the rise of the Maccabees in the second century b.c. Apostasy and especially handing over friends to persecutors were considered horrible crimes,” explains commentator Craig Keener. “Thus Jewish readers would have readily understood Jesus’ warning about persecution and apostasy.”

Third, the attitude by these defectors towards those they betray will be hatred. To hate (μισέω; miseo) means to detest and to be hostile. One idiom for hate is “to spit at someone in the heart,” or “to kill in the heart.” The Lord predicted His disciples would encounter this type of response (John 15:18-27).

Have you ever encountered defectors, betrayers and haters in your Christian life? If you’re a true believer in Christ, you will. What is to be our response? Matthew 5:44-46 reminds us or our calling. Meditate upon this text today.

Soli deo Gloria!

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!

⁵ “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. ⁶ And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. ⁷ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. ⁸ All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.” (Matthew 24:5–8 (ESV)

Jesus warned His disciples of many who would lead many astray. The exact identity of these deceivers is unknown to us. However, three indisputable facts emerge. First, they will come. Second, they will come in saying they are the Christ. Third, they will come saying they are the Messiah in order to lead people astray, or to cause them to wander from the truth.

The Lord also cautioned and commanded His disciples to not be alarmed (θροεῖσθε; throeisthe) or troubled by unfolding events occurring in their lifetime. There would be wars and rumors of wars. There would also be natural disasters such as famines and earthquakes. Jesus said these calamities would take place but the time of His return remained uncertain.

“Wars, earthquakes, persecutions and false prophets are all signs of Jesus’ coming, but they indicate only the certainty of judgment, not its timing. Such signs characterize the entire period between His resurrection and His coming in judgment,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul. “Knowing when Jesus will return might lead His disciples to laziness and laxity in their watchfulness.”

“These troubles were associated with the sufferings many Jews thought would immediately precede the end (e.g., 4 Ezra 9:3; 13:31–32). For Jesus, they are only the “beginning of birth pangs” and characterize life as normal in this age. He describes some of them in Old Testament language (2 Chron. 15:6; Isaiah 19:2; Jer. 51:46),” states commentator Craig Keener.

In October of this year, I will observe my 50^th spiritual birthday. It was in 1974 when the Holy Spirit regenerated my soul, enabled me to repent of my sin and place my God-given faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. God converted me by grace alone, through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. I once was lost, but now am found. I once was dead, but now I am alive (Eph. 2:1-5).

During these five decades as a believer in Christ, I have witnessed many self-appointed messiahs predict and proclaim the end of the world and for people to swear unquestioning allegiance to them. Jim Jones and David Koresh were two individuals whose megalomania and thirst for power and influence resulted in the deaths of many who they led astray.

Many charlatans and false prophets continue to influence individuals today claiming to have all the answers, if you just follow them. If you do so, you will have your best life now. Be on your guard. See that no one leads you astray or deceives you.

Soli deo Gloria!

⁵ “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. ⁶ And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. ⁷ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. ⁸ All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.” (Matthew 24:5–8 (ESV)

Jesus warned His disciples of those who would lead many astray. The exact identity of these deceivers is unknown. However, three indisputable facts emerge. First, they will come. Second, they will come in saying they are the Christ. Third, they will come saying they are the Messiah in order to lead people astray, or to cause them to wander from the truth.

“Many false messianic figures arose in the first century (and subsequently); they often attracted large and devoted followings. Although Josephus, writing for Gentile readers, describes them as “false prophets” rather than as messiahs, their political aspirations are usually apparent in his descriptions,” explains commentator Craig Keener.

The reliability of Jesus’ words, and His own identity, was confirmed by an unlikely source. Following their numerous arrests (Acts 4:1-3; 5:17-18, 26-27), and future persecutions (Acts 5:40; 7:54-60; 8:1-3; 12:1-5), the Pharisee known as Gamaliel warned his fellow members of the Sanhedrin Council to take care in what they would do to the apostles (Acts 5:35).  

³⁶ For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. ³⁷ After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. ³⁸ So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; ³⁹ but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice. (Acts 5:36-39 ESV)

“The Pharisee was Gamaliel, who is described in extra biblical Jewish literature as one of the wisest and most pious of the era’s rabbis. Gamaliel also was one of the teachers of the Apostle Paul (22:3). Using examples of other Jewish leaders whose movements had begun strong but evaporated, Gamaliel recommended that the Sanhedrin leave the Apostles alone because the movement would come to an end naturally if it were not from God. Time would reveal the truth, and if the movement were from God and they opposed it, they would be in the unenviable position of opposing the Lord (5:33–39a). The council heeded Gamaliel’s words, likely because they knew he was popular with the people, and released the Apostles after flogging them (vv. 39b–40),” explains one commentator.

John Calvin comments, “Although the wicked attempt whatsoever they can, and seek all means to destroy the Church, although they furiously strive against Christ and his Church so much as they are able, yet they shall not prevail.”

The existence of the church for close to two millennium is one evidence Jesus Christ is God and His Words are true. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!