Verses 9-14

One conspicuous feature of the Olivet Discourse is the absence of any mention of the beginning of the 70th week, commonly referred to as the "tribulation." As we saw in the previous article, Jesus spoke of earthquakes, wars, famines, and pestilence, as increasing prior to the "great tribulation." As we will see when we study verses 15 and following, the "great tribulation" does not actually begin until the mid-point of the 70th week, and lasts for 3 1/2 years. The length of the period of "birth pains" is not indicated. Some have speculated that the "birth pains" are limited to the first 3 1/2 years of the 70th week. However, there is nothing in the text to suggest this. Perhaps it is born out of the need by pre-tribbers to isolate this passage from the "Church age." However, if you are comfortable with the idea that Jesus was predicting events that the Church will see, there is no reason to suppose that the "birth pains" might not cover a substantial period of time. My opinion is that we have already entered the "birth pains," which will continue to increase until the mid point of the 70th week.

In verses 9-14 Jesus addresses the condition of the Church in the last days. We should sit up and take notice, because what He says here concerns you, me, and our loved ones.

Matt 24:9-14
9 "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations on account of My name.
10 "And at that time many will fall away and will deliver up one another and hate one another.
11 "And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many.
12 "And because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold.
13 "But the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved.
14 "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come.
(NASB)

As we approach the mid point of the 70th week, persecution of Christians will become rampant. We shouldn't think that this is far into the future. Christians are being persecuted right now. In fact, according to the "Voice of the Martyrs," there have been more Christian martyrs in this century alone than in all of the centuries since Christ combined. There are hundreds of thousands of Christians suffering in prisons in many countries around the world. Just because we have not seen this kind of persecution yet in our little corner of the world doesn't mean this prophecy has yet to be fulfilled. It will come to where you are. By the time the mark of the Beast is implemented, persecution of Christians will be world wide.

For those who try to confine this prophecy to the nation of Israel, notice that persecution will be on account of Jesus' name. No doubt, Jesus is speaking of Christians here.

In verse 10 He says that when this persecution comes, many will "fall away." Of course, this goes against the Calvinistic theology of many Christians who think that once you have said a "sinner's prayer," you are home-free. However, the Scriptures teach, in no uncertain terms, that a genuine believer can forsake God, and be lost. It is a matter of the will. Believing the gospel is necessary to salvation, and one chooses to believe or not to believe. Likewise, continuing to believe the gospel is necessary for continued salvation. And, one still has a free will after he is saved to continue in Christ, or forsake Him and be lost forever. The persecution mentioned by Jesus will cause many to abandon the Christian faith.

Apparently, this "falling away" will be on a massive scale. Paul also mentioned it occurring prior to the mid-point of the 70th week.

II Th 2:1-3
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
(KJV)

No doubt Paul was referring to Jesus' words. He listed the "falling away" as a sign, along with the revelation of Antichrist, that could be easily recognized, and which would precede the coming of the Lord. Apparently, there is going to be a mass defection from the Christian Church. We can already see the beginnings of this, with the push for ecummenism, and the churches returning to Rome. The Roman church is also actively involved in trying to bring other religions into her fold. The apostasy has already begun, and soon true Christians will be compelled to join the new world religion, or suffer persecution. Many will turn away from Christ rather than suffer.

When this occurs, according to Jesus there will be households divided, and friends and family members will betray one another. In another passage, Jesus elaborated on this.

Matt 10:21-22
21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
(KJV)

This is probably the most difficult thing for Christians during this time. Family members and loved ones will abandon the faith, and then turn in husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, and children. We must be prepared for this possibility. Our faith in Christ is going to be tested severely. Only those who pass the test, and remain committed to Christ until either they are killed, or they survive until the coming of Christ, will be saved.

In verses 11 and 12, Jesus gave two reasons for this mass apostasy. First, many will be deceived by false doctrine, which will lead them to accept the false gospel, and false Christ. I believe that much of the groundwork has already been laid by "ministries" that teach things like the "prosperity gospel," and the "laughing revivals," etc. Christians are being opened up to demonic influence, and taught that materialism is their right. Also, I am sad to say, certain other doctrines that are commonplace among Evangelicals, like "once saved always saved," and the "pre-trib rapture," are going to reap a devastating harvest when the time of testing arrives for western Christians.

The second reason for the mass apostasy, is the increase in iniquity. Rampant unchecked sin among God's people is also laying the foundation for the "falling away." We tolerate so much in our lives, our families, and our churches, that is clearly in opposition to the Word of God. These things have a corrosive effect on our faith. When the time of testing comes, we need faith like Abraham. What will be our condition if we have not been faithful to Christ prior to the time of testing? Notice that Jesus said because iniquity will abound, MOST people's love will grow cold. The "love" mentioned here is "agape." This word is only used in the Bible in reference to God or believers. It is God's love shown through true believers. According to 1 John, it is the true test of whether or not we are genuine believers. Yet, Jesus said that MOST people's love will grow cold. Only those who endure to the end will be saved. Do you see the picture here? Most Christians today are not going to remain faithful to Christ, but will fall away from the faith, and be lost, either because tolerated sin has so weakened them, or because they will be deceived by false teachers. I don't know about you, but that scares me. Most of the people in your Church are going to forsake Christ, and take the mark of the Beast when it comes. Wow. What are you doing to prepare your family spiritually to stand firm in faith no matter what comes? I know this convicts me, and it should convict you as well.

Paul gave us instructions on how to go about preparing for this situation described by Jesus.

Eph 6:10-13
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
(NIV)

No doubt, many Christians might suppose that I have misapplied this passage, thinking that the "evil day" is referring to trials and tribulations in general. However, the Greek text is quite clear that Paul was referring to a particular "evil day" in the future that Christians knew was coming. This is seen in the fact that he used the definate article twice in the Greek. Actually, he said, "in the day, the evil one." Since he is speaking in the future tense, he must have been referring to something that was prophecied beforehand. Most likely this is a reference to the "great tribulation" Jesus mentioned in the chapter we are studying. Also, the Early Church Fathers understood this passage as referring to the tribulation, too. Below is a quote from Cyprian.

"For you ought to know and to believe, and hold it for certain, that the day of affliction has begun to hang over our heads, and the end of the world and the time of Antichrist to draw near, so that we must all stand prepared for the battle; nor consider anything but the glory of life eternal, and the crown of the confession of the Lord; and not regard those things which are coming as being such as were those which have passed away. A severer and a fiercer fight is now threatening, for which the soldiers of Christ ought to prepare themselves with uncorrupted faith and robust courage, considering that they drink the cup of Christ’s blood daily, for the reason that they themselves also may be able to shed their blood for Christ. For this is to wish to be found with Christ, to imitate that which Christ both taught and did, according to the Apostle John, who said, “He that saith he abideth in Christ, ought himself also so to walk even as He walked.” Moreover, the blessed Apostle Paul exhorts and teaches, saying, “We are God’s children; but if children, then heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”... The Apostle Paul teaches us to be armed and prepared, saying, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against powers, and the princes of this world and of this darkness, against spirits of wickedness in high places. Wherefore put on the whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand in the most evil day, that when ye have done all ye may stand; having your loins girt about with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one; and the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Let us take these arms, let us fortify ourselves with these spiritual and heavenly safeguards, that in the most evil day we may be able to withstand, and to resist the threats of the devil: [The Epistles of Cyprian, LV, 1,7-10]

Peter also gave us instructions regarding this, which we would do well to heed.

2 Pet 1:5-11
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
(KJV)

2 Pet 3:17,18
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
(KJV)

Are you serious about remaining faithful to Christ in the tough time to come? Then I suggest you get busy implementing these Scriptures into your life, and the lives of your family members.

Finally, Jesus made a profound statement in verse 14. He told the disciples the reason for the long delay in His coming back to earth. It is the completion of the task He assigned to the disciples, and to us as well. The gospel must be preached among all nations before the end will come. Peter also confirmed this in his second Epistle.

2 Pet 3:8-9
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
(KJV)

The Christian Church has in its power the ability to hasten the coming of Christ. Remember, in an earlier article, I spoke of the fact that the Olivet Discourse is written in such a way that it seems the coming of Christ could occur in the first century? Here is the reason this is so. If the true Church had completed the task, then these events would have come to pass at any point in the history of the Church. In Daniel 9, where the famous passage describes the 70 weeks which will end with Christ's Kingdom, it says the 70 weeks are "determined." This word means that these periods of time are fixed, and nothing can change them. But, we also know that there was a gap predicted, between the 69th week, and the 70th week. The 69th week ended at the crucifixion, and the 70th week begins the final countdown to the second coming. We are living in this gap, which is NOT DETERMINED according to the prophecy of Daniel. It is not "fixed." Why? Because it depends on us, and our work of completing the Great Commission.

Go to: Matt. 24:15
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