Archive for the ‘Prophesies concerning Christ Jesus’ Category
Then the end will come
After saying that the previous signs were the beginning of birth pains Jesus continued to say in Matthew chapter 24 verses 9-14:-
“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.
And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.
And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.
And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.
But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
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.
Once again Jesus seems to be talking generally. Christians have been martyred all through the ages. Stephen was the first recorded martyr in Acts chapter 7 verse 58 & 59:-
Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Since Stephen’s martyrdom countless thousands of other believers have suffered the same fate. Christians are still being martyred around the world today mainly in fundamental Islamic states and rigid communist countries.
Many will fall away and betray and hate one another and many false prophets will arise. Once again this has happened throughout the ages. Today churches are splitting and arguing over core Biblical beliefs and doctrine. The sanctity of marriage between male and female being just one point that is causing enmity between churches and a falling away of the faithful.
Lawlessness will be increased and the love of many will grow cold. Here in the UK some would say that lawlessness is definitely increasing. Fifty to sixty years ago a murder would have made the headlines of the National Press as it was such an infrequent event. Today it barely warrants headlines in the Local Press unless it is a particularly gruesome or shocking murder. Over the same period community spirit has waned. People used to know and look out for their neighbours, generally speaking nowadays many do not even know who their close neighbours are.
But the one who endures to the end will be saved. These words are aimed specifically at the believer (one who believes Jesus Christ is the Saviour of our souls and repents of his/her wrongdoings. Asks Jesus Christ into their lives and strives to follow Jesus for the rest of their earthly lives). Jesus is promising eternal life for anyone who endures these hardships and hold onto Him. We may even face martyrdom here on the earth but life everlasting is secure in Him.
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 gospel of the Kingdom has been preached since Jesus walked the earth some two thousand years ago. Some believe it has already been preached to all nations at some point during the last two millennia; some believe that there are still nations that haven’t heard the gospel. Whoever is right when this gospel has indeed reached all nationalities and the birth pains (see previous point to ponder) reach their climax Jesus’s return will not be far away? Are you ready for His coming?