Key Text: Jesus said unto them, see ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you, there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down (Matthew 24:2).
In the final week before Jesus’ crucifixion, He gave what has come to be known as the Olivet Discourse. In it, He answered questions asked by His disciples: when would the temple be destroyed as He foretold, and what would be the accompanying signs of His coming and the end of the world vv 1-3. In each circumstance, tough times were to be expected. Jesus warned the disciples of the difficult times ahead for the Church. The Church would have to endure false prophets and teachers who would lead many astray v 5. Jesus also warned of wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes that would happen throughout the world vv 6 – 8. By calling these things “the beginning” of labor pains, Jesus indicated that things will get notably worse at the end of the era. Persecution would become more intense and believers would experience betrayal by those they trusted. False prophets would arise, and a general increase of human callousness and wickedness would be seen vv 9-11. Without a doubt, there will be many threats to the faith of believers. Those who fall away in such a manner give evidence that they never were true believers to begin with. Only those who hold true to the faith to the end will be saved v 13, not the ones whose love grows cold.
Christians were never promised a trouble-free life. God has not promised us lives that are pain and problem free. Today, many believers throughout the world are already experiencing persecution. In the face of adversities, Christians must remain faithful and rest their hope in God. Difficult times can be overcome because the Lord is present to give believers strength. While Satan desires to bring persecution to Christians to destroy their faith, the Lord uses it to purify those who belong to Him. Additionally, God will not allow temptations or trials to be more severe than His followers can bear. God is not interested in fair-weather followers. He is looking for true love and devotion. We have to determine that we will serve the Lord no matter what comes our way. God is never without a witness, and He will proclaim the gospel from heaven itself, if necessary (Rev. 14:6). And, when the message ultimately penetrates every part of the globe, “then the end will come” v 14. Final excruciating birth pangs will come characterized in the time of The Great Tribulation. AMEN!
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