Deliverance Will Come

AUGUST 16, 2020 STUDY NOTES MATTHEW 24:9-10 BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES DELIVERANCE WILL COME INTRODUCTION In verses 4-8 Jesus spoke of events that will occur at the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel Which He said was only the “beginning of sorrows,” Mat 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. The word translated “sorrows” refers to the travail or pain of childbirth Labor pains begin shortly before the time of the birth of the child and continue to increase The mother knows the meaning of the birth pains as soon as they begin Birth pains are one of the most painful experiences in a woman’s life But at the end of the mother’s birth pains comes a most joyful experience in a mother’s life Jesus compares birth pains to the events connected with the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel Events that will literally begin to occur at the same time and in conjunction with each other The time of these events will get closer and closer together, one right after another They will increase in frequency, intensity, and severity (They will literally take place) They will begin to make world news on a regular or daily basis (They will be easily identified) You will begin to see more than one of these events at a time on a daily news cast They have all happened in day’s past and the day will come when they will “all” be daily news They will continue to be the news of the day until the day that Christ returns Jesus identified those events in verses 5-7 and He said, “watch out,” don’t be led astray If you do not understand what is happening, you will be led astray and frightened There are things that must happen before “the end” comes, but don’t be troubled Those events will rapidly increase in number and severity, bringing forth the sorrow Jesus tells us that the 70th week of Daniel will begin as a most painful experience for humanity In verse 9, Jesus begins to warn believers concerning what will happen to them We can relate to verse 10 through the national news of today, Mat 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. (It can literally happen) Jesus is going to tell us that false prophets will come and lead many astray (11) The truth of verse 12 is also national news today, Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. (It can literally happen) Christians must endure until the end, Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (Not spiritual salvation, but physical deliverance, “Deliverance will Come”) Jesus is telling us to look beyond the sorrows of trials, troubles, tribulation, and persecution Following the Great Tribulation there will come the most glorious experience for Christians, Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Christians will be caught up to meet Jesus in the clouds, 1 Thess. 4:17) Another reason Jesus compares the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel with birth pains The mother knows that following the birth pains there will be a glorious experience Christians must learn that there will be times of sorrow as we faithfully serve Christ But “Deliverance will Come,” what a glorious experience it will be Jesus tells us that a single generation will witness all-of the events described in verses 5-14, Mat 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Jesus told us of things that are going to increase in frequency and intensity before He returns One of which will be persecution of Christians, Mat 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. A common word throughout Matthew 24 is “then,” it is found the first time in verse 9 “Then” has the meaning of “at that time,” during the same time, happening with that same time Here the reference is to the same time that the events described begin to come together frequently The word “then” is found 9 times in verses 9-40, describing how these events are related (9) Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you (10) And then shall many be offended (14) And then shall the end come (16) Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains (21) For then shall be great tribulation (23) Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ (30) And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn (40) Then shall two be in the field So, can we find a chronological order of events presented in Matthew 24? “Yes!” “Yes!” “Yes!” Jesus said, “they” will deliver “you” up to be “afflicted” (verse 9) Who was Jesus talking about when He said, “they shall deliver you up?” Who is the “they?” Who is the “you” that is going to be “afflicted?” To answer the question of “who” is going to be “afflicted” is of utmost importance It will answer the question, is the church going to be on earth at the time of the 70th week? “Afflicted” is the same word translated “tribulation” in verses 21 and 29 Mark’s account gives us a good explanation of what Jesus is saying, Mar 13:9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. “They” will certainly be people in positions of authority, such as governmental authorities Those who can legally take-action against Christians according to Mark and Luke, Luk 21:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake. The warning is not limited to the Jews, it refers to all who are living for His “name’s sake” Jesus said, you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony for Me The same word translated “Deliver you up” is found in all three Gospel accounts It has the meaning of being given over to another’s power for-the purpose of suffering So, it means being handed over to those who have the power to judge you and make you suffer The same word is used to describe Jesus being handed over for crucifixion, Mat 27:2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. And it is found again when Pilate sentenced Jesus to be crucified. Mat 27:26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Jesus said they will deliver you up “to be afflicted,” which means “distress” and “trouble” It is often translated “tribulation,” which focuses attention on external conditions The source of the affliction is coming from without, from those who are not followers of Christ “Affliction” is anything that burdens your spirit or causes you trouble It refers to more than a minor inconvenience, it speaks of the real hardships of life “Affliction” is any trial that pressures a person physically, emotionally, and spiritually All three Gospel accounts say the same thing, “You” will be persecuted “for my name’s sake” Christians will be taken to court, they will be punished, they will be sentenced to prison Christians will suffer persecution from those who are opposed to God and God’s Word There is another important point to be identified related to the time of these events “Then” in verse 9 turns our attention upon what Jesus describes in verses 9-14 And we will find a parallel of those verses with the verses in 15-21 Luke gives us an understanding of the time frame, “But before all these” (21:12) “Before all these” refers to what Jesus described in Matt 24:5-8; Mark 13:5-8; Lk 21:8-11 Jesus was telling the disciples what was going to occur in Jerusalem in 70 A.D. and in the future The total passage of each account reveals that all Jesus predicted was not fulfilled in 70 A.D. What happened in Jerusalem in 70 A.D. was a type of what will again happen in the 70th week The nation of Israel and the followers of Christ will be persecuted in the future Persecution of God’s people is nothing new, there has always been persecution of His people But persecution is going to be on the increase during the 70th week of Daniel And what will be the results of the persecution? Luk 21:13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony. (Mark 13:9) Just like in the days of the early church when they were persecuted, Act 8:4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. Paul testified that before he was saved, he persecuted the followers of Jesus, Act 22:4 And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. The followers of Jesus will continue to be persecuted until the return of Christ and shall kill you: In the days of the early church Stephen was killed, Act 7:59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. There have been many throughout the world who have died for serving Christ since Stephen All Christians should be willing to die for Christ The answer to the question, “Am I willing to die for Christ?” Is found in the answer to the question, “Am I living for Christ?” (If not, you will not die for Him) Jesus is not saying that all Christians will die in the 70th week, but many will be martyred Not all Christians will be martyred, there will be living Christians when Christ returns to earth But many who refuse to give allegiance to the Antichrist will face death Those who are faithfully living for Christ in the 70th week could face death, Rev 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: (Revelation 7:9-17) The Antichrist will have power over the body, but cannot touch the eternal soul, Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Do not fear the power of man or Antichrist, it is God who has the power to judge and punish It is important to distinguish between the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord The persecution upon believers during the Great Tribulation is not from the hand of God The seals of Revelation 6 are not the judgments of God or the day of God’s wrath The seals are the day of Satan’s wrath, which is known as “tribulation” and not wrath The word “wrath” is not found in Matthew 24, the first time it is found in Revelation is, Rev 6:16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: The sixth seal announces the beginning of the day of God’s wrath, Rev 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? (The 7th seal begins the day of God’s wrath) The day of tribulation described in Matthew 24 is not the wrath of God The “Great Tribulation” is the day of Satan’s wrath against God’s people The “Day of the Lord” is the day of God’s wrath against Satan, sin, and the followers of sin The “Great Tribulation” and the “Day of the Lord” are not one and the same The “Great Tribulation” is the hatred of Satan against the followers of Christ--and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. Throughout history the Jews have been hated by many nations Many attempts have been made to totally-destroy the Jewish people But the Jews will never be annihilated because there are unconditional promises yet to be fulfilled Jesus said the “hatred” during the 70th week of Daniel will be from “all nations” Therefore, the hatred is not limited to the Jews, there will also be a universal hatred of Christians Persecution and martyrdom are nothing new to the NT church, it is taking place today I have read statistics stating that every day 8 Christians worldwide are killed Every week, 182 churches or Christian buildings are attacked And every month, 309 Christians are placed in prison unjustly I recently read that in the month of June, hundreds of Christians were murdered in Nigeria American society shows no favoritism to Christians or the church today We can only wonder how far away we are from governmental control of American churches Jesus was not just speaking to the Jews when He said, Mat 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. Jesus was present with His disciples when He spoke those words But He was referring to the days of the 70th week of Daniel and the time of His 2nd coming, Mat 10:23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. Witness for Christ will not be over until the return of Christ as stated in the Great Commission, Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Jesus told us why the world would hate His followers, Joh 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. Christians will be hated because we are not of the world, Joh 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Christians can expect persecution, Joh 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. All because we know the Jesus that they don’t know, Joh 15:21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. Don’t be amazed at the thought of being persecuted for the sake of Christ, 1Jn 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. Christians will be hated and persecuted because they are living for Christ A STUMBLING BLOCK Mat 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. “And then,” at the time of the persecution of the Jews and the church Within the context they are the same ones who witness the beginning of sorrows (vs. 8) They are the ones who will face the severe persecution, the same generation (Mt. 24:34) “Shall many be offended,” means to cause someone to stumble and fall, a stumbling block It literally means that many “shall fall away,” no longer trusting and obeying God The words, “many shall be offended” are found several times in the NT It refers to bringing about someone’s downfall as a result-of something happening Something has come in the path of a person’s life that causes that person to stumble Which means that a stumbling block has been placed in their path and they fall by the wayside Many who profess Christ in the day of persecution are going to stumble and fall And unfaithful Christians will fall short of their commitment to God Many will lose faith and turn away from the truth, but it does not mean a loss of salvation They will become discouraged and they will not be willing to pay the price of living for Christ There are many verses of Scripture that teach perseverance for the Christian Teaching that we must be steadfast for Christ in times of difficulty The expectation of the return of Christ is a constant incentive to perseverance The disciples of Jesus are a good example of what this verse is saying Jesus used the same word in reference to His disciples, Mat 26:31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. Jesus spoke those words as he neared the Garden of Gethsemane to pray before His crucifixion That very night Peter and the disciples would fail to be true to Jesus Peter said, “not me,” Mat 26:33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus warned Peter of his denial of Jesus, Mat 26:34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. How many will be like Peter when the day of persecution comes upon them? Not only Peter, but all-of the disciples, Jesus said they would stumble and fall, Mat 26:56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. They were overwhelmed by what had happened, out of fear they were running away They had stumbled but they did not lose their salvation What happened did not mean that they were no longer his disciples The meaning is the same in Mt 24:10 Followers of Christ are going to find a stumbling block in their path It will be the affliction and persecution revealed in verse 9 They will fear being hated, they will fear death Notice that it is not only Christ that they turn from, they will also betray one another and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. “Shall betray” is the same word translated “shall deliver you” in verse 9 Betrayal has the meaning of “Handing one another over,” as Luke explains, Luk 21:16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. Christians that stumble will be handing other Christians over to the persecutors Their stumbling will bring greater persecution upon those who are faithfully following Christ Mark’s account reads the same, Mar 13:12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. Relationships will be broken among friends and family, in the work force, and in the church There will be hatred among those who have been taught to love one another They will have a persecuting spirit toward one another This hating is the very opposite of the teaching of Christ, Mat 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. Christians are going to need to memorize what Jesus said, Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; CONCLUSION Jesus was speaking to His disciples when He said, Mat 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. He was also speaking to all who will be faithful to His “name’s sake” Christians who will faithfully serve Christ regardless of what they might face The context is the time-period of the 70th week of Daniel The truth of what Jesus taught applies to Christians throughout the world today The truth of what Christians in America could soon be facing Those disciples were the “followers of Jesus” in that day, we are the followers of Jesus today The very same ones He has commissioned, Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: This ministry of the followers of Jesus is to continue until the end of the age, Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. As “followers of Christ” today we are to lead others to follow Christ We are to teach the new followers of Christ to follow Christ just like we did Christians of today are to obey the Great Commission just like the first disciples did When Jesus speaks of “you,” He is referring to all who will follow Him in any generation Regardless of the time-period or the location throughout the world Believers in Christ are to follow the teachings of Jesus until the end of the age Christians who follow Christ faithfully can expect affliction to come But we have a promise from Jesus, DELIVERANCE WILL COME Relax, take a moment to meditate upon the message, and listen to the song