The Saved Must Endure

AUGUST 23, 2020 STUDY NOTES MATTHEW 24:11-13 BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES THE SAVED MUST ENDURE INTRODUCTION In the previous verses Jesus taught us that Christians will be persecuted during the 70th week Persecution of the followers of Christ is nothing new and occurs throughout the world today According to Jesus the persecution of God’s people will increase toward the end of the age In verses 11 & 12, Jesus explains why persecution will increase And then He gives us a promise in verse 13 We are not going to cover verse 14 today, but I want you to hear it, Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. The gospel must continue to be preached until “the end,” who is going to preach it? Read Mt. 28:19-20, the “Great Commission,” “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” Jesus gives us a motivation, the saved must endure in-order to preach the gospel to the world We read Mt. 24:9-13, then we read verse 14, and then we read verse 15 The time of the abomination of desolation will come, but the gospel will continue to be preached Jesus said, we need to understand, yes, we need to understand that the saved must endure Jesus gives us another motive for perseverance, many are going to be deceived MANY DECEIVED Mat 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. “False prophets” will come forth, they will make their appearance, and there will be many “Many” false prophets will appear and when they do, “many” will be deceived “False prophets” will be those who claim to be from God with a message from God But both facts are “false,” they are not from God and their message is “false” Their teaching is a false doctrine, but they claim their teaching is of God Jesus previously warned us, Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (They appear to be as harmless as sheep) Peter tells us different, 2Pe 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. False prophets were also known as “false teachers,” because they taught false doctrine They teach false doctrine claiming to have a revelation from God, especially for the future “False teachers” existed in the day of Peter and more would come-in the future “Among you” includes God’s people of today, there are many false teachers today There always has been and there always will be false teachers among the people of God They deceive others by their teaching and their way of life, and many will follow them, 2Pe 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. Many will follow them because they will teach what humanity wants to hear (so common today) In our day people want to follow an “easy believe” salvation, a way of salvation that they like A salvation that gives them security and allows them to live as they please Allowing them to continue to sin and not be convicted People want a salvation plan that pleases man, that appeals to the sinful flesh “False prophets” and “False teachers” existed in the day of Jesus and the day of Peter There have been many since the day of Peter and there will be more to come-in the future John tells us, 1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 1 Peter said they will be among you, among God’s people, John said they will be out in the world Paul warned the Ephesian Elders that false prophets would come, Act 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Paul told them what the false prophets would do, Act 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Paul gave us another warning, 2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. Which are of Satan, 2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. They will be Satan’s ministers, 2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. Their purpose is to discredit the Christian way of life, to destroy a Christ-like testimony They are blaspheming God, speaking against the Christ you have committed your life too They are speaking against the Christ who changed your life and gave you a new life to live The “works” of false prophets will prepare the way for the “False Prophet” The False Prophet is the second beast of Revelation 13:11-18 (Rev. 16:13; 19:20; 20:10) Jesus warned that many will be deceived by Satan through false prophets and false teachers and shall deceive many. The meaning of “deceive” is to be misled, to wander or go astray The fact that “many” will be deceived tells us how good false prophets are at their deception “False prophets” will claim to have a revelation from God, they will appear to be the real thing, Mar 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. But their doctrine will be false, lies that cannot be believed, paths that cannot be followed, Mar 13:23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things. They will perform signs and wonders to gain the attention of the people And then attempt to turn them to other gods, especially to the Antichrist who claims to be God In 2 Peter 2:2 we find that “many shall follow their pernicious ways” To follow their teaching is to travel a path of destruction Peter is probably identifying a life of self-indulgence, committed to the pleasures of the flesh Probably describing a life that is in-contrast to the “way of truth” (average American lifestyle) That life is what the false teachers appeal to, they appeal to sinful flesh, offering a license to sin Scripture has warned us, Christians face a great danger in the future The danger of following the path of false prophets and teachers leads to sin and rebellion LOVE WILL GROW COLD Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. “Because” explains why the love of people will grow cold, “iniquity shall abound” “Iniquity” is that which breaks the law of God, it is lawlessness Literally lawlessness means without law, in scripture it is the violation of God’s law It includes all things that are contrary to God’s Word “Iniquity” is when people place no value upon the Word of God, they totally disregard the Bible Lawlessness is living as if there is no law, believing there is no law because there is no God It is also actions which violate moral principles, when all feelings for that which is right is gone When people choose to do their own thing, their own way, without any consideration for others Paul uses the same word translated “iniquity” to identify the work of the future Antichrist, 2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. In the NT, the word “mystery” speaks of something unknown or hidden Something unknown until God reveals the truth of it It is God who must make known or reveal the truth of the mystery 2 Here the mystery is that of “iniquity,” which means “lawlessness” Satan uses lawlessness as a resistance of people coming to know Christ Through the influence of iniquity Satan turns people away from Christ Consider the worldly activities of today that are keeping people away from Christ How many church members miss church on Sunday because of worldly activities? But they don’t see the truth of what is actually taking place Satan is the force of influence that now works in our world, he is behind the rebellion against God The wickedness of sinful man now works in our world and will continue to work Wickedness will continue to increase until it reaches its utmost in the Antichrist The greatest rebellion against God that will ever occur will be by the Antichrist That is why Jesus called it, “the Abomination of Desolation,” Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) The Antichrist will take his seat in the Temple and declare himself to be God Jesus said iniquity is going to “abound,” meaning to increase or rapidly multiply The mindset of the Antichrist, or the spirit of Antichrist can already be seen in America The attitude of disobedience toward God is on parade in the streets of America today Satan’s program is rapidly making progress, “iniquity abounds” today Jesus is telling us that the day will come when iniquity will rapidly multiply and increase It is rapidly increasing in the hearts and minds of people today, that which they now desire The lifestyle of sinners makes life difficult for Christians desiring to live righteous lives, 2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. Times are going to be difficult because people are going to be difficult, 2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Difficult people will be those living and increasing in iniquity, 2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Pleasure loving people without love for God, 2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; They will be convinced that they are religious, but they are really filled with iniquity, 2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. Satan is convincing the world that iniquity is a normal lifestyle and even a religious lifestyle Jesus told us about religious people and what they will say to Him, Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? He also told us what He will say to them, Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Jesus confirms that many will follow the path of iniquity and some will be found in the church the love of many shall wax cold. The evidence of love growing cold in America can be seen on the national news every day In the name of “life matters,” crime, violence, and injury to others march in the streets of America Day by day love for one another in America is growing cold The words of Isaiah can be applied to the average American society of today, Isa 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! This verse is found within a passage identified as “Woe” to the wicked (Isaiah 5:8-30) Israel was warned that punishment would come because of their sinful state Sin had reached the state that their moral perception was darkness Like America today, right has become wrong, and wrong has become right People have been blinded to the truth of life and senseless crimes are the evidence of it How could a society of supposedly intelligent people reach that state? 3 Jesus described it as lawlessness, people turning away from God’s Word When that happens, love grows cold, first love for God and then for one another The first of the seven letters to the churches was written to the church of Ephesus, Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. The last letter was written to the church of Laodicea, Rev 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. First, love will cool off, and then the heart will grow cold Remember 2 Timothy 3:2, “For men shall be lovers of their own selves” Then in verse 4, “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” Our world today is a lover of pleasure, people are filling their lives with toys of pleasure People are obsessed with our tools of modern convenience People are in love with television, computers, cell phones, and games of pleasure All of which keep people away from God’s Word, faithfulness to Christ, and His church Since churchgoers are so accustomed to a life of entertainment many churches now entertain Entertainment is more important to them than the teaching of God’s Word The same tools that are entertaining churchgoers could be used as tools of ministry But they are keeping Christians away from the study of God’s Word and from ministering Love for God is growing cold in too many American churches today IT IS TIME TO ENDURE Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. The verse begins with “but,” which presents to us a contrast with the previous verses This verse is a contrast to verse 10, Mat 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. (But there are those who will endure) It is also a contrast to verse 12, Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. (But there are those who will endure) The word “endure” means to remain under, to bear the load, to persevere, remain strong in faith Endurance is the opposite of giving up, the opposite of discouragement; despair; defeat To endure means “to remain under” the load and maintain a witness for Christ (Matthew 24:14) We must be a continual testimony for Christ even during times of pressure, affliction, persecution Verse 13 is a strong word of encouragement for the Christian who will enter the 70th week Paul instructs Christians to be “patient in tribulation,” Rom 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; We are already living in the day when the saved must endure Only true believers will be able to remain true to Christ in the time of persecution Salvation is not the results of perseverance, perseverance is the results of salvation Perseverance is the proof of a genuine salvation experience There will be Christians who will “endure,” they will remain loyal and faithful to Christ They will stand strong against the pressures of the difficult days within the 70th week of Daniel They will not be defeated or discouraged by difficult people living in iniquity They will continue to be a Christian witness of love for God among those who don’t love God They will also be the living proof of God’s faithfulness of to his people God will be faithful to His people “unto the end,” and we must be faithful unto God--unto the end, The “end” is the time that the disciples had asked about, Mat 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? Jesus said in verse 6, Mat 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 4 Jesus said in verse 14, Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. The purpose of the Christian life upon this earth must be fulfilled before the end comes The goal of the church must be accomplished before the end comes According-to verse 14 there will have-to be those who are saved and remain faithful to Christ The faithful who endure will be those who preach the “gospel of the kingdom” to all the world the same shall be saved. “Shall be saved” has the meaning of to be rescued, to be delivered from danger It does not mean that they will be spiritually saved because they endure and preach the gospel That would be a salvation by works and there is no salvation by works (Ephesians 2:8-10) They will endure because they are saved, their endurance is the proof of their salvation Our patience and endurance must continue until Jesus returns, Jas 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Christians must continue in the faith until the coming of the Kingdom of God, Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Love for God must endure unto the end, 2Th 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. Biblical patience is the ability to keep going for Christ even in times of tribulation Christians must continue to be a witness for Christ under the most difficult circumstances Perseverance is the proof of a genuine faith in Christ Faith’s Hall of Fame is found in Hebrews chapter 11, a record of the faith of the OT saints The word “faith” is found 24 times in Hebrews 11 Faith heroes of the past left us a living testimony Jesus is telling us that there must be “Faith Heroes” for the future, even in times of persecution Christians must continue to be a living testimony for Christ “unto the end” And in the end, they will be rescued, they will be physically delivered, Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. The days of the tribulation will be cut short It will be cut short for the sake of the physical deliverance of the elect CONCLUSION The events that Jesus described in verses 5-7 have been occurring throughout history There were false Christs in the day of Jesus and the early church Today they are still-continuing to come forth in their attempt to deceive many There has been one war after another, nations continue to war against one another There have been many days of famine throughout the world at many different times Disease of epidemic proportion has spread in many countries at many different times Major earthquakes have occurred in many different countries throughout the ages But Jesus is not using the history of these “things” throughout the ages as a sign He is not referring to “here and there” occurrences, happening every 100 years or more Jesus said that these events are just “the beginning of sorrows,” Mat 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Meaning they are like birth pains) Jesus is revealing to us the events of the 70th Week of Daniel, a final 7-year period Jesus said, “the saved shall endure,” which means the saved must get with it Christian, look at America today, look at our world today, it is time to get with it Listen to the message of the song 5