Where the Gospel Thrives Best - July 18th, 2021

Pre-Introduction: My Hope Is Jesus. He saves Me, and He will keep me till the end. The Rock of my salvation! On Christ I will depend! The message of that song is the greatest message of hope for hard times! Jesus is looking for those who will simply stand for Him in an evil day, and having done all, to stand. Will you be among those who are counted faithful unto the end? Or will you give in to the pressures of affliction, and count the cost of following Jesus too high, because you’ve given in to the devils lies or the world’s pleasures and put the things of God on the back burner?

As our children dismiss for a children’s service, I invite you to enjoy with me the main service of the First Baptist Church of Westminster, Colorado, this is the Co-Pastor bringing the Sunday Morning Message entitled, “Where the Gospel Thrives Best.” You can follow along with us in your Bibles in Matthew chapter 24 and verses 9-14.

Introduction:

Matthew 24:9–14 KJV 1900

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. 10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 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.

Illustration: Who Will You Follow? Consider these ancient words from the past:

‘ “If these philosophers,” I asked, “do not know the truth, what teacher or method shall one follow?”

‘ “A long time ago,” he replied, “long before the time of those reputed philosophers, there lived blessed men who were just and loved by God, men who spoke through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and predicted events that would take place in the future, which events are now taking place. We call these men the Prophets. They alone knew the truth and communicated it to men, whom they neither deferred to nor feared. With no desire for personal glory, they reiterated only what they heard and saw when inspired by the Holy Spirit. Their writings are still extant, and whoever reads them with the proper faith will profit greatly in his knowledge of the origin and end of things, and of any other matter that a philosopher should know. In their writings they gave no proof at that time of their statements, for, as reliable witnesses of the truth, they were beyond proof; but the happenings that have taken place and are now taking place force you to believe their words. They also are worthy of belief because of the miracles which they performed, for they exalted God, the Father and Creator of all things, and made known Christ, His Son, who was sent by Him. This the false prophets, who are filled with an erring and unclean spirit, have never done nor even do now, but they undertake to perform certain wonders to astound men and they glorify the demons and spirits of error. Above all, beseech God to open to you the gates of light, for no one can perceive or understand these truths unless he has been enlightened by God and His Christ.” ~ Justin Martyr, Dial. 7

All of us need to move from speculation to implication in our study of prophecy, because the Bible does not record prophecy of end-time activity simply for curiosity’s sake. Many will surely undertake a study of prophecy in a vain attempt to figure out what Jesus declared to be unknown—the time of the end and his return. But prophecy about the future is always given for the purpose of affecting behavior in the present. Every Bible passage I have ever studied with a message about end times always comes in the context of exhortation and warning. That must never be forgotten...[Jesus] prophesies future events so that we will discipline ourselves to maintain and expand...personal kingdom-righteousness in our daily lives regardless of the circumstances. He does not tell us these things so that we will be obsessed with dates, events, and speculation about the minute details of his prophecy, but to encourage us to godly living. [Michael J. Wilkins, Matthew, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2004), 792.]

I believe we’re on the very cusp of seeing the Gospel explode yet again in our generation

I want to talk to you about the conditions where the gospel grows best

The things that we will look at are bitter-sweet, because of the great sorrow and breaking that occurs along with the sowing of the Gospel seed

Hard ground must be broken up before it can be sown successfully. What is the plow that God sometimes uses to break up that fallow ground? Persecuted Saints & Rampant Godlessness pave the way for God’s intervention.

Main Thought: Times of the worst frustrations for God’s people are the very times when the Gospel can have the greatest influence in the world!

Sub-intro:

The words of Jesus in this Gospel, especially in the five primary discourses, contain a wealth of kingdom principles to guide the church throughout its history. They are directly linked to Jesus’ purposes for all his followers, since they comprise the primary material from which all disciples are to be taught to obey everything Jesus commanded (cf. 28:18–20; …The Sermon on the Mount [chs. 5–7], the Mission Mandate [ch. 10], the Parabolic Disclosure [ch. 13], the Community Prescription [ch. 18], and the Olivet Discourse (chs. 24–25]). Like the other discourses, the fifth is addressed to insiders—Jesus’ disciples. It intends to give to them a basic prophetic overview of the events to transpire in the near and distant future. But Jesus’ intent isn’t primarily to give a timetable; he focuses especially on the attitudes and character qualities that guide their discipleship to him for the days and years ahead. [Wilkins, NIVAC]

Context - Verses 9-14 describe some of the events of Daniel’s Seventieth Week. Break down how to view the verses from a dispensational viewpoint.

Quote: “While the discourse contains a host of allusions to the OT, the book of Daniel is baked into the Olivet Discourse, functioning as an interpretive framework for understanding Jesus’s prophecy.” ~ Benjamin Gladd, Handbook on the Gospels, Baker Academic, 2021.

Note - Correct any misconceptions regarding hyper view points, preterist notions, and post-millennial fallacies.

Transition with the thought that though Christ’s description here is clearly future, it reveals a pattern that has been betrayed since the earliest days of Christ’s Apostles (e.g. the Gospel reaching to the ends of the earth, despite the severest persecution of those who preach the name of Jesus).

The Climate Where the Gospel Thrives Is One Of-

I. Great Affliction: Where Jesus’ Followers Are Severely Persecuted for His Name’s Sake (Matt. 24:9).

Matthew 24:9 KJV 1900

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. The Coming Persecution: Believers Handed Over to Affliction & Martyred (v. 9a).

Note - Birth Pangs (see v. 8) -

John 16:21 KJV 1900

21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

Illustration: Contractions During Childbirth

This section is describing what I can only relate to you are the contractions of delivery in relation to the birthing of Christ’s Coming Messianic Kingdom.

Quote: “The birth pangs are a pain that, once it has begun, must run its course to completion, regardless of what happens to mother or child along the way.” ~ Conrad Gempf, TB v. 45

Note - the “You” part

Note - gk. thlipsis - tribulation, affliction, pressure, lit. to press, squash, hem in, then to be narrow. [TDNTA]

Note - Who is being handed over? Prophetically - Jewish believers during the Tribulation. Practically - a pattern repeated throughout the history of God’s people since Jesus ascended.

B. The Cause for Persecution: All Nations Hatred for the Name of Jesus (v. 9b).

Note - the “Me” part

Revelation 6:9–11 KJV 1900

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: 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

Quote: “The most glorious name in the world today, but soon to be a byword of shame (Acts 5:41). The disciples would count it an honour to be dishonoured for the Name’s sake.” ~ John A. T. Robertson, WPNT

Acts 5:41 KJV 1900

41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Transition: The Soil Where the Gospel Thrives best is not only where God’s people suffer the greatest afflictions, but it is also Dirt that is...

II. Great Apostasy: a World Riddled with Godlessness (Matt. 24:10-12).

A. The Reason for the Godlessness: Religious Deception (Mt. 24:11)

Matthew 24:11 KJV 1900

11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

Note - “then” (v. 10) is directly connected to “false prophets...arise,” (v. 11) so the sense is, as a result of the many false prophets that shall arise… Everything in verse 10 is precluded by verse 11.

Note - the “One Another” part

Note - See Rev. 13:1-18; 16:13

Quote: “False prophets shall arise and shall deceive many (vs. 5, 11). Any religious ventriloquist with a dummy can deceive a gullible generation that will not believe the truth.” ~ Vance Havner, Hearts Afire: Light on Successful Soul Winning.

B. The Results of Religious Deception (Mt. 24:10):

Matthew 24:10 KJV 1900

10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

1. Offensive Apostasy

Note - “offended” or scandalizo

Note - “to cause to be brought to a downfall, cause to sin (the sin may consist in a breach of the moral law, in unbelief, or in the acceptance of false teachings)…The abstract [focus on quality (Wallace); permissive (Gildersleeve)] passive can also mean let oneself be led into sin, fall away.” [BDAG]

Application: IT GETS MESSY

If you’re the type who likes harmony in all relationships, you’ve got problems ahead. Jesus indicates in many ways how problematic relationships will get before he comes again.

•People you considered Christian brothers will turn against you.

•Admiration for your faith will give way to tolerance, then to spite, then to hate.

•The justice system you believed would protect you will decide to oppress you, then threaten you, and then exterminate you.

What’s to be done? Stay faithful to Jesus, loyal to all who call him Lord, true to your calling as best you understand it. Stay alert and focused. God’s Word is truth, and God will see you through. [Bruce Barton, Life Application Bible Commentary]

2. Treacherous Betrayal

Note - paradidomi

Quote: “When persecution increases, some will abandon their faith to save their necks.” [Craig Blomberg, NAC]

Quote: Universal persecution, apostasy and worldwide missions revival mark the final era. These events began to characterize Christianity in the first century, although not yet on a worldwide scale.

Under pressure, many converts to Judaism reverted to paganism, and Jewish texts warn of many Jewish people turning from God in the end time as they had just before the rise of the Maccabees in the second century b.c. Apostasy and especially handing over friends to persecutors were considered horrible crimes.

Thus Jewish readers would have readily understood Jesus’ warning about persecution and apostasy here; his teaching concerning the spread of the good news of the kingdom among all nations, however, runs counter to prevailing Jewish teaching. Although apocalyptic writers expected persecution by the nations, they did not anticipate a widespread conversion of Gentiles before the end. [Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, 1993]

3. Horrific Hatred

This world does not mind religion, but it does resent the Lord Jesus Christ. Did you know that more Christians have died for their faith in the past century than all of the other centuries since Jesus Christ hung on the cross? It is estimated that more Christians were tortured and slain in 12 months of World War II than died under Rome in all of the early centuries. We think of those Christians who died when Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven and the Christians were persecuted under Rome. More people have died for Christ in our generation, in our age. Some authorities claim that over 50 million Christians were slaughtered in Russian and other communist countries because they named the name of Christ. Since the ascension of Jesus Christ, no generation has seen such worldwide persecution as is now in progress. Open your eyes and look around. Bible-believing Christians are the whipping boys. Christian-bashing has become the favorite sport in newspapers, radio, and television. A while back, on National Public Radio, partially tax-funded, there was a man. His name is Mr. Codrescu. He complained about being handed a tract in downtown New Orleans about the Rapture. The tract was based on [1 Thessalonians chapter 4, verses 16 through 17, and it talked about Christians going up in the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17).] Here’s what Mr. Codrescu stated—and I quote: “The evaporation of four million people who believe this crap would leave the world an instantly better place”—end of quote. This was broadcast over 300 stations to an estimated five million people, and shows the utter contempt that National Public Radio has for those who pay their salaries. Can you imagine this? It’s sad to see what is happening. But, ... persecution in the last days will be turned to a white-hot heat, and I wonder how many Sunday morning benchwarmers will vacate themselves from Bible-believing churches. [Adrian Rogers, The Signs of the Times and the Beginning of the End]

C. The Product of this Godlessness: Abounding Lawlessness & Abating Love (Mt. 24:12)

Matthew 24:12 KJV 1900

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Note - “wax cold” is “To breathe cool by blowing, to grow cold, ‘spiritual energy blighted or chilled by a malign or poisonous wind’ (Vincent).” [RWPNT]

Note - connection to 2 Thess. 2:3, Man of sin.

2 Thessalonians 2:1–7 KJV 1900

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; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

Excursus: Who is “he who now letteth...”? The State (or Government) [F. F. Bruce, et. al.], the preaching of the Gospel, or the Holy Spirit Indwelling Believers as Salt? Are Christians not to have some restraining influence on lawlessness? What is happening to our communities now that Christian influence is on severe decline in our places of leadership and representation?

2 Timothy 3:1–5 KJV 1900

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

“Coldness leads to liberalism. You can’t stay cold and stay true. If you are cold, you will soon depart from the truth. “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”   Saved people are cold to each other. I see in the true church of Jesus Christ men struggling for their own personal benefit. There is a coldness toward each other, a no-care attitude about other Christians, and a disregard for the true body of Christ. God knows there is a coldness toward lost souls. How few Christians really care that multitudes are without God. There is a coldness and an indifference to old-fashioned Bible preaching. God said, speaking to Isaiah, “Lift up thy voice, cry aloud, spare not, make my people know they have sinned.” [Tom Malone, Capitulation]

“Abounding Lawlessness and Abating Love...We are living in a strange and weird hour. A sinister and satanic atmosphere pervades the world. The god of this age knows that his time is short and that the powers of darkness are working overtime. The lines are drawn, the issue is Christ or Antichrist, and we have on one hand a demonstration of the Spirit and on the other a " demon-stration" of the devil. It is a tired and weary world. The journey is too great for us all. Men's hearts fail them for fear. On top of the physical and mental languor there is poured out a spirit of deep sleep. Satan is out to disable the body, deceive the mind, and discourage the spirit. He tells sinners they are safe and he tells saints they are lost. In such an hour it is not easy to keep the heart-fires burning. I have discovered Christians whom I have known for years gradually cooling off in their love toward God. Often in Christian homes it is difficult to talk on spiritual things. Talk anything else, and it would take several shorthand experts to keep up with the conversation; talk of Christ and one would think he was sitting up with a corpse.” [Vance Havner, Hearts Afire]

Transition: The Ground Where the Gospel Seed Grows Best, is ground where God’s people suffer great affliction, and is a world of iniquity that is riddled with Godlessness on every hand, but friend, it is also a place conditioned...

III. Gospel Advancement: Where God’s Divine Intervention Is Unmistakable (Matt. 24:13-14).

Quote: “Jesus never spoke of His return in terms of time but of condition. We are to be busy preparing the condition (see Matt. 24:14) and leave the time with God (see Acts 1:7).” ~ Herschel Hobbs

A. The Reward of Endurance (Mt. 24:13)

Matthew 24:13 KJV 1900

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

2 Timothy 2:12 KJV 1900

12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

James 5:11 KJV 1900

11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

Note - the “Those/This” part

Note - Divine Passive.

Note -

hupomeno (ὑπομένω, 5278), lit., “to abide under” (hupo, “under”), signifies “to remain in a place instead of leaving it, to stay behind,” e.g., Luke 2:43; Acts 17:14; or “to persevere,” Matt. 10:22; 24:13; Mark 13:13; in each of which latter it is used with the phrase “unto the end”; or “to endure bravely and trustfully,” e.g., Heb. 12:2–3, 7, suggesting endurance under what would be burdensome. See also Jas. 1:12; 5:11; 1 Pet. 2:20. [Vines]

“to maintain a belief or course of action in the face of opposition, stand one’s ground, hold out, endure.” [BDAG]

To quote the ancient statesman, “if they are willing to stand their ground for a while like men and do not run away like cowards.”

hypomonḗ becomes a prominent virtue in the sense of courageous endurance. As distinct from patience, it has the active significance of energetic if not necessarily successful resistance, e.g., the bearing of pain by the wounded, the calm acceptance of strokes of destiny, heroism in face of bodily chastisement, or the firm refusal of bribes. True hypomonḗ is not motivated outwardly by public opinion or hope of reward but inwardly by love of honor. [TDNTA]

What a blessed promise of encouragement! Notice, that the promise is only stated in the positive. Serious theological mistakes can easily be avoided by simply refusing to read into this verse what genuinely is not there: This verse contains no condemnation to the one who fails to endure. This verse remains silent in regards to anyone losing any salvation. This verse is not concerned with those who fail to endure through the tribulation. No, it only stresses in the most blessed terms the rewards that await the blessed believer who does faithfully endure to the end for the sake of Jesus’ name.

Quote - “In the context, the salvation referred to here is from persecution, that is, salvation from the beast’s control by the appearance of the Deliverer—Rom. 11:26” [J. Dwight Pentecost, Thy Kingdom Come: Tracing God’s Kingdom Program and Covenant Promises throughout History (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1995), 251.]

Explanation - Reigning with Christ in the Kingdom

Often in the Old Testament salvation has messianic overtones. It refers to the future regathering of the nation of Israel and their establishment as rulers in a universal kingdom under the kingship of David’s greater Son. It is not surprising then to find that both sozo and soteria often have similar connotations in the New Testament: joint participation with Christ in the coming kingdom rule.

It is possible that this is the thought behind our Lord’s famous saying: “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved [sozo]” (Mt. 24:13). The context refers to the terrors of the future tribulation. While it is possible that the meaning is simply, “he who endures to the end will be delivered at the second coming,” that seems a bit tautologous and lacks encouragement. If the content of the salvation here is positive, then a great motive for endurance has been provided. It may be preferable to view the salvation here as the receipt of the kingdom and the right to rule there. The condition of salvation in this passage is steadfast endurance which does not yield under persecution but perseveres to the final hour, i.e., either the end of the tribulation or the end of life. [Howard] Marshall argues, “It probably indicates not so much endurance to the very end of the period of tribulation but, rather, endurance to the very limit, even to the point of death.”

Matthew 25:34 KJV 1900

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

The apostle says:

2 Timothy 2:10 KJV 1900

10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

While the majority of the commentators understand the “elect” to refer to the unregenerate who have not yet believed (but certainly will), there is good reason to understand the term in this context as a virtual synonym for a regenerate saint...There appear to be no particular contextual indicators against applying this consistent usage of the term to 2 Tim. 2. It is best to understand by “the elect” Timothy and the faithful men of v. 2. Timothy is being exhorted to suffer in his ministry to the faithful men just as Paul has been imprisoned for his ministry to the “elect.” The idea of Paul suffering for the sanctification and growth of the churches is a common New Testament theme and is easily seen in this passage as well.

Here then are saved people in need of salvation! The salvation in view is necessarily sanctification or, perhaps, more precisely, victorious perseverance through trials (1:8; 2:3, 9). Elsewhere in the Pastorals, “salvation” has referred to aspects of sanctification so there is no reason why it cannot have such a meaning here as well (e.g. 1 Tim. 2:15; 4:16). The setting is the dismal situation of apostasy (in 1:15, shortly to be identified, 2:17–18). Paul reminds Timothy that loyalty to the profession of faith (v. 11) does not go unrewarded (Rom. 8:17; 2 Tim. 2:12). If they persevere, they will not only obtain victory but eternal honor (v. 10), reward at the judgment seat of Christ....

Salvation is a broad term. However, only with difficulty can the common meaning of “deliver from hell” be made to fit into numerous passages. It commonly means “to make whole,” “to sanctify,” “to endure victoriously,” or “to be delivered from some general trouble or difficulty. Without question, the common “knee-jerk” reaction which assumes that “salvation” always has eternal deliverance in view, has seriously compromised the ability of many to objectively discern what the New Testament writers intended to teach. As a result, Experimental Predestinarian views have gained wider acceptance than they should have.

A similar problem exists in regard to the definition of “eternal life.” Once again a kind of instinctive response to this word sets in. Without due consideration of contextual matters, it is often assumed, without further discussion or proof, that the term invariably means “to be born again.” ...this is not always so.

[Adapted from: Joseph C. Dillow, The Reign of the Servant Kings: A Study of Eternal Security and the Final Significance of Man (Monument, CO: Paniym Group, 2011), 127–133.]

Philippians 1:6 KJV 1900

6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

2 Timothy 1:12 KJV 1900

12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Hebrews 7:25 KJV 1900

25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

1 Peter 1:5 KJV 1900

5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Jude 24 KJV 1900

24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

Illustration: Endurance Means Deliverance - The Story of Ernest Shackleton’s Crew who endured 22 months of the most grueling survivalist conditions awaiting their human savior, Captain Shackleton, to return with rescue. All were delivered, none were lost to casualty.

B. The Gospel Preached throughout the Entire World (Mt. 24:14a)

Matthew 24:14a (KJV 1900)

14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations;

Quote: Vitality of the gospel:—”See what vitality the gospel has! Plunge her under the wave, and she rises the purer from her washing; thrust her in the fire, and she comes out the more bright for her burning; cut her in sunder, and each piece shall make another church; behead her, and like the hydra of old, she shall have a hundred heads for every one you cut away. She cannot die, she must live; for she has the power of God within her.” (C. H. Spurgeon.) [Exell, BI, Matthew]

[From The Speaker’s Quote Book, Roy B. Zuck]:

In the early part of the nineteenth century the elders of a small church in Scotland met with their aged pastor and urged him to retire. They complained that there had not been a single conversion in the church in a year. “There was one,” he told them, “The wee lad Bobbie.”

They remembered, then. Not only had the boy confessed Christ as his Lord and Savior but a few months later, at a missionary meeting, had done an outstanding thing. When the offering plate was passed, Bobbie asked the usher to place the plate on the floor. The, removing his shoes, the lad stepped on it and said, “I give myself to missionary service. It is all I have.” Wee Bobbie became known and revered the world over by those who love the Lord as the gifted missionary to Africa, Robert Moffat. If any brighter light ever shone in the dark continent, it would be Moffatt’s son-in-law, David Livingstone.

—E. Schuyler English

Whose I am is more important than who I am.

Who I am is more important than what I do.

What I do is more important than where I do it.

—Don Hillis

Note - See Rev. 7:1-8; 11:1-12; 14:6-7

There is strong encouragement in Jesus’ statement. Even though at times opposition appears to be insurmountable, true Christianity will assert itself in the preaching of the gospel message. The prophetic statement of Jesus assures us that nothing can stop this. To the churches around the world that persevere under governments that have legislated against evangelism or proselytizing—for example, in some Islamic or communist nations—this is a powerful, immediately relevant promise. This is also a powerful promise to those in Western countries that have become increasingly secularized. No matter how bad things may get within public opinion or the political arena, no matter how much government may legislate against Christianity, or no matter how much persecution is mounted against it, the gospel cannot be stopped until the end, when Jesus returns in glory and power. [Wilkins, NIVAC]

C. Then Will The End Come (Mt. 24:14b)

Matthew 24:14b KJV 1900

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.

1 Corinthians 15:24 KJV 1900

24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

Note - “The noun telos is derived from a root tel-, which means to turn round. Originally it meant the turning point, hinge, the culminating point at which one stage ends and another begins; later the goal, the end.” [Shippers, R. NIDNTT]

Note - Anarthrous vs. Articular “Telos,” this “end” is “THE END” cs. v. 13, “unto the end” is anarthrous, there, the emphasis is on salvation, here, on the consummation.

Conclusion:

Review: The Ground where the Gospel grows best is in a field where the followers of Jesus suffer great afflictions at the hands of those who hate Jesus and everything His name stands for. The Soil where the Gospel thrives is a hard dirty ground where there’s nothing but godlessness on every hand, where people who ought to know better give in to the lies of the devil, and then do nothing but chew each other up and spit each other out leaving nothing but the bones behind. They become offended at each other, they betray each other, they hate each other, and they wonder why there’s no fire in their hearts anymore, because iniquity abounds like a Tsunami of sin. But friend, I’m here to tell you, that these conditions are the very conditions where “the darker the night is, the brighter the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ becomes!” If you will just hold on a little longer, then Jesus will come Quickly, and the promise is that His reward is with Him when He does! Just keep on preaching the Good News that Jesus Saves, come hell or high water, no matter, for they will never drown you as long as Christ is in your earthly vessel!

Application: We have every reason to believe that we are living in the closing moments of this present dispensation and this age. That means several things to me.

A. It Means the Word of God Is True

B. It Means That Those of Us Who Are Christians Should Take Hope & Courage

Frankly, I’m very encouraged. I say, “Bless God, it’s getting gloriously dark,” amen? For Jesus said, “When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:28)

C. It Means That We Should Get Busy Sharing the Gospel

The real proof that you believe these things is not so much whether you have it in your notebook, but whether you have it in your heart. We need to get our heads out of the clouds of prophecy and on the pavement of soul winning and begin to warn people to flee from the wrath to come and to be saved.

D. It Means If You Don’t Know the Lord, You Ought to Get Saved

He wants to save you, and He will save you. [Adrian Rogers]

Illustration: Right on Time [The McKamey’s]

They sent for Jesus,

“Your friend’s about to die,”

But tarried He still on behind.

So they laid Lazarus in a tomb

And said their last good bye,

But coming down the road

Was Jesus right on time!

Just hold on my child because

He's not too far away,

And He knows your need

Before you pray.

So when your feet are weary,

From the mountain you have climbed,

Look ahead here comes Jesus

Right on time.

I’ve struggled through life's deserts;

They were so hot and dry.

Till it seemed all hope was gone

And I would die.

And I wondered, “Where was He?

Is He still a friend of mine?”

Then coming down the road

Was Jesus right on time.