NOT ALARMED

Matthew 24:6–14 ESV

6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. 9 “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. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 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.

I. YOU WILL HEAR

Matthew 24:6 (ESV) — 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.

Matthew 24:6 ESV

6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.

Matthew 24:7–8 (ESV) —7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

Matthew 24:7–8 ESV

7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

See: Be vigilant, be on the lookout, or be careful that you are not troubled or alarmed by what you hear or see.

“Tacitus, a Roman historian (AD 56–120), documented major quakes in Antioch, Phrygia, and Laodicea before AD 70.400A famine also struck toward the end of Claudius’s reign, around AD 50.401

But none of these troubles signify that the end is at hand; they are the “beginning of the birth pains” (v. 8).”[1]

II. CALLED TO ENDURE

Matthew 24:9–14 (ESV) — 9 “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. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 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.

Matthew 24:9–14 ESV

9 “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. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 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.

Romans 8:23–24 (ESV) — 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?

Romans 8:23–24 ESV

23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?

James 1:2–4 (CSB) — 2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

James 1:2–4 ESV

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

The passage (Matthew 24:6-14)also equips disciples to persevere by warning them to expect calamity, persecution, and tribulation without succumbing to fear. All of this fits the overarching goal of leading many into the kingdom and caring for its citizens so that they can endure and welcome Jesus joyfully when he returns.”[2]

Luke 21:34–36 (ESV) — 34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Luke 21:34–36 ESV

34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

400 Tacitus, The Annals, trans. John Jackson (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1925–1937), 3:401 (12.58.3) and 4:151 (14.27.1). 401 Acts 11:27–30 mentions it, as do many ancient sources. v. verse(s) [1] Doriani, D. M. (2021). Matthew. In I. M. Duguid, J. M. Hamilton Jr., & J. Sklar (Eds.), Matthew–Luke: Vol. VIII (p. 359). Crossway. [2] Doriani, D. M. (2021). Matthew. In I. M. Duguid, J. M. Hamilton Jr., & J. Sklar (Eds.), Matthew–Luke: Vol. VIII (p. 360). Crossway.