Matthew 24:13-14 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. English Standard Version (ESV)
Reading through Revelation as some of you have just completed doing, you can't help but think of the end times. There are prophecies about trials, tribulation and judgment. We don't understand it all and the thoughts can be sobering.
In today's passage from Matthew 24, Jesus is telling the disciples and us about those end times. Reading these verses in the ESV one word stands out in three instances, it is a small word and is easily overlooked, it is the word "will".
Those who endure "will be saved", the gospel will be proclaimed to all nations, and the end will come.
John Piper writes:
"Not: This gospel should be preached.
Not: This gospel might be preached.
But: This gospel will be preached.
This is not a great commission, nor a great commandment. It is a great certainty, a great confidence. The grace of missionary service is as irresistible as the grace of regeneration. Christ can promise universal proclamation because he is sovereign. He knows the future success of missions because he makes the future. All the nations will hear!"
Not: This gospel might be preached.
But: This gospel will be preached.
This is not a great commission, nor a great commandment. It is a great certainty, a great confidence. The grace of missionary service is as irresistible as the grace of regeneration. Christ can promise universal proclamation because he is sovereign. He knows the future success of missions because he makes the future. All the nations will hear!"
When we look around at the chaos and the turmoil in the world, it is easy to see how things could be heading to those end times. In all of it we are called to persevere to endure in the power of His Word and His Spirit and to spread the gospel message knowing that God is in control and His will "will" be accomplished. As The Message states in verse 13 (below) "staying with it, that is what God requires. Stay with it to the end."
In what or whom do you place your hope, your confidence?
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
In Christ,
Mike
Mike
Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Matthew 24:13-14The Message (MSG)
13-14 "Staying with it—that's what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won't be sorry, and you'll be saved. All during this time, the good news—the Message of the kingdom—will be preached all over the world, a witness staked out in every country. And then the end will come.
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