Matthew 24:3-14 English Standard Version

Signs of the End of the Age

3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 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.

There is nothing I can do about war, rumors, famines and earthquakes. As much as I can, I will warn everyone of faith not to fall away, but that is not under my control either. Tribulant times and persecutions will test everyone’s faith. Lawlessness is on the rise. Love is growing cold. There is nothing that I can do about that.

But I can proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom as far and wide as I possibly can.

But then we need to ask ourselves with all sincere faith, what end do we expect is coming with respect to what Jesus promises here? 

What we see and fear will drive our desires to see those things come to an end. Jesus says we will see all this but it is only the beginning of birth pains. This leaves me wondering about what we have seen, what we are seeing and if in this proclamation by our Lord, are we in the beginning pangs or nearing the end of those pangs and about to witness delivery?

I try to keep telling myself that what I think does not matter. I can only do what the Lord calls me to do. Enduring to the end is more likely to be the end of my life, not the end of any of those things spoken of in Matthew 24.

We can only do what we are able to do. Love and obey, remain faithful and not let these present times change our hearts.

False prophets will urge us to follow them rather than Jesus. Do not believe them.