The last time Jesus was at the temple he said, “See, your house is left to you, desolate.
“For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord'” (Matthew 23.38-39).
As he was headed back to the Mount of Olives, he told his disciples: “You see all these, do you not? Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down” (Matthew 24.2).
In less than 40 years, the Roman army did what Jesus prophesied. They destroyed the temple, leaving only the foundation.
While Jesus was with his disciples on the Mount of Olives, they asked him about the end of the age. Jesus highlighted some of the events that will lead people to think the end of the age has come.
“Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah!’ and they will lead many astray.
“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.
“For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places” (Matthew 24.5-7).
Jesus said that these were not the end, “but the beginning of the birth pangs” (Matthew 24.8).
The disciples who first heard Jesus’ words plus many followers in the years have experienced the following.
“Then they will hand you over to be tortured and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name.
“Then many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.
And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24.9-12).
All of the disciples with the exception of John are believed to have been tortured and executed by the Roman government. Before his conversion, Paul pursued followers of Jesus in an attempt to stop the Jesus movement.
Over the years, it has been dangerous in many countries to openly profess allegiance to Jesus. We can be grateful that in America we have the freedom to declare of love for Jesus.
Matthew was contending with false prophets when he wrote his Gospel. Early church history contains examples of false prophets and heresies.
A recent news story told of a modern-day preacher who is selling real estate in heaven. I don’t know if he claims to be a prophet, but he is certainly false.
Who would want to live in Haiti or Sudan where lawlessness is the norm? The fear of living in a lawless nation where harm can come upon you unimpeded by the law will produce a hard heart out of self-protection.
Jesus noted the need to endure and continue making the spread of the good news the primary mission of the church.
“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
“And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24.13-14).
The proclamation of the good news of God’s kingship is the very thing that brings about persecution, torture, and death to God’s servants.
In many ways, the Book of Acts can be read as an outline of how the early church preached the good news to a hostile audience. The last verses found Paul in prison continuing to declare the good news to all.
Proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance (Acts 28.31).
No matter the cost or risk, we are called to give bold proclamation of the good news of God’s love through Jesus. We trust that by the power of God, it will be unhindered.
Today’s Application
The events of the past few years have led people to wonder if we are living in the last days.
If you haven’t listened to Rudy Ross on our YouTube videos, I’d encourage you to do so. Rudy has spent many years studying the end times. He has excellent insights that are not always found in the treatment of the subject.
All of us will recognize that the end is closer today than it was when Jesus talked with his disciples on the Mount of Olives.
My response to the issue is to focus on Jesus’ words in verses 13 and 14. We need to endure and remain faithful to the Lord despite any troubling world events.
In word and deed, we need to be proclaimers of the good news of God’s love. My hope and prayer is that we will find creative ways to share with everyone we encounter God’s love.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 