Then shall they deliver you up unto tribulation, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all the nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many stumble, and shall deliver up one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall arise, and shall lead many astray. And because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many shall wax cold. But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. Matthew 24:9–13

The believers have been persecuted time and again during the history of the world. Several Roman Emperors sought to stamp out Christianity. The time of the Reformation saw persecution in many places. In our own day believers are persecuted in many lands. Yet, wars have usually not been fought for the purpose of persecuting believers. This is, however, a sign of the times that the attitude of the world is going to change. In the latter days the unbelievers will band together against the believers. Former wars have been fought primarily for political or economic reasons. The conflict at the end will be of a different nature.

This is a sign of the times: Great tribulation will come. Men will kill you and hate you because you are believers! All tile nations will hate you because you belong to the Christ. Satan will throw off all restraint. His purpose will be clear. The enmity which began as soon as sin entered the world will reach its height.

Not only will there be opposition from without, but there will he many within the church who will turn against the true believers. It will be a time of testing. Many who have confessed the Christ and were members of the church will reveal that their faith was not genuine. They will not care to endure the tribulation of that time. It will be a time of purging. Persecution will weed out many who had been members of the church. They will not remain neutral but will hate the true members. They will be active in delivering the faithful to their enemies.

Besides this, false teachers will enter the church. These will seek to undermine the teaching of Christ. What a temptation this will be! If the teaching of Christ and the Scriptures is compromised to some extent, professing Christians may be able to live with their enemies. As a result, many will be led astray. It will be a time when the believers must know the truth and be very sensitive to the teaching of Scripture to be able to stand. These false teachers will be subtle. Jesus warned concerning them throughout his ministry. They are wolves who come in sheep’s clothing.

The church of Christ has had a tremendous influence for good in the world. The moral standards in the world have been due to the teaching and influence of the church. However, when the whole world rises against the church and spurns her teaching, the morality of the world falls into decay. Iniquity will be multiplied. There will be such a wave of sin and evil as the world has never seen. The love of the many shall wax cold. Natural affection will cease. A wave of inhumanity will sweep over the world. While unbelievers have often put believers to shame in showing kindness one to another, this spirit will no longer be found. Hate will take its place. It will be difficult to live in such a world.

Will this world consume the church of Christ? No, there will be true believers until the very end. Those who endure to the end shall be saved. It will be a matter of endurance. The church has often traveled an easy road. It has often been fashionable to belong to the church. Those days will be ended. It will be a time of trial. However, the reward of faithfulness is great. These difficult days will not go on forever. There will be an end. Full and glorious salvation will be the reward of those who remain faithful to their God.

Questions

1. Is the present world-conflict between different political and economic ideologies, or is it becoming a conflict between the world and the church?

2. How will false prophets lead many astray? What will they teach?

3. Are there indications that iniquity is multiplying and that love is waxing cold? Does the church still exert a beneficial influence on communities?