“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:13/KJV).

Endurance is called for. God desires for believers to stand firm.

Christians are not exempt from the difficulties of life. Jesus here makes it clear that he will not immediately change the world to eliminate all troubles and all suffering.

In the beginning of Matthew chapter 24. we read that the disciples marvelled at the temple in Jerusalem. Jesus spoke prophetically and said a time was to come for this temple to be destroyed utterly.

Then we learn the disciples asked Jesus about his coming and the end of the world.  Jesus says the end would not come that quickly. Calamities such as wars, famines and earthquakes would arise, but that would not be the end as yet.

Jesus also said that false prophets and false messiahs would arise. Believers of every time are to watch out lest they be deceived.

Similarly as in the verse from Matthew 10 we have considered last week, Jesus here also says that his disciples would have to endure persecution. Some would even be put to death.

“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:12+13/NIV).

Theologians and Expositors do have different opinions concerning details of prophetic writings of the bible. Yet one thing is evident from scripture: Christians will have to endure some difficulties. Church history also shows that followers of Jesus often have been persecuted. Many are being persecuted today.

The question that remains to be answered here is: How can we endure? How can we cope with all the calamities and difficulties we may have to face?

In verse 14 we read: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (NIV).

It is the very message about Jesus Christ that will strengthen faithful believers. God will enable them to proclaim the good news to all kinds of people and nations.