Matthew 24:10-13
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
As we see in Matthew, the first book of the New Testament Jesus is stepping from His personal and private life into His public ministry (Matthew 4). After Jesus' water baptism He steps forward to carry out the plans for which He came into the world. To die for sin.
This is where we read what is referred to as the Sermon on the Mount. The Sermon on the Mount is found in The Gospel of Matthew, specifically chapters 5, 6 and 7. This section of the Bible contains a collection of Jesus' most famous teachings and sayings, including the Beatitudes and the Lord's Prayer, which outlines the characteristics of a life lived in God's Kingdom.
The text that we just read is found a few chapters later in Matthew 24, when Jesus is speaking these words telling His Disciples about the signs of the end times.
Jesus talked about a time of extreme persecution for anyone or any group who might consider following Jesus and He tells His disciples that many will be offended.
Have you noticed that today everyone is like a pin cushion? Everyone is easily offended. Just as if they were being stabbed by pins. Listen carefully. The Greek word translated offended is “scandalizo”. You can probably tell from the sound of that word that we get our English word “scandalize” from it. That word means being ripped up, offended and scandalized. This is exactly what JESUS foretold when HE said many will be offended.
Have you noticed how many Christians are being martyred today all over the world? Yes, I know the media does not mention it but God gets the information out! We also see young people abandoning the faith of their parents because they are scandalized and offended by the teachings of the Bible. They want to do things their way or as the world thinks it should be done.
Have you also noticed that people are also offended by anything that seems to restrict human behavior? They are scandalized that anyone would dare call them sinners and the things that they are doing is a sin. Today we even have pastors not wanting to offend members of their congregations . These Pastors work diligently to find ways to keep people in their churches without scandalizing them. Sometimes they go to extremes and actually deny God’s word because they don’t want to offend.
Remember, Bible prophecy said it would happen.
Have you listened to even comedians telling you that doing comedy in this atmosphere is very difficult because they fear that they will be cancelled because they offended someone or some group. Today advertisements trigger outrage. Yes, I realize that sometimes the public relations companies deliberately offend in an attempt to be stylish and edgy and to bring in the next new trend. Announcers calling the ballgames offend. Actors offend. Screenwriters offend. Politicians are offensive. Billionaires are offended. etcetera, etcetera.
Offending and being offended have become lifestyles. It is a lose-lose situation for us human beings because it destroys communications while it undermines friendships, family and mutual respect. Oh…… But it is win-win situation for satan, the evil one because He knows all people, yes all people are members of one group or the other. Are you the one being offended or are you offensive?
We can be separated by skin color, your sex, your faith or any one of a thousand different characteristics. So for satan-so for evil -it Is a rich playground. We are offended by everything. We are ashamed of nothing. We believe we are entitled to everything and we contribute nothing
Believe it or not, Peter says we are to earnestly desire the end of the present world. You may say, “That sounds pretty morbid!” Nevertheless, the apostle writes that we are to anticipate the dissolving of this evil age, let's take a look:
“Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?” (2 Peter 3:11-12, NKJV).
Now, this does not mean that when destruction comes we are to shout happily, “Look, it’s all burning.” No, Peter’s words here are meant to sustain us. Whenever we become discouraged in this life, we are to rejoice, saying, “It’s all going to go up in smoke anyway.” His truth also is meant to stir us up about the kind of people we are to be. When you read these words about a great fire coming and a bright, new world where righteousness will reign, do you rejoice? Perhaps, instead, you cry, “Oh, God, I believe what your Word says. I believe one day you are going to send your fire to melt down this sin-cursed world. I believe a new, holy world is coming; but I don’t believe I measure up with all holy conversation and godliness. I don’t feel I meet the standard Peter writes about, and I’m afraid I won’t make it.”
Beloved, I have glorious news for you. I can show you, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that God greatly desires to preserve you for his coming world. You need his life-giving truth in your heart to sustain you when the enemy comes against you like a flood. Here are several verses about what the Lord has pledged to do for you.
Be Blessed today and focus on the hope that Jesus gives to all...and remember the words of JESUS "...HE THAT SHALL ENDURE TO THE END, THE SAME SHALL BE SAVED...". ENDURE!
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
As we see in Matthew, the first book of the New Testament Jesus is stepping from His personal and private life into His public ministry (Matthew 4). After Jesus' water baptism He steps forward to carry out the plans for which He came into the world. To die for sin.
This is where we read what is referred to as the Sermon on the Mount. The Sermon on the Mount is found in The Gospel of Matthew, specifically chapters 5, 6 and 7. This section of the Bible contains a collection of Jesus' most famous teachings and sayings, including the Beatitudes and the Lord's Prayer, which outlines the characteristics of a life lived in God's Kingdom.
The text that we just read is found a few chapters later in Matthew 24, when Jesus is speaking these words telling His Disciples about the signs of the end times.
Jesus talked about a time of extreme persecution for anyone or any group who might consider following Jesus and He tells His disciples that many will be offended.
Have you noticed that today everyone is like a pin cushion? Everyone is easily offended. Just as if they were being stabbed by pins. Listen carefully. The Greek word translated offended is “scandalizo”. You can probably tell from the sound of that word that we get our English word “scandalize” from it. That word means being ripped up, offended and scandalized. This is exactly what JESUS foretold when HE said many will be offended.
Have you noticed how many Christians are being martyred today all over the world? Yes, I know the media does not mention it but God gets the information out! We also see young people abandoning the faith of their parents because they are scandalized and offended by the teachings of the Bible. They want to do things their way or as the world thinks it should be done.
Have you also noticed that people are also offended by anything that seems to restrict human behavior? They are scandalized that anyone would dare call them sinners and the things that they are doing is a sin. Today we even have pastors not wanting to offend members of their congregations . These Pastors work diligently to find ways to keep people in their churches without scandalizing them. Sometimes they go to extremes and actually deny God’s word because they don’t want to offend.
Remember, Bible prophecy said it would happen.
Have you listened to even comedians telling you that doing comedy in this atmosphere is very difficult because they fear that they will be cancelled because they offended someone or some group. Today advertisements trigger outrage. Yes, I realize that sometimes the public relations companies deliberately offend in an attempt to be stylish and edgy and to bring in the next new trend. Announcers calling the ballgames offend. Actors offend. Screenwriters offend. Politicians are offensive. Billionaires are offended. etcetera, etcetera.
Offending and being offended have become lifestyles. It is a lose-lose situation for us human beings because it destroys communications while it undermines friendships, family and mutual respect. Oh…… But it is win-win situation for satan, the evil one because He knows all people, yes all people are members of one group or the other. Are you the one being offended or are you offensive?
We can be separated by skin color, your sex, your faith or any one of a thousand different characteristics. So for satan-so for evil -it Is a rich playground. We are offended by everything. We are ashamed of nothing. We believe we are entitled to everything and we contribute nothing
Believe it or not, Peter says we are to earnestly desire the end of the present world. You may say, “That sounds pretty morbid!” Nevertheless, the apostle writes that we are to anticipate the dissolving of this evil age, let's take a look:
“Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?” (2 Peter 3:11-12, NKJV).
Now, this does not mean that when destruction comes we are to shout happily, “Look, it’s all burning.” No, Peter’s words here are meant to sustain us. Whenever we become discouraged in this life, we are to rejoice, saying, “It’s all going to go up in smoke anyway.” His truth also is meant to stir us up about the kind of people we are to be. When you read these words about a great fire coming and a bright, new world where righteousness will reign, do you rejoice? Perhaps, instead, you cry, “Oh, God, I believe what your Word says. I believe one day you are going to send your fire to melt down this sin-cursed world. I believe a new, holy world is coming; but I don’t believe I measure up with all holy conversation and godliness. I don’t feel I meet the standard Peter writes about, and I’m afraid I won’t make it.”
Beloved, I have glorious news for you. I can show you, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that God greatly desires to preserve you for his coming world. You need his life-giving truth in your heart to sustain you when the enemy comes against you like a flood. Here are several verses about what the Lord has pledged to do for you.
- “The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; he shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore” (Psalm 121:7-8).
- “For the Lord loves justice, and does not forsake his saints; they are preserved forever, but the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off” (Psalm 37:28).
- “You who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the souls of his saints; he delivers them out of the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 97:10).
- “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).
Be Blessed today and focus on the hope that Jesus gives to all...and remember the words of JESUS "...HE THAT SHALL ENDURE TO THE END, THE SAME SHALL BE SAVED...". ENDURE!
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