Be Warned

Be Warned

Matthew 24:4-14, NLT

Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, 5for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. 6And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. 7Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. 8But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. 9Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. 10And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. 11And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. 12Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. 13But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.”

Setting the Scene

The disciples asked about a sign that would signal when these events would occur. Jesus answered by first warning them about false messiahs. Then he warned them about “wars and threats of wars,” famines, earthquakes, other human-caused and natural disasters, and rampant sin. He also told them to expect to be “arrested, persecuted, and killed . . . hated all over the world,” simply because they were his followers. With these dire predictions, however, Jesus also offered hope, describing the troubles as “birth pains”—that is, these events would signal that the Kingdom was near and that God would prevail.

The disciples probably assumed this end-of-the-age destruction would occur in the not-too-distant future. But much more had to happen first. The disciples may also have assumed that Jesus, the Messiah, would triumph and usher in this Kingdom in their lifetimes. So his words about persecution and death would have been jarring, even though he had warned them previously (see, for example, Matthew 5:11-12).

Not only would the disciples face hatred from religious and civil leaders and their own families, they would be “hated all over the world.” The fear and persecution will be so intense that people will betray and hate in order to keep themselves safe. Then, because of the persecution and because of “false prophets,” many who claim to follow Christ will abandon their profession of faith.

Getting Personal

At what time in your Christian experience did you believe that your life should be problem free? What brought you back to reality?

How do Jesus’ warnings help you plan? In what ways do his words encourage you and give you hope?

Twenty centuries later, we have experienced the events predicted by Jesus—a world torn by disasters, false messiahs and their followers, and true Christ-followers marginalized and punished for their faith. As believers, we should not be shocked or surprised that the world hates us. Christians aren’t immune from pain, conflicts, and troubles; in fact, we often get more simply because we follow Christ. But we follow him because he is the Truth and the only way to life.

Talking to God

Acknowledge the Lord’s warnings in your prayer time today. Ask God to help you be strong and steadfast during times of difficulty, remembering that he is with you—and that he alone has eternal life.