Passage Read: Matthew 23-24
Meditation Verses: 24:9-13
Thought
Times are coming when everyone will hate those who call themselves Christian, followers of Christ. And they won't just hate us, they will attack and torment us. It won't be just followers of other religions that hate us, but everyone, even our own family members will betray us to torment and death. No wonder Jesus says that some will turn away from the faith. They'll want to save their own lives—and give up eternal life in return. There will be false prophets and teachers who arise, who exchange the truth of God for lies, in order to make Christ's teachings more palatable to unbelievers, so as not to be hated by them. They will draw away many believers. Former believers will betray those who remain true to Christ. It's no wonder Jesus says the love of many will grow cold. Christians hated by everyone, even family and former friends. How discouraging! How depressing! It will seem like Christianity is powerless and meaningless and dangerous. Better not to be a target, not to stand out, not to be too Christian. Better to keep our faith to ourselves and not provoke the unbelievers around us or be known as believers by anyone. It will even seem better to abandon the truth like all the other former believers. But that is the test, to sort the wheat from the chaff. Those who stand firm to the end will be saved; those who choose to back off and save their lives here will be lost. There is no way around it; the only way is to hold fast to the truth, which requires living in such a way that cannot be hidden.
Application
Knowing what is coming is good, though still disheartening. I need to be prepared for the hostility that is coming. I need to stand up for the truth, not shrink back to keep my life safe and comfortable. If I won't stand up now, when the hostility is still so mild, why would I think I'll stand firm when things get really bad? Jesus is coming, and those who endure to the end will be welcomed into His eternal kingdom, and all these former troubles will be forgotten. I need to hold fast in faith that the reward is worth the suffering, and I will indeed share in it if I endure to the end. Other believers may fall away. False Christian leaders, teachers and influencers may argue against the plain meaning of Scripture. None of that should matter to me, except to grieve me for their loss and the stumbling block they become to others. Yes, they'll make my work harder, but God remains true and still saves despite the folly of man.