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Response
In Matthew 24:13, Jesus says, “The one who endures to the end will be saved” (KJV), or, as the NIV puts it, “The one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” This verse is a part of Jesus’ Olivet Discourse, where He explains to His disciples about future events.
Jesus informed the Twelve that the temple would be destroyed “Do you see all these things?” Jesus replied. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”, (Matthew 24:2). In response, they asked Him, “When will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (verse 3). Their question had two parts and thus required two answers. Jesus combined those answers into one lengthy discourse about the events preceding His return. Some of these prophecies were fulfilled with the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, while the rest are yet to occur.
This particular verse is best comprehended within its context. Matthew 24:9–14 states, “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time, many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 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.”
From God’s perspective beyond our timeline, the “end times” commenced with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2:16–21, Peter refers to this event as “the last days.” Considering this viewpoint, it is logical that Jesus intertwined the events of AD 70 with those yet to unfold, as they all belong to “the last days.”He then warns that, as persecution increases, many who considered themselves His followers will reveal their true spiritual condition when they turn away from the faith. This had already happened during His ministry «From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. », (John 6:66) and would escalate until the end. True Christian faith would be tested by deception, false prophets, and the increase of wickedness. Not only will there be some who turn away, but Jesus foretold that “the love of most will grow cold.” The implication is that those who “stand firm to the end” will be the minority see Matthew 7:14.
Those who endure to the end are the opposite of those in the previous verse whose love grows cold. Jesus’ statement that he who endures to the end will be saved cannot be taken to mean that our salvation is somehow dependent on our personal ability to remain saved. Rather, it is a promise of perseverance. Those who have the grace to endure to the end are the ones who are genuinely saved by grace. The various trials Jesus mentions will reveal our true colors. “Most will grow cold” and fall away from Christ, showing that they are professors only and not truly born again «And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. », (Matthew 24:12). But those who endure and stand firm in the faith, despite incitements to do otherwise, are showing that they are genuine children of God “who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” «who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. », (1 Peter 1:5, ESV, emphasis added).
We can dissect this passage even further to glean relevant truths. Those
Those who persevere to the end and are saved will remain steadfast through persecution. Matthew 24:9 warns that followers of Jesus would be “delivered over to be persecuted and killed.” From the time of the apostles to the present day, millions of Christians have faced persecution and death. This trend has intensified in recent times with global terrorism, but martyrdom has historically been prevalent in many parts of the world. The verse continues to state that Christians will “be hated by all nations because of me.” With the rise of Islam and atheism in nations that previously upheld Judeo-Christian principles, we are witnessing a greater fulfillment of this prophecy. Hatred can manifest in various forms, including the radical secularization of societies and governments that once respected traditional morality and faith. When a society actively erases any traces of God’s involvement in its history and public life, it demonstrates animosity toward Jesus.
Those who persevere to the end and are saved will remain steadfast through mockery and animosity. Matthew 24:10 mentions that as many people turn away from the faith, they will “betray and hate one another.” The proliferation of internet platforms, blogs, and social media pages has led to the polarization of opinions, resulting in hostile rants and unchristian conversations. Everyone seems to have an opinion on everything, and opinion itself has become a deity that people fiercely defend with anger. Even within the ranks of professed “Christians,” comments and editorials have taken a negative turn. Trivial issues have become divisive topics that drive a wedge between fellow believers and, regrettably, the non-believing world. Meanwhile, crucial matters that warrant division are often ignored in the name of “tolerance.” Those who do not conform to the idol of tolerance are subjected to ridicule and self-righteous animosity.
Those who persevere to the end and are saved will remain steadfast through false teachings. Matthew 24:11 further warns about the emergence of “many false prophets”…Deceiving the masses. We tend to imagine a “false prophet” as a flamboyant type, easily spotted and easily rejected. However, if this were true, then many would not be deceived by them. Instead, the false prophets are men and women with outward displays of Christianity, charismatic charm, and a way with words. They weave their heresies with Scripture, just as Satan does (see Luke 4:1-10), so that those who do not know God’s Word thoroughly are taken in by their great-sounding teachings (2 Timothy 4:3-4). We are already seeing this take place with the explosion in recent years of hyper-grace teaching and the prosperity gospel. Millions are being deceived, with Bibles in their laps, because the words of the false prophets are ego-soothing, exciting, and more desirable than Scripture’s focus upon self-sacrifice and surrender.
Those who endure to the end and are saved will stand firm even in the midst of a rampantly sinful culture. Matthew 24:12 says that “because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.” This is a cause-and-effect statement that we are seeing played out before our eyes. As culture redefines reality according to its lusts and depravity, those clinging to scriptural definitions of sin are being quickly outnumbered. As wickedness becomes more popular and socially acceptable, people without a solid biblical worldview are being swept up by its grandiose promises. They are “rethinking” and “reevaluating” the Bible’s relevance in our modern world. The definitions of gender, sexuality, and morality are being challenged, even within some segments of the church, causing those unschooled in truth to collapse beneath the weight of these “new insights.” It is no wonder that the flicker of love that may have been ignited by the Holy Spirit is squelched in favor of a new love and a new god created in the image of the culture.
When Jesus says, “The one who endures to the end will be saved” «But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. », (Matthew 24:13, ESV), He is speaking of those who are truly born again, whose lives are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. True followers of Jesus Christ will withstand the onslaught of wickedness, recognize and reject false teaching, and cling fast to the truth of God’s Word. They will overcome this world and be granted reward in the world to come «To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. », (Revelation 3:21). Those who have been sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 4:30; 2 Corinthians 1:22) have His power working in them to enable them to stand firm (Romans 14:4; Jude 1:24-25).
