Enduring Faith Amidst Tribulation and Hope

Today’s passage from Matthew 24:9-14 draws us deeper into Jesus’ Olivet Discourse, where He describes the “birth pains” that will precede His return and the end of the age. Just as labor pains increase in intensity and frequency before a child is born, so too will the world experience escalating tribulation before Christ’s coming kingdom. Jesus outlines a sequence of events: persecution of believers, widespread apostasy, the rise of false prophets, rampant lawlessness, and a chilling decline in love. Yet, in the midst of these warnings, He also offers hope—those who endure to the end will be saved, and the gospel will be proclaimed to all nations before the end comes.

Persecution will reach unprecedented levels, especially for those who come to faith during the tribulation. The Antichrist will wage war against the saints, and many will be martyred for their allegiance to Christ. This will be a time of great testing, revealing the genuineness of faith. Some who once identified with Christ will fall away, betraying and even hating one another, as the cost of discipleship becomes too high for those whose faith was never real. The rise of false prophets, empowered by Satan, will further deceive many, performing signs and wonders that lead people astray in a world desperate for answers.

Lawlessness will increase as the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit is removed, culminating in a global rebellion against God. The Antichrist will embody this lawlessness, exalting himself and demanding worship. As evil multiplies, the love of many will grow cold—compassion and care for others will be extinguished in the chaos. Yet, Jesus assures that those who truly belong to Him will endure, not by their own strength, but as evidence of the Spirit’s sealing and preserving work.

Amidst the darkness, the gospel will shine. God will ensure that the good news of the kingdom is proclaimed to every nation, even through supernatural means if necessary. This is both a warning and an invitation: judgment is coming, but salvation is offered to all who repent and trust in Christ. For those in Christ, these truths are not meant to induce fear, but to stir hope and urgency—to live in light of His return and to warn others to flee the coming wrath by embracing the Savior.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Persecution Reveals Genuine Faith The coming tribulation will expose the true nature of faith. While persecution has always been a reality for believers, the intensity described here will sift those who merely profess Christ from those who truly possess Him. Endurance in the face of suffering is not the means of salvation, but the evidence of a heart transformed and sealed by the Spirit. [35:15]
• 2. Apostasy and Betrayal: The High Cost of Discipleship As the world grows hostile to Christ, many who once identified with Him will fall away, even betraying fellow believers. This sobering reality calls us to examine our own hearts—are we following Christ for comfort, or are we willing to lose everything for His sake? True discipleship means dying to self and holding fast to Christ, even when it costs us dearly. [43:15]
• 3. The Deceptive Power of False Prophets The rise of false prophets, empowered by demonic forces, will lead many astray through persuasive teaching and counterfeit miracles. In times of chaos, people are especially vulnerable to deception. We must be anchored in the truth of God’s Word, discerning the difference between what merely sounds spiritual and what is truly of God. [46:03]
• 4. Lawlessness and the Cooling of Love As lawlessness increases, the love of many will grow cold—compassion and care for others will be extinguished in the face of rampant evil. This is a warning not only about the future, but about the dangers of allowing our own hearts to become hardened by the world’s rebellion. We are called to cultivate love and faithfulness, even as darkness deepens around us. [54:06]
• 5. Hope in Endurance and the Global Proclamation of the Gospel Despite the darkness, God’s purposes will not be thwarted. Those who endure to the end will be saved—not by their own strength, but as a testimony to the Spirit’s preserving work. The gospel will reach every nation, offering salvation to all who repent. This hope should stir us to urgency: to live in light of Christ’s return and to share the good news with those who have yet to believe. [57:14]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:30] - Announcements and Ministry Updates
• [05:10] - Introduction to Matthew 24 and the Olivet Discourse
• [09:45] - Recap: Birth Pains and Tribulation Overview
• [13:20] - Reading Matthew 24:9-14
• [15:00] - Persecution of Believers and the Antichrist
• [19:30] - The Great Tribulation and Martyrdom
• [23:00] - Apostasy and Betrayal Among Believers
• [27:00] - Rise of False Prophets and Deception
• [31:00] - Lawlessness and the Cooling of Love
• [35:00] - The Endurance of the Saints
• [39:00] - The Global Proclamation of the Gospel
• [43:00] - Application: Living in Light of Christ’s Return
• [48:00] - Urgency to Share the Gospel
• [51:00] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Reading

Matthew 24:9-14 (ESV) — > 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Jesus in Matthew 24:9-14, what are some of the specific signs or “birth pains” that will happen before His return?
2. What does Jesus say will happen to the love of many people as lawlessness increases? (v.12)
3. In verse 13, what does Jesus say about those who endure to the end?
4. According to the sermon, who are the “tribulation saints” and what will they experience during this time? [[36:39]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Jesus compare the events before His return to “birth pains”? What does this image communicate about the nature and progression of these events? [[31:06]]
2. The sermon says that persecution will reveal the genuineness of faith. Why do times of suffering and pressure expose what is truly in someone’s heart? [[35:15]]
3. What does it mean that “the love of many will grow cold”? How might lawlessness in society affect the way people treat each other, even among believers? [[54:06]]
4. The passage says the gospel will be proclaimed to all nations before the end comes. Why is this global proclamation important, and what does it show about God’s heart? [[57:14]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon warns that persecution and hardship will sift those who only “profess” Christ from those who truly “possess” Him. How can you examine your own heart to see if your faith is genuine? What are some signs of real faith in your life? [[35:15]]
2. Jesus says that many will fall away and even betray one another when following Him becomes costly. Are there areas in your life where you are tempted to compromise your faith for comfort or acceptance? What would it look like to “hold fast” to Christ even when it’s hard? [[43:15]]
3. The rise of false prophets and deception is a warning to be anchored in God’s Word. What are some practical ways you can grow in discernment and avoid being led astray by teachings that “sound spiritual” but aren’t biblical? [[46:03]]
4. As lawlessness increases, the love of many will grow cold. Have you noticed your own compassion or care for others growing weaker because of the world’s darkness or disappointments? What is one way you can intentionally cultivate love and faithfulness this week? [[54:06]]
5. The hope of endurance is not about our own strength, but the Spirit’s preserving work. When you face trials or discouragement, how can you remind yourself of God’s promise to keep you? Is there a verse or truth you can hold onto? [[55:11]]
6. The gospel will be proclaimed to all nations before the end. Who in your life needs to hear the good news? What is one step you can take this week to share Christ with them, whether through prayer, conversation, or invitation? [[57:14]]
7. The sermon encourages us to live with urgency and hope because of Christ’s return. How does thinking about Jesus’ return affect your daily choices, priorities, or relationships? Is there anything you would do differently if you really believed He could come back at any time? [[01:09:05]]