MATTHEW 24:1-14
confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not
that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof
ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world”
(1 Jn.4:1-3).
Thought 1. The genuine believer knows how to pray and commune with God. He knows how to receive strength
from God, to conquer and live above the most difficult circumstances (Ph.4:4, 6-7, 11-14, 19. Cp. 1 Cor.10:13; Acts
16:25f.)
Thought 2. Discouragement is a terrible thing. It defeats life. However, there is one sure way to live above discou-
ragement: learn to live and walk in an unbroken communion with God every day. Study His Word and pray without
ceasing, learning and claiming His promises (Is.26:3; Ph.4:6-9).
8
(24:12) Apostasy: the seventh sign is a great falling away. Sin shall increase and love shall grow cold.
1. “Iniquity shall abound.” Lawlessness [sin and wickedness] is always present, but there are times when it seems to
multiply and overflow (see note—Iniquity—Mt.24:12). It ran rampant in the last days of Jerusalem as the quotations from
Josephus clearly show. It shall also run wild in the last days of world history (2 Tim.3:1-5; 2 Th.2:1-12).
2. “The love of many shall grow cold.” At least four things can dampen one’s love for God. Each of these shall be
greatly intensified toward the end of the world.
a. Self-seeking and worldliness. Men will seek what they want and what the world offers instead of sacrificing
and serving. They just choose to satisfy their own desires and worldly urges instead of seeking diligently after
God.
b. Dissension and division. Both discourage, dishearten, and cause confusion and the desire to flee. Many just
cool off and back away, desiring to have no part of anything that is divisive. Even if the truth is under attack,
some will withdraw rather than take a stand for the truth.
c. Persecution. Unless a person truly believes and trusts in Christ, whatever affection he has is soon dampened
when he is questioned and opposed. Only a real belief and conviction will stand up under ridicule and the threat
of death.
d. Ignorance and weak faith. Some go through a dampening of spirit and affection simply because they cannot un-
derstand why God would let such trials happen. There is no true understanding of man’s sin and death, of the
world’s corruption and destined end, of God’s righteousness and promise of life. Therefore, there is little within
to stir a fervent love for God when things are going bad and the world seems to be caving in.
e. Lawlessness and immorality. Being around a crowd that lives lawless and immoral lives causes many to lose
their love for Christ and turn away.
Christ warns the believer who lets his love grow cold.
“Because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth”
(Rev.3:16).
DEEPER STUDY # 6
(24:12) Iniquity (anomia): lawlessness, wickedness, unrighteousness; transgression of the law. It is taking license with the
law and righteousness, with morality and discipline.
DEEPER STUDY # 7
(24:12) Abound (plethunthenai): to increase, to multiply, to abound.
9
(24:13) Endurance—Salvation: the eighth sign is that of some’s enduring and being saved. It must be remembered
Christ is talking to His disciples. His promise, “Being saved,” is bound to mean the soul’s salvation in the last days. It
could not mean the safety of human life. He had already said some shall be killed (v.9). Thus, the believer who stands firm
through persecution and hatred, betrayal and division, false teaching and deception, lawlessness and immorality, and keeps
fervent love shall be saved.
“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into
prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and
I will give thee a crown of life” (Rev.2:10).
“To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality,
[they shall receive] eternal life....But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but
obey unrighteousness, [they shall receive] indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish” (Ro.2:7-9).
Thought 1. The believer can find great encouragement to endure in such passages as the following. (Scan quickly
some of the books that deal heavily with suffering, such as First Peter.)
“For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to
suffer for his sake” (Ph.1:29).
10
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53