MATTHEW 24:1-14
There is evidently to be terrible famine in the last days. The black horse of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse
indicates terrible famine (Rev.6:5-6). The unbearable pain and terrible evil that hunger can cause is graphically de-
scribed by Scripture.
“They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger: for these pine
away, stricken through for want of the fruits of the field. The hands of the pitiful women have sod-
den [boiled] their own children: they were their meat [food] in the destruction of the daughter of my
people” (Lam.4:9-10).
2. Pestilence. Whereas the rich can sometimes escape famine by purchasing food at any price, they are helpless against
pestilences or plagues. Death by disease and other natural causes shows no partiality.
Josephus’ record of a great pestilence that struck during the days of Herod is evidence of the fact.
“When he [Herod] was in the way, there arose a pestilential disease, and carried off the greatest part
of the multitude, and of his best and most esteemed friends [the wealthy]” (Josephus, Ant. 15. 7:7).
Pestilence will also be one of the terrible sufferings at the end time. Part of the suffering caused by the pale horse of the
four horsemen of the Apocalypse includes pestilences.
“Power was given unto them (Death and Hell) over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with
sword [war], and with hunger [famine],and with death [pestilence resulting from war and famine]”
(see note—Rev.6:8).
3. Earthquakes. Unbelievable destruction and death are sometimes caused by earthquakes. Again, Josephus recorded
the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy. He even hinted that the natural disasters which happened were a sign of coming destruc-
tion.
“...there broke out a prodigious storm in the night, with the utmost violence, and very strong winds, with
the largest showers of rain, and continual lightnings, terrible thunderings, and amazing concussions and bel-
lowings of the earth, that was in an earthquake. These things were a manifest indication that some destruction
was coming upon men, when the system of the world was put into this disorder; and any one would guess that
these wonders foreshowed some grand calamities that were coming” (Josephus, Wars. 4. 4:5).
Earthquakes will occur in many places during the last days of the earth (Rev.6:12; 11:12-13, 19; 16:17-19).
DEEPER STUDY # 5
(24:8) Sorrows (odinon): birth-pains; labor-pains; travailings; intolerable anguish. Quick, sharp, violent travailing pain.
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(24:9) Persecution: the fourth sign of the end time is that of severe religious persecution. Christ says two things.
1. What the persecution will be:
a. Affliction (Acts 4:3; 8:1; 12:4; 13:50; 14:19; 2 Cor.11:23-25).
b. Killing (Acts 7:59; 12:2).
c. Hatred by all nations.
“Concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against” (Acts 28:22). (See
outline and notes—Mt.10:16-23. Cp. Jn.15:20; 16:2.)
2. Why believers are persecuted: “For my sake” (cp. Mt.10:22). “For my sake” means at least three things. Or to say it
another way, there are at least three reasons why the world often tries to silence and stamp out the believer.
a. The world opposes the believer’s standard of true godliness. The believer sets before the world a different stan-
dard. Neither the world nor its standard are godly. Therefore, any man who lives for the world and does not
wish to change his behavior opposes believers. He opposes believers by his very nature (1 Jn.2:14-15).
b. The world opposes the believer’s life of purity and justice. The genuine believer lives such a life. He controls
his mind, dresses modestly, converses respectfully, and behaves justly. The world lives to fulfill the lust of the
flesh and to have what one wishes. Thus, the believer is opposed by any person who does not wish to live a
pure and just life (Gal.5:19-21).
c. The world opposes the believer’s message of repentance and self-denial. The genuine believer proclaims the
message of Christ which is repentance and self-denial. Few men are willing to change (repent) to the degree
that self is totally denied. Most, even the religious, oppose the idea of giving all one is and has, even if it does
mean saving a starving and dying world.
Note the words “hated of all nations.” This definitely points to persecution all around the world. Christ is again looking
well beyond the last days before Jerusalem’s fall. He is looking to the persecution that shall be launched against His follow-
ers across the centuries and be intensified in the end time. He had even foretold such persecution before.
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