Read Matthew 24:9-13
Is Following Jesus Really Worth It?
This passage correlates with Revelation 6:9-11.
Earlier in chapter 24 Jesus mentioned some of the signs that will occur before his second coming. In verse 8 he basically said the horrible signs you see are going to get worse. Starting with verse 9 he mentions how:
1. The enemies of the Lord will deliver Christians to “tribulation” meaning all kinds of persecution, affliction, and even torture. The end goal will be to kill the Christians but not necessarily a quick death.
2. Christians will be hated by all nations. Satan’s deception won’t be just to a small group but there will be a worldwide deception that will grow, thus giving Christians little places to hide.
3. As a result, many will fall away from the faith and will even deliver up one another before the authorities.
4. Hate and Lawlessness will greatly increase.
5. Vs 13 “But the one who endures to the end shall be saved.”
When I hear all this, I am reminded of my teenage years when me and my friend had a saying we used when doing a difficult task: “This will separate the men from the boys.” When I read these signs of the end times, I feel the hardships will be so bad it will separate those with enduring faith from those with a short-lived faith.
The hardships are going to make one doubt if following Jesus is really worth it. The hardships are going to cause people to turn in those of the faith. The desire to survive will be so great that one will turn against others and be greatly self-focused.
If today we faced all these hardships mentioned, would we stay faithful to the Lord to the end? Here’s another question, how do we handle hardships now which won’t compare to that which is to come? With the hardships we face today, do we find ourselves ready to abandon our faith? Do we envy the non-believers because it appears they are “enjoying” life? Is it tempting to break from faith and follow the path of a “better life” which actually leads to destruction? Is endurance and perseverance hard now? What we face today is just a taste of what is yet to come.
Will the Lord find us faithful? I often pray that God will give me Grace during persecution and hardships. To empower me so I am able to face any opposition or persecution. I know I won’t be able to do it on my own.
