Gospel of Matthew Chapter 24 Vs. 9

 Signs of the End of the Age

Matthew 24:9 “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.”

Then shall they... Then—during birth pangs of Israel.

This is a technical word, in this context, used for delivering a prisoner for punishment. Persecution of believers has often been the official policy of governments. Such persecutions give opportunity for testifying to the truth of the gospel (John 16:1-4; 2Tim. 4:16).

The account of this in Luke adds before all these things. We do know that many of the disciples were delivered up and were martyred for the cause of Christianity. I believe that this Scripture covers Christians and Jews. Jews, even in recent years, have been persecuted and martyred.

Hitler killed about 1/6 of the Jewish people in World War II. We hear of religious atrocities in Russia today. Many are feeling the hand of persecution. I believe it goes even farther than the physical death of those who stand for true Christianity.

In our society today, if a person truly loves God and tries to do something to further the kingdom, he is labeled as a fanatic.

Our nation, which is classified as a Christian nation, (and certainly did start out as a Christian nation), is hated around the world. The blessings from God have been on the United States, because of the stand we have taken toward Christianity. However, now that so many false religions have entered, it seems that the blessings from God are being lifted.

After World War II, many Far East religions crept into the country. Eastern mysticism is even infiltrating the main line Protestants churches. Mind control is being practiced and called faith. We see a watered down Christianity that is without power.

(2Tim. 3:5), calls it: Having a form of Godliness, but denying the power thereof.

Even inside the church world there is bickering, fighting, and back biting. The message of Christianity has been so watered down, that our ancestors would not even recognize our services as having church. Even in our own ranks, some of the new messages have removed the deity of Christ.

If you take a stand against these false teachings, then you are classified as being disturbed. If you truly love Jesus, it is time to be disturbed. You can see, with no problem, that surely this part of the prophecy has been fulfilled, as well. This is the case in the next verses.

ye shall be... Jews hated by the Gentiles.

(Mar. 13:9-13; Luke 21:12-19) Jesus began His words (Mat. 24:9) with a time word, Then. At the middle point of the seven-year period preceding Christ’s second coming, great distress will begin to be experienced by Israel. The Antichrist, who will have risen to power in the world and will have made a protective treaty with Israel, will break his agreement at that time (Dan. 9:27). He will bring great persecution on Israel (Dan. 7:25) and even establish his own center of worship in the temple in Jerusalem (2Thes. 2:3-4). This will result in the death of many Jews (Mat. 24:9) and many people departing from the faith.