HE WHO ENDURES TO THE END SHALL BE SAVED
Matt 24:9-13
9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. NKJV
Beloved from the events that are happening today in our world it is obvious we are at the very last of the last days that Jesus talk about. We are about to witness greater evil acts and the tribulations that Jesus talk about. However, Jesus promised us of God’s protections, he promised us God’s preservation and he promised us God’s provisions during these periods; many of us will agree that God has been faithful to His promises hallelujah! To crown everything up He also gave us the only strategy that will see us triumphant and victorious in the end. Just one strategy and what is that strategy? Matt 24:13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. The bible says those who endure and are patient will inherit the promise of eternal life. God did not say you will not pass through, God did not say you will not be attacked, God did not say you will not be lied against, God did not say that they will not come against you. But what God had said is that surely they shall surely gather against you but if they gather against you then they will surely scatter as the scriptures has said in Isa 54:15. Therefore, what God is saying is that even in hard times, He will protect, preserve and provide for us no matter what. God is with us and will always make a way for us in the end, remember what we are shooting for is eternal life, not a 100-meter race. Christianity is a marathon that has only one goal- eternal life in heaven. You will not miss it.
Heb 6:11-13. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. NKJV. It says let us imitate those who inherit the promise through faith and patience. If we fast-forward to Hebrew chapter 11, which speaks of the heroes of faith who were subjected to all manners of trials and tribulations, some were killed with the sword, some were hacked with axes, others were sawed through with a saw. Some believers lived in caves and hid in mountains to run away from their enemies. Many passed through fire all for the sake of gaining eternal life. The scriptures we just read above gives us the key to inheriting the promises of God in times like this. Our winning strategy is through faith and patience. This means that in the face of all challenges and hardship to come, we must keep believing in the promises of God for our lives per time and develop patience like Abraham and Sarah who waited on God until the promises of God for their lives happened. This is the plan of God for our lives
1 Cor 9:24-27. 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. NKJV. The present hardship is making many to give up the hope of eternal life, many are turning back to the world and some already compromised. When the real heat and tribulation starts many might fall away. Beloved, you must understand that our Christian race is not a 100 meters dash nor a 400 meters relay, that you just take off and the next 10 or 15 seconds you are through, no, it is a special marathon that does not have an end date and time. We must keep running until the umpire or judge say we should stop. In such a race, we must intentionally purpose and develop vision of our victory ahead, endurance for the hardship ahead, and stamina to carry us to the finish line. You will cross the finishing line to receive your crown IJN. Luke 21:16-19. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19 By your patience possess your souls. NKJV. Our coach and master has pre-warned us beforehand of what will take place. Therefore, we must not be ignorant of all that will happen in the coming days ahead. Rather, we must resolve, purpose and conclude that we will get to the finish line on that day by running this race by His instructions and His rules, which is the word of God. If we run by his instructions, we will not miss our crown at the end of the race. Beloved, it is the athlete who finished the race on time that gets the medal. Remember Jesus said it is he who endures to the end that will be saved. Rev 12:11-12 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Remember you are an overcomer; you are more than a conqueror. I see you cross the finishing line and receiving your crown.
