By David J. Stewart
Matthew 24:13 clearly speaks of the 7-year
Tribulation Period and does NOT refer to a believer's salvation in any way. Carefully read
Matthew 24:7-13...
"For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
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.
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
Carefully notice the conjunction "but" at the beginning of verse 13. That means we must look at the preceding verse because it is part of the meaning of verse 13. Also, look at the conjunction "and" at the beginning of verse 12, and the conjunction "and" at the beginning of verse 11, and the conjunction "and" at the beginning of verse 10, and the word "then" at the beginning of verse 9. All these words indicate that we must look to the preceding verses to find the CONTEXT of this Scripture passage. Finally, we find the context in Matthew 24:7,8... "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows." This is the context in which Jesus spoke Matthew 24:13 concerning enduring unto the end, i.e., those who escape the woeful hardships of the Tribulation Period.
Matthew 24:22 sheds further light on what the word "endure" really means in Matthew 24:13... "And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." You see, clearly the Bible is talking about the saving of FLESH and even says so, "...And except those days should be shortened, there should no FLESH BE SAVED." This is what Matthew 24:13 refers to.
The correct way to interpret the Bible is to compare, i.e., cross-reference, Scripture with Scripture. To claim that "endure" applies to salvation in Matthew 24:13 does NOT agree with Romans 4:5, i.e., a man's faith is COUNTED for righteousness. This is the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ (2nd Corinthians 5:21).
I tell you, the very moment that the vilest person comes as a guilty sinner, believing upon the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness, his salvation is complete as far as Heaven is concerned. Growing in grace is an entirely different matter, which has no affect on one's salvation. God promises eternal life to anyone who comes as a guilty sinner and believes on the name of Jesus as the Christ for forgiveness... "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins."
