24:9Matthew 24:9

Spoken on Olivet in answer about Jerusalem's fall and the end of the world, the warning looks both to the first disciples and to believers down to the final redemption.Ms 77, 1899, par. 4–5+2 After wars, famines, pestilences and earthquakes as only the beginning of sorrows, Christ's followers would be handed over to suffering, put to death and hated by all nations because they belong to Him and stay loyal to Him.Ms 62, 1903, par. 13+4 That hostility fell on the early church under pagan powers and under Nero, continued under papal persecution and through the Reformation, yet it purified the church and helped spread the truth.GC 393.2–394.1+4 The same prediction is fulfilling now and will be fulfilled again when authorities restrict religious liberty and force conscience, especially in the final conflict over God's law and Sabbath-keeping before the time of trouble.Ms 62, 1903, par. 9–12+4 Therefore believers are called not to seek the secret time but to take heed, watch and pray, endure to the end, and carry the gospel of the kingdom to all the world before the end comes.Ms 62, 1903, par. 13+3

Jesus gave this warning in answer to the disciples' question about when Jerusalem would be destroyed and what would be the sign of His coming and the end of the world.Ms 87, 1897, par. 1–3 He interwove the destruction of Jerusalem with the still greater final destruction of the world, so that Jerusalem's fall stands as a type of the world's final destruction by fire.Ms 77, 1899, par. 4–5+1 What He foretold about events preceding the coming of the Son of man was therefore spoken to the first disciples about what they would meet at the hands of their fellow men, and it stands also as a warning to His followers afterward.Ms 77, 1899, par. 4–5+1

In its order, nation rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom, with famines, pestilences, earthquakes in different places, and wars and rumors of wars, are only the beginning of sorrows.Ms 62, 1903, par. 13+1 Then His followers will be handed over to affliction and killed and hated by all nations because they bear His name.Ms 62, 1903, par. 13+1 After this come many being offended and betraying and hating one another, false prophets deceiving many, and love growing cold because iniquity abounds.Ms 153, 1905, par. 1–4 This sequence belongs to Christ's plain description of conditions in the world in the last days and to His warning that the time of trouble comes as a thief in the night, calling for endurance to the end in order to be saved and for the gospel of the kingdom to be preached in all the world before the end comes.Ms 62, 1903, par. 13+1

It is part of the Lord's great prophecy covering the whole Christian dispensation and concerning the church's warfare and sufferings as it passes toward its promised redemption and final redemption.GC88 bC.1+1 It was spoken from the crest of Olivet looking down the stream of time to the last days.Ms 8, 1898, par. 2+1 There Christ saw the actions of both saints and sinners in the last days and shed tears and grieved over them, especially over those who would scorn God's people and dismiss their earnest witness as fanaticism or enthusiasm.Ms 8, 1898, par. 2+1 When God's people lift their voice in earnestness and strength and are met for Christ's sake with hatred and scornful whispers of fanaticism and enthusiasm, His servants in that opposition are commanded not to be afraid but to say Behold your God.Ms 8, 1898, par. 2

From His removal until His return His followers are delivered up to affliction, killed and hated by all nations for His name's sake because they belong to Him and are loyal to Him.Lt 66, 1897, par. 3–4+3 They share their Master's path of humiliation, reproach and suffering, with the world's hostility toward Jesus directed against those who believe in Him.GC 39.1+1 Persecuting His servants for their witness is abuse of Christ Himself, since they speak for Him and acknowledge Him as God's Son.Ms 78, 1897, par. 38–39

That affliction included betrayal by parents, children, family members and friends, arrest before the Jewish authorities and Sanhedrin, and death sentences.Ms 78, 1897, par. 38–39+2 Stephen, James, Paul, Peter and other Christians were killed, and Saul persecuted believers before his conversion and afterward was whipped and imprisoned with Silas for preaching Christ.Ms 78, 1897, par. 38–39+2

Their arrest, trial and imprisonment gave the Jewish people through them a last opportunity to repent.DA 629.1–630.1+1 Their judges sentenced men of whom the world was not worthy to death, and by killing them crucified the Son of God afresh.DA 629.1–630.1+1 Every such persecution forces those who witness it to decide either for Christ or against Him, with sympathy for the unjustly condemned showing attachment to Him.DA 629.1–630.1+1

The rejection and killing of Jesus in Jerusalem foreshadows the world's future rejection of Christ, continued in persecution of His followers.Ms 40, 1897, par. 19–22+1 The rejection of Christ and choice of Barabbas shows what people do when God's Spirit no longer restrains them.RH Jan 30, 1900 In that future rejection the religious world will side with Satan and reject the message concerning God's commandments and the faith of Jesus.Ms 40, 1897, par. 19–22

Many will be driven from homes and brought to poverty, many distressed through disease and privation, and many cast into prison.DA 637.1–2 To all who forsake friends or home for His sake He promised in this life a hundredfold.DA 637.1–2 Christ identifies Himself with all who suffer for His name, so followers are to recognize Him in them and minister to them as to Him, with special blessing to all who do, as evidence they are His disciples.DA 637.1–2

The verse was fulfilled after Christ was taken away and until His return, when the hostility shown to Him was turned against all who believed in Him, bringing them humiliation, reproach, suffering and death for His name.4SP 39.1+1 Under pagan powers Christians were stripped of their possessions, driven from their homes, hunted into hiding, imprisoned, tortured and killed for their faith.4SP 39.1+1 People of every social class and every level of learning were among those slain.GC 39.2

It was illustrated under Nero, when Christians were hated by the authorities because of loyalty to Christ.RH Dec 28, 1911 Thousands of men, women and children were then cruelly put to death.RH Dec 28, 1911 Paul escaped that persecution because he had left Rome after his release.RH Dec 28, 1911

It was done again when popes and priests, acting for Satan, exalted themselves and stirred the people to bitter persecution to destroy all who would not yield to delusion.EW 185.2 Followers of Christ endured great suffering and agony by the rack, the stake, and every torture Satan and evil angels could invent, while Satan boasted that every true Christian would be killed so that none would be left on earth.EW 185.2 This deadly hatred kept the church of God pure, because no person with a corrupt heart dared declare true faith when doing so brought torture and death.EW 185.2

The verse belongs to Christ's outline of the history of the world and the church between His first and second advents, which includes great tribulation under pagan and papal persecution, alongside the destruction of Jerusalem, signs in the heavens, and His coming in His kingdom.GC 393.2–394.1+1 During the Reformation its warning of persecution and death for faith was seen again, when teachers of truth fled persecution and preached wherever they could while thousands of believers were killed.4SP 155.2–3 That persecution did not stop the work but helped the truth spread.4SP 155.2–3

The prediction is fulfilling in the present time and fast fulfilling as a sign that Christ's coming is at hand.Ms 62, 1903, par. 9–12+2 The present is the last days and the end of all things is at hand, marking the last conflict and the times just before His coming, with stormy times ahead.9T 167.1+2 Those signs are so common that they are scarcely considered, yet they give no ground for unbelief or discouragement.9T 167.1+2 The surrounding discourse in Matthew 24:3-14 outlines earth's closing history, and those events are rapidly being fulfilled.Ms 51, 1899, par. 7–9+1 It connects the end-time setting with the final warning before the Son of man appears, without explaining the persecution prediction in detail.Ms 51, 1899, par. 7–9+1

The verse will be fulfilled again when authorities make laws to restrict religious liberty, assume the right that is God's alone, and think to force the conscience which God alone should control.DA 629.1–630.1 That enforcement will continue until God interposes in behalf of His loyal, commandment-keeping people.DA 629.1–630.1 At the commencement of the time of trouble, Sabbath-keepers filled with the Holy Ghost will proclaim the Sabbath more fully.EW 27.1 This enrages the churches and nominal Adventists because they cannot refute the Sabbath truth, while God's chosen see clearly that they have the truth, come out, and endure the persecution with them.EW 27.1

Amid sword, famine, pestilence and great confusion in the land, the wicked will think the saints have brought the judgments upon them and will rise up and take counsel to rid the earth of them, thinking that then the evil will be stayed.EW 27.1 In the time of peril attending the closing work of the third angel's message, when the decisive question of God as supreme Governor and His law as the rule of government is brought before all nations, tongues and peoples, persecution will test professed believers.Ms 15, 1888, par. 13–16 Many who claim to believe the truth will change their opinions and take the side of the transgressors in order to escape persecution, because they are not established by digging present truth out for themselves, while everyone who remains faithful and true to the end will greatly humble the heart before God.Ms 15, 1888, par. 13–16

In the approaching crisis followers will be opposed and may be called to testify for the truth before councils and courts, even alone.5T 463.2 Some former fellow believers will abandon the faith and turn against them to oppress and malign them, and believers are to prepare faithfully before persecution comes so they are not burdened by remorse over neglected opportunities.5T 463.2 Persecution will scatter God's people among many countries, where all-round education will help them keep spreading the truth wherever they go.Ms 57, 1908, par. 7–8 When God's people lift their voice in earnestness and strength they are met with hatred and scornful whispers of fanaticism and enthusiasm for Christ's sake, spoken from Olivet looking down the stream of time to the last days, and in that opposition God's servants are commanded not to be afraid but to say Behold your God.Ms 8, 1898, par. 2 Efforts by lawmakers to exalt Sunday are placed among the signs of the times, but are not directly explained as the specific persecution of being handed over to suffering and death and hated among nations for loyalty to Him.21MR 324.1

The prophecies of Matthew 24 are the sure word of prophecy and the foundation of faith, to be studied and brought to the attention of all.Ms 62, 1903, par. 9–12+1 They are to be presented by ministers and teachers above matters of lesser consequence, together with the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation and with Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.Ms 62, 1903, par. 9–12+1 They are not of minor consequence but truth deciding eternal destiny.Ms 62, 1903, par. 9–12+1 Their prediction of affliction, killing, and hatred for Christ's name is fulfilling in the present time and being fulfilled today, showing Christ's coming is at hand and calling the church to arouse as it sees unmistakable fulfilment.Ms 62, 1903, par. 9–12+1

The verse is part of Christ's solemn words of warning to His disciples which God's people must heed, given to instruct later believers and help them prepare for the great conflict.Ms 1, 1906, par. 1–6+1 It belongs to His teaching about events and signs that precede the revelation of the Son of man and herald His second coming, foretelling deceptions, wars, famines, pestilences and earthquakes as the beginning of sorrows before the end comes.Ms 1, 1906, par. 1–6+2 The warning is given not to satisfy curiosity about the secret time of His coming but to call for preparation for that great event by taking heed to His words, performing individual duty faithfully, giving His warnings to others, and watching and praying always to be counted worthy to escape these things and to stand before the Son of man and to meet Him.Ms 1, 1906, par. 1–6+1 Faithful watchmen are to follow these prophecies attentively, and those who watch will recognize events taking place in the world and will not be surprised and unready when that day comes unawares as a snare.Ms 1, 1906, par. 1–6+1

The chapter outlines what is to come upon the world, describing the perils of the last days now present, and amid those dangers those perishing in sin must be warned.Lt 90, 1902, par. 5–9+1 Calamities and judgments will come upon cities whose people reject God's warnings and dishonor Him, and the chapter is applied as warning that the end is near and the world must be warned.21MR 79.9–80.3 This requires Christians to give their means for the advancement of gospel work and the last message of mercy instead of spending in self-gratification, in order to gain eternal life.Lt 90, 1902, par. 5–9 These clearly pointed-out signs of His second coming call God's householders to prepare the way for His advent by helping in every possible way those for whom He gave His life.Ms 88, 1898, par. 27–28

Its fulfilment shows signs of the times now fulfilling, with tremendous issues immediately ahead and no time to lose.21MR 444.3–5 Therefore the people of the world need to be enlightened, and books containing the light of present truth — Daniel and Revelation, The Great Controversy, Patriarchs and Prophets, The Desire of Ages, and Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation — should now go to the world in many different languages.21MR 444.3–5 The third angel's message is to be proclaimed with a loud voice.21MR 444.3–5 The warning message is to be carried to all parts of the world by humble, faithful colporteur-evangelists prepared to do medical missionary work, helping the sick and suffering so that many will hear and accept the words of life and many healed by the prayer of faith will rise to advocate health reform principles.21MR 444.3–5

God's commandment-keeping people must be sharp, discerning, and spiritually sharp-minded, refusing to make worldly policy their policy or principle.Ms 170, 1897, par. 14–16 Converted hearts are brought into perfect harmony with God's will expressed in the Ten Commandments, giving spiritual life and efficiency and power.Ms 170, 1897, par. 14–16 Believers are not to divorce their interests to confederate with men of the world or with men of the church converted to worldly methods and plans, nor to walk outside the light of truth by the sparks of their own kindling lest they lie down in sorrow, but to look to God and derive strength and power from Him alone.Ms 170, 1897, par. 14–16 They are to be set apart to preach the Word as John preparing the way of the Lord, bound not in confederacies with men but in covenant relation with God.Ms 170, 1897, par. 14–16

Believers are called to prepare faithfully before persecution comes, so they are not burdened by remorse over neglected opportunities when in the approaching crisis they are opposed by enemies and may be called to testify for the truth before councils and courts, even alone, while some former fellow believers abandon the faith and turn against them to oppress and malign them.5T 463.2 Christ's messengers will face opposition, including lies invented by false witnesses, yet strengthened faith in God enables them to remain undaunted, because Jesus is by their side and has overcome the world.Lt 21, 1897, par. 29–32