“But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” – Matthew 24:13
Imagine with me that one day we were blessed to join Jesus and some of His disciples on a Washington D.C. Capitol Tour. We begin outside and see the Washington Monument, the Jefferson, Lincoln and other Memorials. Then we are shown the Capitol itself, the Rotunda, National Statuary Hall, the Capitol Dome, Emancipation Hall, and Exhibition Hall. We see a painting of the pilgrims at Plymouth Rock kneeling in prayer and holding a Geneva Bible. In another painting we see Pocahontas’ baptismal service! We are in awe and enlightened by all the Christian influences seen in the Capitol artwork. We are impressed, and a spirit of patriotism grows contagious among us.
The new Trump administration has dressed up the holy center of the United States of America and we can see MAGA hats on fellow visitors everywhere. The Capitol is filled with a good spirit, a fervent spirit, a spirit of pride, determination, and hope. Finally, with our mouths agape with ohhhs and ahhhs and hearts full of patriotic fervor, we follow Jesus to the exit like a litter of young puppies sharing among ourselves and then with Jesus, the impressions the great capitol has made on us. “There’s no capitol like this capitol! . . . It’s A-MAZZZZ-ING. . . For sure it’s impressive. . . Such magnificent symbols of power and earthly glory. . .. There’s no nation like our nation. . .America is truly GREAT AGAIN!” And so on we bubbled.
But all of this did not much surprise Jesus or really even impress Him. He knows that blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.[1] Jesus knows a nation is blessed in proportion to their closeness to God. He also knows the opposite is true. If a nation, once close to God, drifts away from God, their heaven-sent blessings will drift away too. A nation could avoid God’s judgment if they repented or experience God’s judgment if they did not.[2]
Jesus was pleased to see such enthusiasm. But He also saw a teaching moment. He knows that while there is nothing wrong with patriotism, out of balance, it could sidetrack us. There was a danger of getting off course, of mis-prioritizing, of losing focus. So, as we calmed down and walked away He commented, “Do you see all these monuments and symbols of power, national pride, and earthly glory? ’Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.’” [3] Whew! What? That shocks us and stops us in our tracks. We are tempted to think, Really? what a killjoy, what a downer. But we will discover that nothing could be further from the truth about Jesus’ words.
Our imaginary story is based in reality. Long ago, when Jesus walked the earth, He and His disciples were in the courts of the Temple. Those early disciples gloried in and were amazed and proud at the magnificence of the Temple. The Temple was a symbol of the national identity of Israel. The Temple had persevered. It was where God met with His people. They were patriotic. It was then that Jesus said it would all one day be destroyed. The disciples were shocked then too. All they could do was ask Jesus to clarify what He meant. “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3). So “permanent” and powerful was the Temple that they associated its’ destruction with the end of the age. They, like us, are inclined to be impressed by the structures and powerful symbols of this world.
If in our imaginary story Jesus led us out to the National Mall, that long lawn of our country’s capitol, and sat us down to answer our questions, we no doubt would be wide eyed and attentive for Jesus’ answers. What would Jesus tell us? He would tell us about a time of turmoil and change like no other time in history that was coming.[4] He would tell us that in the future there would be a time of unprecedented Tribulation on this earth. Deception and deceivers would become more and more adept at deception and even associate themselves with Jesus’ name! Jesus would share about “wars and rumors of wars.” Wars would lead to famines and disease. There would even be natural disasters like earthquakes. But all of this would only be the beginning of the end, like the birth pangs of a mother about to give birth. There would be persecution of Christians. Christians would be “hated by all nations for My name’s sake” Jesus would say. People would become hypersensitive and there would be a spirit of taking offense. Betrayal and treachery would be rampant. Hatred instead of love would be the heart condition of that day. There would be so much lawlessness that people would be cold-hearted and unsympathetic, crushing and using people however they desired. [5] Jesus would allude to the Antichrist who would desecrate the Temple just as the prophet Daniel said would happen.[6] During all of this the gospel would still be preached throughout the world. But the Tribulation would be a time that unless it was limited, no one would survive. Thankfully, God in His mercy would shorten the days for the sake of His people. [7] At the climax of this unprecedented time of calamity on the earth, Jesus, “as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west,” would return. Then His Judgment. [8]
All of this was scary and foreboding. But then Jesus would insert a comment that was vitally important for us to grasp.
“But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:13).
In the middle of all the prophetic catastrophic events, a short ten-word comment by Jesus was reason for us to hope.
We need to mention here that the Bible teaches the Church of genuinely saved born-again believers will be removed prior to this time of Tribulation. They will be removed or caught up in the Rapture of the Church by Jesus before the Tribulation. [9] They will be removed by Jesus from this earth because the Tribulation is a time of God’s outpoured wrath on a Christ rejecting world. [10] Those saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus are saved from the wrath of God that is coming. [11]
This Rapture is the “blessed hope” of the true believer in Jesus.[12] But the blessed hope of the Rapture of Jesus is no reason for us to batten down the hatches, pull down the shutters, lock the doors and hide in the basement until Jesus comes. Not at all. The Rapture of the Church by Jesus is imminent, it could happen at any time and our calling is to fulfill the Great Commission until Jesus takes us out of here. Therefore we still need to endure until the Rapture occurs.
Jesus wondered on one occasion saying aloud, “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith in the earth?”[13] Jesus spoke prophetically of what the Church would be like at the time of the Rapture. He said it would be lukewarm, passionless for the things of God. He said lukewarm faith makes Him want to vomit.[14] Therefore, instead of being complacent for any reason we should be consistent in holy living. We should be fervent in sharing the gospel with the lost so that we can take as many saved people with us as possible. We should live faithfully for our Lord until He returns.
We also need to mention that despite the power and glory of the United States of America in history, there is scant evidence of our nation in the prophetic scriptures which make up nearly one third of the Bible. That is odd given the influence and prominence of America in the last two hundred fifty or so years of human history. What happens to America in the end? We just do not know. My hope and prayer are that God blesses our nation with one last revival that wins so many souls to Him by the gospel that when Jesus raptures the Church, the majority of people in our land go to be with Him. I pray our nation is saved into oblivion, to the glory of God!
Considering all of this its easy to see why Jesus exhorted us that enduring to the end is critically important. Today with the immigration crisis, government corruption being exposed, wokeism and gender confusion, our heads are spinning. The racial tensioning to divide the nation, the treachery and wild spending of our tax dollars riles us up, but also wears us down. The foundations of our nation and its traditions are under attack. There are enemies foreign and domestic all around us. A Biblical worldview is opposed at every turn. Economic pundits are predicting a monetary crisis in the near future. It is easy to be anxious during such times.
The people of America are waking up to domestic enemies trying to destroy or at least fundamentally change our nation. There is a political counter revolution underway to make America great again. But the more we dig and find the greater the task seems to be. Add to all of this the myriad geopolitical threats throughout the world and its scary. World War III is threatening in the Ukrainian versus Russian war. There is persistent unrest in the Middle East between Israel and her terrorist enemies. It all shows us we are perhaps seconds before midnight on God’s prophetic clock. All of this is evidence for why Jesus exhorted His followers to endure to the end. All of this could, if we let it, stop us in our tracks and crash and burn us. Folks don’t let world events crush you. Instead, endure like Jesus told us too.
Enduring to the end
“He who endures to the end shall be saved.” In Matthew 24:13 Jesus speaks of endurance. The word “endure” is translated from the Greek term hupomeno meaning, “to stay under; remain under; have fortitude; persevere; endure patiently; abide; endure; and suffer.” We get a clearer sense of the word by examining it more closely. Hupomeno is a word formed by joining the prefix hupo to the term meno. The preposition hupo can mean, “by” or “under.” The word meno is translated, “abide.” To “abide” (meno) means, “to continue; abide; stay; dwell; be present; remain.” Therefore, when you add the prefix hupo to the term meno you have the idea of staying the course, staying close to and under the authority and presence of something or someone. What we will soon discover is that who (or Who) you endure with makes all the difference in the world. Who you endure with determines whether you will indeed endure.
Jesus is our Model of Endurance
On more than one occasion Jesus warned His followers they would be persecuted. He said:
Matthew 10:22 – “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures [hupomone] to the end will be saved.”
Jesus is our Model of endurance and what it means.
Jesus is our ultimate example of endurance as He endured suffering and shame for the sake of the gospel as it says in Hebrews:
Hebrews 12:2-3 – “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured [hupomone] the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured [hupomone] such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.”
As we see the endurance of our blessed Savior it moves our heart in the Spirit. As we look at Jesus, we are reminded of our great personal saving relationship with Him, and we are drawn to abide in Him and endure.
Enduring means Abiding
Jesus used the word “abide” to instruct disciples on how to endure and persevere. Jesus stated:
John 8:31-32 – “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide [Greek meno] in My word, you are My disciples indeed.32 “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Abiding in Christ is not something we do with discipline, intestinal fortitude, or our own strength. No, abiding is done by relying on Jesus, staying by Him, continuing by Him, dwelling by Him. It means abiding by Him in the personal saving relationship with Him that comes through the gospel. Jesus explains this when He says:
John 15:4-8 – “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.6 “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.8 “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”
Abiding in Jesus is simply living by the Spirit in close relationship and communication with Him. Abiding in Jesus is an ongoing, moment by moment process by which we endure to the end of this life. In this sense, Jesus must become our all in all. The apostle Paul expressed this well when he said:
Acts 17:28a – “for in Him we live and move and have our being, . . .”
Jesus is our all in all, He is our reason for living and that ultimately is what abiding in Him is all about. Abiding in Jesus is staying so close to Him that we stick to Him like glue. Abiding in Jesus means we are with Him and He with us at all times everywhere we go. This is the heart of endurance. It is the Holy Spirit that enables us to endure in Christ (see Romans 8).
Blessed Endurance
We need to understand that this endurance of abiding in Jesus is not a hardship but a blessing! It isn’t as though we abide in Jesus kicking and screaming and being dragged along the way. There is no better way to live than to endure and live abiding in Jesus. James the half-brother of Jesus speaks of the blessedness of enduring in our faith when he is inspired to write:
James 1:12 – “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
James 5:11 – “Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”
James goes so far as to say that even though Job experienced suffering, in the end enduring with the LORD was well worth it and blessed. If we keep our eyes on Jesus, no matter if hell breaks loose around us, in His strength, we will endure and we will be blessed in the end.
A first century Biblical “saying” is appropriate here which states:
2 Timothy 2:11-13 – “This is a faithful saying: 1 For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him.12 If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.”
We may falter in our abiding, but Jesus will always be there for us to help us onward and through hard times. Abiding in Jesus is a blessed way to live one’s life, no matter the circumstances.
There is one final reason that endurance is blessed. The Bible states:
2 Timothy 2:10 – “Therefore I endure [hupomone] all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”
Our endurance is used by God to bring others to saving faith in Jesus. When we suffer and show God’s grace in our lives, it has a powerful impact on unbelievers. When people see the strength, the truth, the reality of God’s grace made perfect in our times of weakness and suffering, our testimony and life become a powerful tool in the hand of the Holy Spirit to draw sinners to repentance. [15] When we endure suffering or trials by God’s grace, we are blessed to see the reality of God’s grace, and a double blessing is birthed as others see the reality of God in our lives. Endurance is indeed a great blessing.
Seven Safety Steps for Enduring Life
How can we endure? The Bible is about living out our faith in this life. But throughout the Bible we are also exhorted to be ready for the End Times period that is coming. Whether in present trials that require endurance or future ones that require the same, we need to be ready and prepared to endure.
Below are seven safety steps to take to prepare the believer to not only remain safe during such times, but to be an enduring productive instrument in the hands of God. What are these seven safety steps?
First, Don’t Be Deluded Away from the Simplicity of a Personal Gospel
The first thing we need to guard against is getting away from the simplicity of God’s word. Paul specifically mentioned and warned against getting away from “the simplicity of Christ,” saying:
2 Corinthians 11:3-4 – “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!”
Notice that Paul mentions “another Jesus,” “a different spirit,” and “a different gospel.” These alternatives to the simplicity of salvation by grace through faith alone in Christ alone are all from “the serpent.” There is a segment of the “Church” that has anathematized those who hold to the simple gospel of grace in Christ. Beware and remember the words of the Apostle Paul who said, “But even if we or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 3:8). Don’t let yourself be cheated by worldly alternatives and human traditions that are contrary to the truth of God’s word (Colossians 2:6-10). Jesus said the right way was a narrow” way. The narrow way of Jesus may be difficult, it will require you to endure, but it will be worth it in the end. The wrong way is “broad” and much easier, but it leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). Endure in the way of God’s truth, you won’t regret it.
Second, Understand There Will Be A Falling Away That Precedes Antichrist’s Rise
Paul states to the Thessalonians church:
2 Thessalonians 2:3 – “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,
There is going to be a “falling away” or departure from the truth of God and His word. This departure will occur in “that Day,” the Day of the Rapture and unfolding of the events of God’s prophetic calendar. This is exactly what we see today. Many churches are compromised. They have cast aside God’s word and are following societal trends. They are more concerned with filling the church building and making money than they are being a ground and pillar of truth which is what a church should be (1 Timothy 3:15). Beware, find a Bible teaching church, and endure.
Third, Examine Yourself
Paul was inspired to write to the Corinthians:
2 Corinthians 13:5 – “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? —unless indeed you are disqualified.”
All people should examine themselves regularly to check where they’re at with the Lord. We need to keep up to date with the Lord making sure we are not making provisions for our flesh or being deluded by the enemy in some way.
Fourth, Beware of the Enemy
Both Paul and Peter warned believers against the tactics and strategies of Satan who is relentless in his pursuit to destroy believers. They said:
Ephesians 6:10-12 – “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
1 Peter 5:8-9 – “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”
Be aware of your enemy and his desire to eat you alive! That problem you have with that other person or situation is not simply an issue with them, it is likely fueled and backed by a strategy of Satan to get at you in some way. Beware of Satan and keep things in spiritual perspective.
Fifth, Be Alert
Pay attention to these wise words of Jesus:
Luke 21:34-36 – “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.35 “For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.36 “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Jesus tells us to be alert and avoid being weighed down with things in this world which will prevent us from being ready when Jesus returns. Jesus tells us to be prayerful, especially prayerful of being “counted worthy to escape all these things.” The way we can escape all of these things is by way of the rapture and Jesus would not have told us to pray to escape unless it were possible. This is evidence for a pre-Tribulation Rapture.
Sixth, Contend for The Faith, Stand on God’s Word
The time left before Jesus’ return is very short, we shouldn’t be hiding in our homes but out contending earnestly for the truth of God. This is what the Bible tells us when it states:
Jude 3 – “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” (cf. also Ezekiel 3:17-19)
The word of God is our revelation from God to us. It is a love letter from God’s heart to our heart. God’s word is what we need to focus on so that we can know Whom we believe and follow Him (e.g., 2 Timothy 2:15, 24-26).
God’s word is sufficient for our mission in these last days. Study it, take it to heart. Prayerfully ask the Spirit to illuminate it to you and equip you with it. Look at the all-encompassing nature of God’s word for ministry as stated by the inspired words of Paul who said:
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
The word of God is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:10-18), let’s weald it in the Spirit and be used by the Lord. Let’s go on the attack and take as many people to heaven with us as we can.
Seventh, Speak the Truth in Love
In First Corinthians when Paul’s great inspired definition of agape love is defined, he writes.
1 Corinthians 13:7 – “[Love] bears [hupmone] all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
Love and endurance are inseparable. Love gives endurance its character.
There was once a disciple of Jesus who when His betrayer came to take Jesus into custody, drew his sword and chopped off the ear of one of those who came for Jesus (Matthew 26:50-56). But Jesus rebuked the hacker. We are not to hack away at people with the word of God which is the sword of the Spirit. The Bible describes the word of God as a sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). This “sword” is not a machete to hack off ears. This sword is a scalpel to do loving spiritual surgery on sin infected hearts (Ephesians 6:17)
When Jesus stood before Pilate being interrogated Pilate asked Him if He was a king. Jesus did not deny being a king, but instead of dwelling on His kingship, He clarified His mission as being a “witness to the truth” (John 18:37). In Jesus High Priestly Prayer He said that truth is the word of God (John 17:17). This mission of being a Truth Bearer is important for us because we are called to be conformed to the likeness of Jesus (Romans 8:29), follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21), and to walk as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6). If Jesus bore witness to God’s truth, so should we.
But the way we share God’s truth is important too. We are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). All that we do as Christians, including sharing the gospel and the truth of God’s word, we are to do it in love. “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). Such love is not something we generate in our own strength. Such love comes from the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5; Galatians 5:22-24). Without the Holy Spirit, we can’t love like we are called to love.
Endurance begins with a first step. Maybe you’ve been reading this and wondering, “This is scary. I can’t imagine enduring through such times.” Without Jesus, this would be scary. But with Jesus you can say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Enduring with Jesus begins with a first step of faith in Him. Endurance begins with the gospel. What is that gospel? Here it is in a nutshell.
- All people fall short of what God requires to get into heaven and are sinners (Romans 3:21-25). People are born sinful (Psalm 51:5). Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). Because of sin, people are spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1-3). Everyone has broken God’s Law (Romans 3:10 and 23). The truth is, even just one offense condemns before God (Galatians 3:10; James 2:10). Jesus is God’s standard to get into heaven (John 16:8-11). Jesus said the destiny of the sinner is separation from God (Matthew 25:32), everlasting fire (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 19:20), everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46), an everlasting sad, lonely, darkness (Matthew 8:12).
- God Himself has made provision to reconcile us to Himself in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). Only God incarnate could live the required perfectly just life and pay the price for the sins of all people (Isaiah 53:4-6; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11). The Bible tells us “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself” (2 Corinthians 5:19). That is grace; God’s Riches/Redemption at Christ’s Expense. We are what we are by God’s grace (1 Corinthians 15:10). Salvation and forgiveness for our sins is based on Jesus’ atoning work on the cross and God’s offering forgiveness based on Jesus’ work, freely as a gift of His grace (Ephesians 2:1-9). The just penalty for our sins is death. Jesus paid our death penalty on the cross. God offers us the benefits of that as a gift to be received by faith (Romans 6:23).
- God’s salvation is a gift to be received on His terms, by faith (Ephesians 2:4-10). Jesus requires us to make a decision about Him. To make no decision is to decide against Him (Matthew 12:30). Indecision is decision. He also requires us to publicly confess our faith in Him (Matthew 10:32-33). God forgives us when we repent (Acts 2:38-39) and trust Him to forgive us on the basis of the work Jesus has done (Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-8). Salvation is free, but it wasn’t cheap. It cost Jesus His life. God loves us and knows we can’t save ourselves. He has done the work for us. He sent Jesus to die and pay the penalty for sin instead of us (2 Corinthians 5:21). We need only accept it. An acronym for the faith that saves is Forsaking All I Trust Him to forgive me of my sin. Your prayer for forgiveness could be as follows:
Father, I come to You in Jesus’ name. I admit I am a sinner and have sinned against You. Right now, I am turning from my sin to You in faith. I ask You to please forgive me of my sin. I believe Jesus died on the cross for me to pay the penalty for my sins. I ask Your Son Jesus to come into my life to be my personal Lord and Savior. I ask You to please fill me with Your Holy Spirit and give me spiritual life. Help me to be your disciple. In faith I thank You that You have forgiven me. Thank You that I’m now a child of God. Thank You that I’m going to heaven. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
When you pray that prayer from your heart, understand that the Bible states you are born again (John 3:1-21); a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17); a child of God (1 John 3:1); you are forgiven (Colossians 2:13).
4.When you become a Christian you are born again into the Body of Christ which is called the Church (2 Corinthians 5:17). The Holy Spirit has a spiritual gift for you to use to serve God (1 Corinthians 12-14). You have a part to play. God has a plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11-14; Ephesians 2:10; 4:11-16). You need to be taught God’s word and learn about your faith and Who God is (Acts 2:42; Philippians 2:12-13; 2 Timothy 1:12). Find a church where you can be taught the word of God and where you’ll find the support of loving fellowship (1 John 2:3-11). Read God’s word on a regular basis and pray to your heavenly Father in the name of His Son Jesus. Begin by going back and reading all the scripture references in this study. Let them sink in prayerfully.
Lord, help us endure, make us what we need to be, to do what you call us to do, for Your glory, until You return, in Jesus’ name, amen.
[1] Psalm 33:12
[2] Jeremiah 18:5-11
[3] See Matthew 24:1-2
[4] Matthew 24:21
[5] Matthew 24:3-12
[6] Daniel 9:24-27
[7] Matthew 24:14-28
[8] Matthew 25
[9] 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
[10] E.g., Revelation 6:16-17
[11] Cf. Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9; Romans 3:10
[12] Titus 2:13
[13] Luke 18:8
[14] Revelation 3:16
[15] See 2 Corinthians 12:8-10