What is the meaning of Matthew 24:10? At that time Jesus places this warning within His larger teaching on the end of the age (Matthew 24:3–14). • Earlier verses describe wars, famines, earthquakes, and persecution (Matthew 24:6–9) — all setting the stage for what follows. • Daniel speaks of “a time of distress such as never has occurred” (Daniel 12:1), giving Old Testament support for this same season. • Paul echoes the theme: “Understand this: in the last days terrible times will come” (2 Timothy 3:1). The phrase signals a definite period when external pressures and spiritual deception reach a peak, testing every professing believer. many will fall away • Jesus does not say “a few,” but “many,” pointing to a widespread apostasy. • 1 Timothy 4:1 notes, “The Spirit explicitly states that in later times some will abandon the faith.” • 2 Thessalonians 2:3 warns of “the rebellion” that must occur before Christ’s return. • This falling away exposes hearts that never truly belonged to Christ, just as 1 John 2:19 explains: “They went out from us, but they did not belong to us.” Application: the call is to cultivate genuine, enduring faith now (Hebrews 3:12–14). and will betray • Pressure will push former companions to turn on each other, handing fellow Christians over to hostile authorities. • Jesus had already said, “Brother will deliver brother over to death” (Matthew 10:21; cf. Mark 13:12–13). • Luke 21:16 reinforces it: “You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends.” • Such betrayal mirrors Judas’s act (Psalm 41:9; John 13:18), reminding us that treachery can arise from the closest circles. • Faithfulness must therefore be anchored in Christ, not merely in human alliances. and hate one another • The breakdown of loyalty escalates into open hostility. Verse 12 continues, “Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of many will grow cold.” • 1 John 3:15 declares that anyone who hates his brother “is a murderer,” showing how spiritually deadly hatred is. • Paul lists “hatred, discord, jealousy” among the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19–21), warning believers to walk by the Spirit instead. • Titus 3:3 remembers a pre-conversion state: “We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another,” highlighting how Christ alone rescues us from this cycle. summary Matthew 24:10 foretells a sobering season when external persecution and internal compromise collide: many professing believers will abandon the faith, betray their own, and descend into mutual hatred. The verse urges vigilance, authentic devotion to Christ, and steadfast love for one another, so that in the darkest hour the true church shines with unwavering faith and sacrificial unity. |
    |