Matthew 24 - Part 14

Are The Beginning [arche:G746] 

In our examination of Matthew 24 the last term that we want to consider in this verse is the word "beginning": All these are the beginning [arche:G746] of sorrows. We noted in our last study that the “sorrows” or “travail” (i.e., labor pains) in view had to do with Christ’s return in judgment.  This same word is also found in verse 21, highlighting the fact that the Great Tribulation not only encompassed God’ s judgment that began at his own “house”  first, but also the nature of the Tribulation itself, which was one of unparalleled spiritual deception: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning [arche:G746] of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. This term is also used in connection with the Savior Himself as Revelation 1:8 maintains: I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning [arche:G746] and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. We also find it associated with Melchisedec (Who is Christ) in Hebrews 3:14, For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning [arche:G746] of our confidence stedfast unto the end. You might be wondering, “Who or what is ‘our confidence’ ”? The term, “confidence” is translated “person” in Hebrews 1:3, and once again speaks of God the Son: Who being the brightness of [his] glory, and the express image of his person, [hypostasis:G5287] and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; So someone might ask, “How do we ‘...hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast to the end’ ?  This sounds like something I have to do.” In reality, Christ is the only One that can “hold” or “keep” (as this word is sometimes rendered) His elect, as He solemnly declares in Jude 1:24-25, even though a different word is employed for “keep,”: Now unto him that is able to keep [phylasso:G5442] you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, {25} To the only wise God our Saviour, [be] glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Matthew 24:9 states: 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.

Shall They Deliver Up [paradidomi:G3860] & Be Afflicted [thlipsis:G2347]

Let’s consider the two words, “shall they deliver up,” and "be afflicted." The expression "be afflicted" is unique as it is the identical term to "tribulation" as in Great "Tribulation" or Great "Affliction," (such as in Matthew 24:21 and 29), according to Acts 7:11, Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: [thlipsis:G2347] and our fathers found no sustenance. The “Great Affliction” of Joseph’s day was the first of three Great Tribulation periods mentioned in the Bible. The term, “shall they deliver up”  is used for instance in verse 11 of 2 Corinthians 4:10-11 as “are delivered”: Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. {11} For we which live are [paradidomi:G3860] [G0] alway delivered [paradidomi:G3860] unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. This passage underscores the reality that as Christ suffered during his earthly ministry, God’s elect Body on earth exemplifies His sufferings in similar fashion. 

Summary: Today we looked at the word, “beginning” in the phrase, “are the beginning of sorrows,” pointing to the Great Tribulation (also known as “Great Affliction” of our day (May 21, 1988 - May 21, 2011) - which was unique in that God the Holy Spirit abandoned all churches and denominations worldwide and without exception; secondly its chief characteristic was unparalleled spiritual deception. God’s elect also depict the sufferings of Christ - as His Body on earth -  as they are “delivered up” to similar trials, and as we will discover in our next study to “death,” and what that signifies spiritually. 

Prayer And Praise

• Your prayers for our daughter Maria are very much appreciated.
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• Please pray that God will provide the right rental home for BMI’s Vice-President and Board Member, Mark Hewitt. 
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