Matthew 24 - Part 17
We are investigating verse 10 in our ongoing study of Matthew 24, which states: And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. The question we want to bear in mind in our lesson is: Who are these that shall be offended, shall betray one another, and shall hate one another? We left off at the last phrase in verse 10 ...shall hate one another?
Shall Hate [miseo:G3404] One Another [allelon:G240]
This phrase is made up of two Greek words that only appear together in Titus 3:3, For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, [and] hating [miseo:G3404] one another. [allelon:G240]. This verse highlights unsaved man’s sinfulness, which God’s elect are certainly not immune from, but have had their sins forgiven by the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ at...the foundation of the world. Because of that God works in the lives of His elect people to ...will and to do of his good pleasure. So let’s proceed to verse 11: And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. When we were discussing verse 5 I alluded to this verse along with a few others in this chapter as spiritual deception was the hallmark of the Great Tribulation period which is one of the times and seasons being discussed in this chapter.
Many [polus:G4183] False Prophets [pseudoprophetes:G5578]
The two Greek words many and false prophets only surface together again in 1 John 4:1 where we find this important admonition: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many [polus:G4183] false prophets [pseudoprophetes:G5578] are gone out into the world.
Shall Rise [egeiro:G1453]
The next expression that we encounter in verse 11 is the Greek verb shall rise, which frequently is found in connection with the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, but it is also used in other ways as well, as we saw in Matthew 24:7, and we will encounter this word again in Matthew 24:24 respectively: For nation shall rise [egeiro:G1453] against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. ... {24} For there shall arise [egeiro:G1453] false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect. This same expression is also used in verse 8 of Luke 11:5-8 as will rise in this citation which exemplifies what God’s elect are to do in this day of judgment which is to offer the Bread of Life, so that God’s elect can be nourished spiritually: And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; {6} For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? {7} And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. {8} I say unto you, Though he will [egeiro:G1453] not rise [egeiro:G1453] and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. We have already considered the word deceive when we were examining verse 5, so let’s go on to verse 12, And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Iniquity [anomia:G458]
The word, iniquity, is also translated sin. In fact, in 1 John 3:4 one discovers God’s definition for iniquity or sin: Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth [anomia:G458]
also the law: [anomia:G458] for sin is the transgression of the law. [anomia:G458] Notice how God re-states the definition, and the law that is in view is the Law of God, which is the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Lord willing, in our next lesson, we will continue our investigation of verse 12.
Prayer And Praise