Those Who Endure To the End Will Be Saved
Bible Study Guide (Olivet Discourse – End Times Series)
In light of Jesus’ last five warnings of the things to come in the last days and hours of this age, He offers hope. He tells us that those who endure to the end will be saved.
Which group of people is Jesus referring to? What end is He talking about? What does is mean to be saved?
Throughout the Old Testament, God never brought judgment and wrath upon His people without warning. In fact, He always warned them more than once to turn from their sinful ways and back to Him.
He made clear what their sins. He didn’t withdraw on the details of what would befall them if they didn’t turn back to Him. And just as He’s a God of His word, He brought judgment upon them for remaining in their evil ways.
God never delivered discipline on His people without foretelling them of the restoration of their nation after they returned to Him.
Jesus follows the same thematic approach. Jesus began His Olivet Discourse teaching on the end times by delivering the first five warnings to His disciples and followers around Him. By extension, these warnings are meant for the world to hear.
Then He follows up with rays of hope for a glorious new kingdom that sits on the horizon for those who choose salvation.
The One Who Endures to the End Will Be Saved
(Verse 13) Jesus points His attention to a very specific group of people. He tells them what they’ll need to do. Then, He follows with a the blessing that will come to those who follow through.
“but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:13)
This verse is brief but rich in meaning, especially when considered in the context of Bible prophecy. Let’s break down its biblical significance in relation to three key important groups of people who’ll be saved.
First, let’s look at the three groups of people that Jesus is citing in the first part of this verse. Up to the end of this current age, all saved people (the church – believers in Christ) will fall into one of three groups. We’ll look at those next.
It’s important to keep in mind as we move through Jesus’ teaching that His focus is going to narrow down to what is going to happen to the Jewish people and the nation of Israel. While the world is enduring seven dreadful years of the tribulation, God has a very specific plan for His people (Jews) and His land (Israel).
The Church – Those Saved at the Rapture
Followers of Christ will have to experience spiritual endurance before the rapture. We see that today, as lawlessness, evil and the hearts of many grow cold. Our spiritual strength will be tested. But nothing nearly as close as those who’ll enter the tribulation as unbelievers.
Though Matthew 24 is directed primarily at Israel, the principle of enduring faith applies to the Church Age. We read about this in Jesus’ final warnings to the seven churches of Revelation (Revelation 2–3). In this current age, believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit.
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14)
And called to persevere to the end of the age.
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” (Hebrews 10:36)
True believers will not fall away into apostasy (turning from the faith).
“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” (John 10:28-29)
“They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.” (1 John 2:19)
The call to endure doesn’t mean salvation is earned, but that genuine saving faith is proven by perseverance.
Before the wrath of God is poured out (1 Thessalonians 1:10, Revelation 3:10), the Church is removed, and those who endured in faith will be caught up.
Endurance here proves the authenticity of salvation before the rapture.
Tribulation Saints – Those Saved After the Rapture, During the Tribulation
Those who enter the seven year tribulation period will face dreadful and fearful, physical and spiritual endurance during a time of great testing.
The Olivet Discourse teaching describes this time period as a time of intense persecution, deception, and judgment (Revelation 6–19).
“He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.” (Daniel 9:27)
In this verse, God is describing through His prophet, Daniel the midway point of the tribulation called the Great Tribulation. It’ll be at this time the antichrist takes his position in the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. He will end all Jewish rituals, set himself up to be God. And will demand to be worshiped. This time will be considered the worse days the earth has ever experienced. It’ll also be the worse hatred ever experienced by the Jews in their history.
Endurance to “the end” is often understood as the end of the Tribulation period. Those who remain faithful to Christ unto death or Christ’s return will be saved (Revelation 7:9–17). Many will be martyred, but their spiritual endurance leads to eternal life.
Endurance is both spiritual (faith in Christ) and often physical (surviving persecution).
You do not want to wait until the tribulation period to give your life to Christ. It’ll be a horrendous time of testing. Many will die for their faith in Christ. Accept Christ as your Lord and Savior, today!
The Jewish Remnant – Saved at the End of the Tribulation
Those who endure to the end will be saved. Jewish national endurance through the tribulation to eventual salvation.
Zechariah, the prophet and Paul’s letter to the Romans speaks of a refined remnant of Israel who will turn to Jesus as Messiah at the end of the Tribulation.
“In the whole land,” declares the Lord,
“two-thirds will be struck down and perish;
yet one-third will be left in it.
9 This third I will put into the fire;
I will refine them like silver
and test them like gold.
They will call on my name
and I will answer them;
I will say, ‘They are my people,’
and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’” (Zechariah 13:8-9)
“I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written:
“The deliverer will come from Zion;
he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27 And this is my covenant with them
when I take away their sins.” (Romans 11:25-27)
Jewish Purification, Endurance and Restoration
God will put the Jews through a dreadful catastrophe in the tribulation. Two-thirds of Israel will perish, but one-third will survive and be purified through fiery trial. This one-third will be called the Remnant.
After purification and at the end of the seven year tribulation, this remnant will call on the name of the Lord, fulfilling the “endurance to the end” by enduring until the Second Coming, when Jesus rescues and restores them.
“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.” (Zechariah 12:10)
Jesus points to His second coming in Matthew 23. In light of His pending death, resurrection and ascension to heaven, He gives the people of Israel these words about His return at the end of the tribulation.
“For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” (Matthew 23:39)
For the Jews, endurance is tied to national survival, recognition of the Messiah, and fulfillment of covenant promises.
These Are the Ones Who Endure
| The One Who Stands Firm… | …To The End of |
| The Church (Those Saved at the Rapture) | The Current Age |
| Tribulation Saints (Saved in the Tribulation) | The Tribulation |
| Jewish Remnant (Saved End of Tribulation) | The Tribulation |
Those Who Endure to the End Will Be Saved
Let’s examine the last part of Matthew 24:13. We learned who the the ones who’ll be saved in the three groups. It’s likely Jesus was referring to the Jewish remnant. Since His teaching on the end times was focused more on the people of Israel.
We also learned what these people will have to endure and when they’ll be saved.
The question now is, “what does it mean to be saved?”
Biblically, to be saved means to be rescued from sin, death, and eternal separation from God, and to be brought into right relationship with Him through faith in Jesus Christ. This concept of salvation unfolds throughout Scripture.
Saved From What?
Sin’s penalty:
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
God’s wrath:
“All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.” (Ephesians 2:3)
Eternal separation:
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (Matthew 25:46)
Jesus Christ is the only Savior.
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)
In summary, to be saved means to be rescued from sin and God’s judgment, reconciled to Him by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and promised eternal life with Him.
Those who endure to the end will be saved!!!
The Process To Being Saved
| Aspect | Description | Scripture |
|---|---|---|
| Justification | Declared righteous before God | Romans 5:1 |
| Regeneration | Made spiritually alive (born again) | John 3:3; Titus 3:5 |
| Sanctification | Growing in holiness over time | 1 Thessalonians 4:3 |
| Glorification | Final perfection with Christ forever | Romans 8:30; Philippians 3:21 |
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