Moment of Meditation: Tribulation (Matthew 24:9-13)

''"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved" (Matthew 24:9-13).''

Much ink has been spilt in the last century about the seven-year tribulation at the end of the world. But this isn't what Jesus says when He speaks of a tribulation in Matthew 24. Tribulation is the struggle to live the Christian life in the midst of persecution.

The Great Tribulation began with the Fall into sin in the Garden of Eden. It continues until Jesus comes back. Tribulation comes to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The world hates those who believe in Jesus. "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you" (John 15:18-19). Endure until Jesus comes back and you will be saved and you will receive the crown of life (Revelation 2:10). Amen.