And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. — Matthew 24:10, NKJV
Men, believers will be hated for Christ’s namesake, then many will be offended, they will betray one another, and will hate one another. No one knows the day nor the hour, but we are certainly getting a sample of what the tribulation will involve.
If one word were employed to describe our current generation it’d be “offended”. This world has not been perfect since the fall, but suddenly, there is a ground swell of crying out against offense. Some offenses may be legitimate; other offenses are largely because the weak minded were told to be offended. Then there are others who are offended by the legitimate offense created by manufactured offense. People groups who have cooperated together in generations before now are encamped in their homes broiling in hate over their neighbor, searching out via social media memes to further justify their disdain.
Hate is everywhere. We’re offended by differing opinions. We’re offended by Truth, and anyone who takes a position from Truth causes an offense. When truth is spoken, sound bites are generated out of context to make it offending, or a character assault ensues to discredit the source of that truth so it doesn’t take root.
Brothers and sisters, we have to recognize what this is. These things are not of God. These things, if currently not part of the tribulation process, could be a result of the separating of sheep from goats. These things could be a foreshadowing meant to wake up a slumbering church to the very real issue of mankind’s wicked heart. The church will not gain ground by not offending. Jesus, the living cornerstone which our Spiritual house is built upon, is the rock of offense. We will offend, even with love in our hearts. Truth offends. The healing conviction of our hearts by Holy Spirit offends our flesh. It’s unavoidable.
Move forward men, offending the world with truth. Better to offend men, than to offend a Holy and just God. Be at peace, in as much as it depends upon us. But live Truth in Christ.
Vance Durrance
