When Will the End Be?

Compare and Contrast Matthew 24:6 and Matthew 24:14

Matthew 24:6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. (NKJV)

Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (NKJV)

Each of these two verses are very important, especially so to those who are focused on end times. Each verse and what they represent must be rightly divided. They must be put into proper context and perspective by those disciples who properly understand the kingdom of God and who are seeking first that kingdom and right standing with God. Unless this is done, Christians can be easily distracted and get off target from what our Lord has commanded them to do.

For example, there is much emphasis in certain parts of the Church on verse six and all the things that have been and are taking place such as wars and rumors of wars. These wars and rumors of wars can not be denied but if one misses that the end is not yet they can also miss what they are to be doing. Verse fourteen makes it very clear what must take place before the end. Regretfully, many Christians who are off track in their teaching and understanding of verse six either miss or misinterpret verse fourteen.

One may ask, how could they miss or misinterpret verse fourteen? One way that they miss it and cause others to miss it is by their over emphasis on verse six. One way they misinterpret it is by not really understanding what the gospel of the kingdom is. One can easily miss the Holy Spirit's intent concerning the kingdom of God if they don't rightly understand the gospel of the kingdom and/or are not seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Jesus went about teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and then confirming that message with accompanying signs (Matt: 4:23). Paul summed up the message of his ministry two times in the last chapter of the book of Acts.

Acts 28:23 So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. (NKJV)

Acts 28:30, 31 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him. (NKJV)

When enough disciples forsake all to follow Jesus and get the message right, then we will be on the path to putting Matthew 24:6 in proper perspective as well as being on the path of fulfilling Matthew 24:14. The stakes are high! Who has ears to hear and can break free from private interpretations and traditions of men that make the Word (truth) of God of no effect (Matt 15:6). This gives real meaning to humility. Many Christians are as dogmatic and proud of their interpretations and traditions as were the Pharisees and Sadducees while Jesus was on earth, but the poor in spirit and humble of heart and mind are going to break forth and spread the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and His kingdom throughout the earth.