His Glorious Appearing: An Exposition of Matthew Twenty-Four

by James White

The End.

Verse 13: “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”

As before noted, the word end, whenever used in this chapter, refers to the end of the age, and to nothing else. It is the end associated in the New Testament with the second appearing of Jesus Christ. If it be urged that the word “end” has reference to the close of mortal life, then we reply that the disciples did not ask their Lord (see verse 3) when they should die; but “what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Neither does the Lord speak of death, when he says (see verse 6), “But the end is not yet.” And it would be strange indeed to suppose that the word “end” (verse 14) meant death. If any think such a position admissible, let them read it into the text, as follows: And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations, and then shall death come. Absurdity!

Verse 14: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached In all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come.”

This is the first sign of the end given by our Lord in answer to the question, “What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”

But it is robbed of its distinct power by that interpretation, sometimes given, by which it is assumed that all men will receive the gospel and be converted, and that then [pg 028] instead of the end, there will ensue a thousand years in which all shall know the Lord. After this long period of peace and safety, the end will come. How much is assumed on this text will appear when we consider that the text does not say that every individual will even hear this gospel of the kingdom. It does not state that any one will be converted and made holy by it. And we find it far from intimating that the world will be converted and remain so one thousand years. We have no reason to conclude that greater measure of success is implied in this text than that which has always attended the preaching of the gospel. While a few have believed and received it, the great mass of men have passed it by unheedingly. The text simply states: First, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world;” second, “For a witness unto all nations;” third, “And then [not one thousand years later, but then] shall the end come.”

But to what does the term “gospel of the kingdom” refer? The query sometimes rises as to whether the gospel in the common acceptation of the word, or a gospel peculiarly related to the second coming of Christ is here meant. No such distinction is to be drawn. There neither is, has been, nor will be more than one gospel. “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Gal. 1:8.

The gospel, then, in this instance, is the same as Paul preached, which was the “power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” But in Rev. 14:6 and 7 we read:—

“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud [pg 029]voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come; and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountain of waters.”

The gospel is here called the “everlasting gospel,” and must necessarily be referred to the gospel of Christ. In connection with the preaching of that gospel, was the proclamation that the judgment hour had come. Not that this message was appended to the gospel, but the angel who had the everlasting gospel to preach said, “Fear God ... for the hour of his judgment is come.”

The gospel of Jesus Christ embraces all truth relating to salvation. The warnings, counsel, invitations, promises, precepts, prophecies, or whatever the Lord would have the people hear,—the gospel embraces them all. In the days of Noah, the gospel included repentance, faith, obedience, with the promises of grace and mercy; it also included the warning of the impending judgment. And the only way to escape that judgment was through the gospel. So here in Revelation we have the gospel with all it implies, including the message of Christ's second coming and kingdom and the judgment. Closely associated with this message are two others as given in Rev. 14:8-12. The first is merged into these. Then immediately following their proclamation we have the following scene:—

“And I looked and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.... And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.” Rev. 14:14-16.

In Rev. 14:6-16, then, we learn what is the meaning of the term “gospel of the kingdom.” It is the gospel, and it embraces the admonitions and instructions relative to the second coming of Christ. And now that we have reached that time, the complete gospel embraces the good [pg 030] news of the coming kingdom with appropriate warnings and teachings. Our Saviour says it “shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations.” The Revelator says the message is to be preached “to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.” When this shall be done, the end will come.

The world-wide proclamation of the soon coming of Christ was inaugurated about 1832. Since that time, the work of extending its warning voice has gone on. A most remarkable feature of this movement is the fact that in different countries individuals were moved upon, almost simultaneously, to study the prophecies and proclaim the nearness of the end, although they knew nothing of what was being done by others. In the United States and Canada, in Great Britain, Norway, Sweden, Germany, and in Asia, a profound interest in this subject was created, and people were led to expect the early appearance of Jesus. Since that time clearer light has appeared in connection with the other messages of Revelation 14, and still the work is onward. Wherever the light of the Bible has penetrated, the good news of the coming Saviour is now going. Not only so, but messengers bearing this gracious warning are rapidly finding their way into the dark portions of the earth. Evidence of its extent and progress might be expressed in facts and figures, but the rapid development of the work would soon leave these in the rear. Let it suffice to say that at present the everlasting gospel is being preached and published in all the leading languages and countries of the world. The work has encircled the globe. It is rapidly reaching every nation. We now wait for the approaching end; for when the purpose of God in the proclamation of the coming reign of Christ shall be fully accomplished, then the end will come.

Thus far in this discourse Jesus has passed over the entire Christian dispensation. Beginning with a warning against the deceptions that were to succeed his own times, he next describes wars and disasters, persecutions, apostasy, the perils of the last days, and closes with a distinct sign of the end.