The Word of God declares that the activity and/or quality of endurance is an integral part of the salvation equation. Thus, Matthew 24:13 (KJV) states, “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Here, the Bible uses the auxiliary verb “shall” to denote a formal obligatory interaction between one’s endurance and their salvation. A few Bible translations (NIV, NLT, NRSV) use the modal verb “will” in this context (“will be saved”), since both terms generally follow similar grammatical rules.
“Shall be saved” or “will be saved” does not refer to what Jesus did at the cross when He saved us from the penalty of sin by His death. Nor does it refer to what He is doing every day by saving people from the power of sin by His grace. It clearly refers to what He will do when He returns to save us from the presence of sin at His second advent.
“Shall” highlights the certainty, surety, and security of God’s promise in the aforementioned text. It engenders confidence, propels faith, transmits hope, and gives believers a reason to “endure to the end.” Thus, “shall” serves to supplement the word “endure” in the focus scripture.
In this context, “endure” conjures up the imagery of one who is going somewhere in particular—moving toward a goal. Exploring the verb “endure” is essential for our consideration.
Accordingly, the Cambridge Dictionary states that to endure is “to suffer something difficult, unpleasant, or painful;” “to last;” “to suffer something difficult or unpleasant in a patient way over a long period;” or “to continue or carry on, despite obstacles or hardships.” It also suggests key synonyms for the term, such as tolerate, ride out, suffer, persist, persevere, undergo, brave, weather, and withstand.
God’s people who “endure to the end” will face end-time trials, temptations, and trouble from various angles. He said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”—John 16:33, NKJV. Yes, many may stumble, fall, topple, and roll over, but God reminds His people that they have His power, His almighty power available to empower them to stand up and continue on the “to the end” path.
Albeit, one quality of the person who endures is determination. Thus “he that endures to the end” is whoever is determined to go, determined to ride out all the fiery darts of the enemy and to go with Jesus to His heavenly home. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 says, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (NKJV).
Every child of God, every youth, young adult, and young-at-heart person is called to be one who is determined to endure to the end—until Jesus returns. Maranatha!
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