“He who endures to the end will be saved”

Jesus said this twice in Matthew with reference to persecution:  10.22 and 24.13.  The first reference seems to apply to the near future, yet not the immediate future when Jesus sent out the 12 Apostles, while the second reference applies to the great tribulation period.

 Some would say this speaks of eternal salvation, and those who (truly) have salvation are those who endure to the end.  If you don’t endure to the end, then you were never really saved, (or you lose your salvation—if you don’t believe in once saved, always saved).  

There is the view more common among dispensationalists that this speaks of a physical salvation during the great tribulation.  Due to the persecution of the great tribulation, a believer will have to trust God with his life, and through perseverance to the end, they will be saved physically.  I could see that as a possible explanation, but will all who endure survive physically?  

There are, I believe, parallels with the many references of the words of Jesus, saying, "he who loses his life will preserve it" (Luke 17.33).  He said this just after he made reference to Lot's wife (who died).  Jesus is talking about how it will be when he is "revealed":  His second coming (17.24,30).  She sought to save her life, and she lost it.  So maybe it is about physical salvation.  But it seems difficult to think that physical salvation is in view if many die for their faith during the great tribulation.  I think that it is possible that losing your life (or soul, because the Greek is Psuche) results in a certain kind of preservation, not physically, but spiritually.

 I think this salvation that Jesus is talking about to his disciples is not about eternal salvation or even physical salvation, but a spiritual kind of salvation that one will have if they endure in their faith to the end.  It’s the same thing as where Jesus said in different ways and different times about those who lose their “soul/ life” for his (Jesus’) sake and the gospel.  Losing your soul/life for the gospel and Jesus are not the terms of justification.  I know that there will be an attempt to say that if you lose your soul/life that it is proof you are truly saved.  But is that the intent of what Jesus is saying? 

I believe he is talking about what one’s life consists of, being one’s identity.  It’s like when people say they are seeking to find themselves--who they are.    A believer who seeks to save his soul/life will lose it, but if he loses his soul/life for Christ’s sake and the gospel, he will find/ preserve/ save it.   It will affect your identity, both now and in eternity.    

Jesus said it several different ways, or the writers understood it with different words.  Matthew records that if one loses his life for Christ's sake, he "finds it" 10.39; 16.25.  Matthew also records that the one who "endures to the end will be saved" 10.22; 24.13.  Luke records that he who loses his life for Christ's sake "will save it" 9.24.  And in Luke 17.33, it says that "he who loses his life will preserve it."  Mark 8.35 tells us that if one "loses his life for My [Christ's] sake and the gospel, they will save it."  The word "life" is the Greek word for "soul" being "psuche."  I think soul is telling here, because how can one lose his soul for Christ and the gospel?  Some of my Free Grace brethren would say that soul speaks of physical life, but I think it speaks of one's identity or being.  By losing yourself for Christ and the gospel, one actually finds themselves.  This is a kind of salvation (or sanctification) that one will obtain if they endure to the end of tribulation.

People will make choices that causes them to lose themselves.   They may feel worthless, or hopeless.  They may become suicidal.  (I’m not talking about bipolar people here.)  I believe this is what Jesus is saying about believers who don’t persevere in tribulation.  They seek to save themselves from trial and conflict, but in effect lose themselves.  But those who persevere in the faith in the trials of life will find, preserve, or save themselves. He who endures to the end (the trial or tribulation) will be saved: His life will have meaning and approval before God.    

Consider Jesus' words:  "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich).”   Revelation 2:9 (NKJV)

Also consider: "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you."  1 Timothy 4:16

Treasure in Heaven--a question of quantity

"One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have  treasure  in heaven;" Mark 10.21

Is it okay to be motivated by greater reward in heaven to go beyond what might seem reasonable?

I wonder about the quantity of it.  If you have two godly people, both serving God, but one chooses to have less material things and give more for spiritual things, wouldn't he have more treasure in heaven than the other?

I've heard it said that the issue is the motivation behind one's giving and labor that will make a difference.  Obviously, a person with more resources could give more than one with less.  Of course a person with less resources may devote his life in service to God, while the person with more does not devote his life to God in the same way.  But if reward is based on what one has--which the story about the poor widow and her mites reveals--then a poor person may be giving more than a wealthy person.  

I do think it's possible for a person to choose to go beyond what might be expected of him.  Is a person properly motivated if he chooses to give more, time and resources, for the work of God, than a person who has equal time and resources but gives less, though properly motivated? 

It's hard to draw a line between treasure in heaven and getting the wants of this life.  People will get themselves into a financial bind with the house and cars they buy, and then be limited in giving money, or time--because they have to work more to pay for the things they want and got.  They may be properly motivated in the time and resources they do have and give for the work of God, but if they would have been more limiting in getting the things they want, and were able to devote more time and resources for the work of God, wouldn't their treasure/ reward be greater?

Wycliffe always need money.  Should I buy that vehicle I always wanted or give more to Wycliffe Translators and buy a cheaper car?   Would my reward be greater?  If a believer who is a multimillionaire gave a few million to Wycliffe, instead of a few hundred thousand so that they could accomplish all the translations they project to do, wouldn't the reward be greater for the multimillionaire?

I think this is a difficult issue.  But I do think there must be a greater reward for the one who chooses to give more than he could, even if it is motivated by a greater reward.  It's the right kind of reward to seek, and so I would think God would be pleased if the motivation is heavenly rewards. One could devote more time and resources towards the acquisition of temporal things--unless that has as its aim to advance the work of God.  No one knows where he's at or what he's achieved, it can only be an expectation.  God only knows.

"41  Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many [who] [were] rich put in much.  42  Then one  poor   widow  came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans.  43  So He called His disciples to [Himself] and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this  poor   widow  has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury;  44  "for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."  Mark 12

The Time of the 2 witnesses in Revelation 11

The Two Witnesses are said to prophesy 1260 days in Revelation 11.3, and their death would appear to be after the "second woe," which would be the 6th trumpet (5.13; 9.12; 11.14).  

How does chapter 10 fit in between the 2nd woe (trumpet 6) and the revelation about the 2 witnesses?

It seems like Chapter 10 is just a parenthesis about the "mystery of God" being finished with the 7th trumpet, 10.7, and about the "little book" that contains prophecy, vs 11.  

After the second woe has been revealed, it is at that point a flashback takes place concerning the 2 witnesses, whose role is revealed, and then their death is back to the time left off.  

Revelation 11.2 speaks of the 42 months that Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, then vs. 3 says the 2 witnesses will prophesy 1260 days.  I guess my thinking is that during that time, there will be a witness in Jerusalem, a thorn in the side--so to speak--of those who occupy the city and the "Beast."  The 1260 days are the same length of time given in Rev 12.6 for the "woman" being protected in the wilderness, and I would think most would see that as the second half of the "Week" (the great tribulation)--just like the 42 months in 11.2 is the second half.  

It has been asked...how can the 2 witnesses lie dead in the street for 3 1/2 days after the end of the gentiles' trampling underfoot the city--if the 1260 days of the 2 witnesses are the same time as the 42 months of gentiles' occupation of Jerusalem?  Good question. Maybe the 42 months and 1260-days-references are to identify the particular period involved, but maybe the events associated with them aren't exactly 1260 days. Like Maybe the witnesses go at it for 1256 1/2 days, are killed, and 3 1/2 days later, they rise from the dead, followed by a great earthquake that kills 7000 which contributes to the end of the gentiles' dominance of the city.

Other than the flashback idea after the second woe, the use of 42 months and 1260 days for what appears as the second half of the Week in all the other references is primarily why I would tend to place the 1260 days of the 2 witnesses at the same time. 

Even though life on earth will be difficult for those who take the Mark because of the trumpets, it doesn't cause them to repent (9.21)--though we do see a positive response from the earthquake in 11.13, and it doesn't keep them from eventually assembling for war, so maybe they can rejoice and send gifts over the death of the 2 witnesses.  Maybe there is a respite from destruction after the 6th trumpet is complete.  I still wonder if there will be some normalcy for those who follow the beast even near to the end.  I remember John Walvoord believed that there would be a degree of normalcy for those who follow the beast. Walvoord also believed, at least at one time, that Revelation chapters 6 through 19 is a concentrated prophecy of the last 3 1/2 years.  

Concerning normalcy for those who follow the beast, I think we do see this in Babylon the Great--until it is destroyed (I don't know when that will be--I know some believe that happens in 2 stages because of Rev 16.19).