Matt 24: 9“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.
This verse is often used by SDAs as proof that they will be the ones persecuted.
But is this really what it says?
Matthew 24 is a fascinating chapter. It talks about the destruction of the temple, and the end of the age, and at times both of these seem mixed together.
Adherents to post and pre rapture, post and pre tribulation all have differing views of this chapter, and this article is not about any of those, it is about the use of this verse by SDAs referring to their supposed persecution.
Just for the record, I am a pan tribulationist. I look forward to the coming of Jesus, and I will observe whether it is pan or post trib, etc. with great interest. It will all pan out in the end. Jesus knows what He is doing!
Despite the fact this verse is not referring to SDAs, but Christians in general, SDAs have grabbed this verse and run with it.
From the time of Christ, His followers have died willingly as a witness for Him. The Apostles, all but one, were martyred for Him. Many died in Rome. Many have died right throughout history since. And they still die today. Did they die for a day? No, they died for their Saviour.
In some countries today prisons contain Christians, whose only crime is that. They are Christians. Christianity is the most persecuted of all the world’s religions. This verse really applies to what has happened, and will continue to do so, until the end.
Does this verse contain any reference to worship on a particular day being the cause of their persecution?
Here is some context.
Matthew 24: 3As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
9“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10And then many will fall awaya and betray one another and hate one another. 11And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Unless I have missed it, there is no reference to a particular denomination. In fact there is a warning against cults, and false prophets!
Light of Christ 