Offense

[SpiritSong]

Matthew 24:9-14:

9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 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.

 

These verses show us the lead up to Christ's return. It seems as though offense plays a crucial part on whether we will endure or not.

Why do you think Christ even mentions offense? Isn't it just a natural reaction to the yuckiness we are all bombarded by on a daily basis? 

I know it's offensive to me!

How dangerous can something like offense be? How does it then lead to betrayal?

And what is the secret to enduring all of this?

Thoughts, please 🙂

Edited August 23, 2023 by SpiritSong
Grammer

[AdHoc]

9 hours ago, SpiritSong said:

Matthew 24:9-14:

9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 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.

 

These verses show us the lead up to Christ's return. It seems as though offense plays a crucial part on whether we will endure or not.

Why do you think Christ even mentions offense? Isn't it just a natural reaction to the yuckiness we are all bombarded by on a daily basis? 

I know it's offensive to me!

How dangerous can something like offense be? How does it then lead to betrayal?

And what I'd the secret to enduring all of this?

Thoughts, please 🙂

Our Lord Jesus was asked three questions in 24:3. In Matthew He answers the questions how they apply to the three peoples on earth. Let's define that. From Adam to Abraham we have the Nations. Then, from Jacob God chose out one Nation to be special to Him and from which He would launch the recovery of man and the earth. This was the Nation of Israel. Then, from the moment He died on the cross, Jesus became the seed with which God raised a new Nation that had its origin in Christ (Jn.12:24). Ephesians 2:15 tells us that this is a New Creation and that it is made of persons from OUT OF BOTH the Nations and the Nation of Israel. Theses three Peoples, the Nations, the Nation of Israel and the New Man.

In Matthew 24 and 25 our Lord answers the three questions to each of the three peoples. First He answers the Jews. You will notice that every thing from Mathew 24:1 to 31 is Jewish. The Temple, The disciples, Judea, Jerusalem, Daniel - a prophet to Judah and Israel, the Abomination of Desolation, the Sabbath, our Lord Jesus breaking the clouds over the mount of Olives and Christ sending His angels to collect those scattered to the "four winds" - are all Jewish.

In verse 9 our Lord outlines the troubles that the disciples will face when preaching Jesus. The term "all nations" is there, not to designate every Nation. It means that because Jews are dispersed throughout all the nations, the disciples will encounter persecution there FROM THE JEWS there. See Galatians 2:6-9.

In verse 10 the gospel has taken effect. SOME Jews are converted and SOME refuse the gospel. The hate for Jesus name will now cause persecution WITHIN THE JEWISH FAMILIES. The Greek language specialists tell us that the meaning of the word we render "offended" (Skandalizo) means "causing or putting a stumbling block" in front of people. Now notice the grammar. It is the "scandalized" or, "the offended" who will betray and who will hate. And Acts of the Apostles records the hate leveled by the Jews towards the Apostles. In this case, the "offended" are non-believing Jews who thoroughly reject Jesus, and any family member who embraces Jesus can expect a tirade of hate, ejection from the family and ejection from the synagogues.

There is a very practical aspect to this as well. The Roman Church, which started with Constantine in about 313 AD, emphasized that the Jews were responsible for the death of Jesus, and mounted unabated hate towards the Jews. The Jews now hate the Christian more, blaming then for the terrible things that have been done to the Jews. The words of this part of our Lord's prophecy were fulfilled very accurately.

[Dennis1209]

38 minutes ago, AdHoc said:

Our Lord Jesus was asked three questions in 24:3. In Matthew He answers the questions how they apply to the three peoples on earth. Let's define that. From Adam to Abraham we have the Nations. Then, from Jacob God chose out one Nation to be special to Him and from which He would launch the recovery of man and the earth. This was the Nation of Israel. Then, from the moment He died on the cross, Jesus became the seed with which God raised a new Nation that had its origin in Christ (Jn.12:24). Ephesians 2:15 tells us that this is a New Creation and that it is made of persons from OUT OF BOTH the Nations and the Nation of Israel. Theses three Peoples, the Nations, the Nation of Israel and the New Man.

In Matthew 24 and 25 our Lord answers the three questions to each of the three peoples. First He answers the Jews. You will notice that every thing from Mathew 24:1 to 31 is Jewish. The Temple, The disciples, Judea, Jerusalem, Daniel - a prophet to Judah and Israel, the Abomination of Desolation, the Sabbath, our Lord Jesus breaking the clouds over the mount of Olives and Christ sending His angels to collect those scattered to the "four winds" - are all Jewish.

In verse 9 our Lord outlines the troubles that the disciples will face when preaching Jesus. The term "all nations" is there, not to designate every Nation. It means that because Jews are dispersed throughout all the nations, the disciples will encounter persecution there FROM THE JEWS there. See Galatians 2:6-9.

In verse 10 the gospel has taken effect. SOME Jews are converted and SOME refuse the gospel. The hate for Jesus name will now cause persecution WITHIN THE JEWISH FAMILIES. The Greek language specialists tell us that the meaning of the word we render "offended" (Skandalizo) means "causing or putting a stumbling block" in front of people. Now notice the grammar. It is the "scandalized" or, "the offended" who will betray and who will hate. And Acts of the Apostles records the hate leveled by the Jews towards the Apostles. In this case, the "offended" are non-believing Jews who thoroughly reject Jesus, and any family member who embraces Jesus can expect a tirade of hate, ejection from the family and ejection from the synagogues.

There is a very practical aspect to this as well. The Roman Church, which started with Constantine in about 313 AD, emphasized that the Jews were responsible for the death of Jesus, and mounted unabated hate towards the Jews. The Jews now hate the Christian more, blaming then for the terrible things that have been done to the Jews. The words of this part of our Lord's prophecy were fulfilled very accurately.

Excellent and well-explained response. I want to add something indirectly related to the O.P. thread.

I have not researched it, but I suspect it has gone on for two thousand years and appears to grow like wildfire. In public, T.V., and everywhere, when people get injured, frustrated, emotional, or want to emphasize a point, what filth immediately comes out of their mouth?

They use God’s name in vain or using “Jesus Christ” flippantly. I have never heard Allah Dam, Buddha Dam, or any other false deity disparaged. Why is that?

As we know, the history and current affairs of Christians in Muslim and communist countries, and the persecution of both Jews and Christians, it is growing worse. In free countries, an attack on Jews and Christians is forming. In America, high government officials consider Christians domestic terrorists, a basket of deplorables, and are the problem with the acceptance of abominable lifestyles. President Obama on Muslim soil even stated, “We are no longer a Christian nation, but…”

We are witnessing an ecumenical progression of the one true church (Catholicism), with sects of Islam being called Chrislam.

Ecclesiastes 1:9 (KJV) The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

In other words, history repeats itself. Could a recurrence of the crusades and inquisitions lead to an accepted one-world religion as in medieval times again? Does Pope Francis look like a lamb and speak like a dragon?

We live in exciting times.

[Michael37]

16 minutes ago, Dennis1209 said:

In other words, history repeats itself. Could a recurrence of the crusades and inquisitions lead to an accepted one-world religion as in medieval times again? Does Pope Francis look like a lamb and speak like a dragon?

Some thoughts these questions provoke:

The catch-cry is "diversity". 

Diversity is idolised as the modern panacea.

Panacea is a word that means “a remedy for all ills or difficulties” or “cure-all” ¹. The term is often used to describe a solution that can solve all problems related to a particular issue ². However, it is most often used to decry a remedy that falls far short of what some claim it can do ¹. [BingChat]

Inclusivity is another power-word in play.

 

Many movies and TV series have plots that include religious content in some form, though not always in a favourable light. 

 

Media supremacy is indicated as a feature of the beast from the sea.

 

(Rev 13:2)  Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.

(Rev 13:5)  And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months.

 

Technology + Ideology = Mediology

 

As always, the conflict is between good and evil.

[BeyondET]

12 hours ago, SpiritSong said:

Matthew 24:9-14:

9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 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.

 

These verses show us the lead up to Christ's return. It seems as though offense plays a crucial part on whether we will endure or not.

Why do you think Christ even mentions offense? Isn't it just a natural reaction to the yuckiness we are all bombarded by on a daily basis? 

I know it's offensive to me!

How dangerous can something like offense be? How does it then lead to betrayal?

And what I'd the secret to enduring all of this?

Thoughts, please 🙂

Many will be offended of the Gospel. A great falling away.

Only a couple of translations use the word offended.

[Dennis1209]

1 hour ago, Michael37 said:

Some thoughts these questions provoke:

The catch-cry is "diversity". 

Diversity is idolised as the modern panacea.

Panacea is a word that means “a remedy for all ills or difficulties” or “cure-all” ¹. The term is often used to describe a solution that can solve all problems related to a particular issue ². However, it is most often used to decry a remedy that falls far short of what some claim it can do ¹. [BingChat]

Inclusivity is another power-word in play.

 

Many movies and TV series have plots that include religious content in some form, though not always in a favourable light. 

 

Media supremacy is indicated as a feature of the beast from the sea.

 

(Rev 13:2)  Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.

(Rev 13:5)  And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months.

 

Technology + Ideology = Mediology

 

As always, the conflict is between good and evil.

You bet ya! Said another way, liberal thinking of equality, diversity, and inclusiveness quickly replaces traditional moral principles and values as this generation passes. Today's major media is not objective reporting but misdirection and opinion shaping.

As you rightly say, the battle is between good and evil. I see that battle greatly intensifying as our days are progressing.

[Mr. M]

15 hours ago, SpiritSong said:

How dangerous can something like offense be? How does it then lead to betrayal?

And what I'd the secret to enduring all of this?

Thoughts, please 🙂

The offense is with them that place stumbling blocks in the path to Christ. 

How often has something been important enough to be stated twice in the same Gospel?

Matthew 

5:29  And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee:

for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish,

and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee:

for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish,

and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

18:7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come,

but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!

8 If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you.

It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than

having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. 

9 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you.

It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than

having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.

So, what is the significance of "cutting off a right hand,

or plucking out a right eye" regarding this topic of offense.

skandalon [G4625] ; skandalizo [G4624]

[Who me]

20 hours ago, SpiritSong said:

Why do you think Christ even mentions offense? Isn't it just a natural reaction to the yuckiness we are all bombarded by on a daily basis? 

No it is the otherwise around, nonchristiaans will be, are offended by the preaching of the gospel, by the qua.ity of Christians lives is offensive as it shows up the immorality of their lives and they are offended.

In the UK laws are being formed that make it a criminal offence to offend someone.

This is aimed  at protecting gays and against Christians.American hate laws will be twisted to do the same.

[FJK]

41 minutes ago, Who me said:

In the UK laws are being formed that make it a criminal offence to offend someone.

To be rather selectively enforced I presume.

[Who me]

2 hours ago, FJK said:

To be rather selectively enforced I presume.

It is o lying Christianity that is offensive  to the ungodly .