The verse in Matthew 24:13 states: “But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” This verse comes in the context of Jesus’ Olivet Discourse, where He is answering His disciples’ questions about the signs of the end times and His second coming. In this passage, Jesus warns that difficult times are coming for believers, including persecution, false prophets, lawlessness, and falling away. It will be a time of great tribulation, but Jesus encourages His followers to stand firm in their faith despite these trials. The one who perseveres through hardship and remains faithful will be saved.
There are a few key things to understand about this verse:
1. Salvation is conditioned on endurance
Jesus clearly states that salvation is for “the one who endures to the end.” Our final salvation is not unconditional or based solely on a one-time profession of faith. Receiving Christ as Savior begins the Christian life, but perseverance confirms it. Salvation is a process that continues throughout our lives. We must press on in faith and not shrink back, even when trials come. As Hebrews 3:14 states: “For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.” Salvation involves endurance.
2. The focus is enduring to “the end”
Jesus does not say enduring for a short time or enduring through some trials, but enduring to “the end.” This endurance is not temporary but lasts a lifetime. Becoming a Christian is likened to running a marathon or fighting in a grueling battle. We must make a commitment to follow Christ no matter what may come, being willing to suffer hardship and even martyrdom if called to it (Luke 14:27). Our devotion should not waver over the years. We must have tenacity to hang in there, fighting the good fight of faith to the finish line (2 Timothy 4:7).
3. The means of endurance is faith in Christ
How do we obtain the perseverance to continue in Christ to the end? Jesus said we must “stand firm to the end” (Matt. 24:13). This standing firm is possible only through dependence on Christ’s strength and power. We endure by continually trusting in His promises and relying on His grace day by day. As Paul says in Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” It is not about gutting it out in our own power, but about drawing strength from Christ. Our endurance comes through walking by faith, not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7).
4. Endurance leads to final salvation
Jesus gives a wonderful promise that “the one who endures to the end will be saved.” After enduring hardship and persecution, the finish line is salvation in God’s eternal kingdom. The endurance leads to something incredibly worthwhile – salvation from sin and death forever. This final salvation involves resurrection to new life, glorification, and eternal reward (Romans 2:7). The struggles of this life are temporary and light compared to the eternal weight of glory to come for those who endure in faith to the very end (2 Corinthians 4:17).
5. We must rely on God’s power to endure
While endurance is necessary, it does not mean we have the natural capacity to endure on our own. Our human strength and willpower will fail. Thankfully, God provides His strength, grace and power for endurance. As Philippians 1:6 says: “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” God will be faithful to help His people endure to the end. Jude 1:24 adds: “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy.” We can have assurance in God’s power to sustain us (1 Peter 1:5).
6. Endurance includes persevering in faith and good works
Enduring to the end involves persevering both in our faith and in righteous conduct. We must continue believing in Christ, but also continue obeying Him and producing good fruit in keeping with repentance (Matthew 3:8). Paul speaks of those who have “shipwrecked their faith” by swerving from a good conscience and sincere faith (1 Timothy 1:19). To endure, we must hold firmly to what we believe and live it out consistently. We persevere by clinging to Jesus and walking in His ways, amid all trials that seek to derail us.
7. Endurance requires effort but brings assurance
Endurance to the end is not passive but takes great effort and intentionality. Jesus described it as fighting, watching, striving and overcoming (Luke 13:24; Mark 13:33; Luke 13:24). We must engage in spiritual disciplines to train ourselves toward godliness (1 Timothy 4:7). But this daily exertion in the faith also brings assurance of salvation. As we actively endure in Christ, we gain confidence that we belong to Him and He will keep us (1 John 2:19). Our endurance is evidence of genuine saving faith.
8. Those who fail to endure demonstrate false faith
On the other hand, those who fail to stand firm to the end demonstrate that their faith was only superficial and temporary. As Jesus said in the Parable of the Sower, there are those who receive the gospel with initial joy but later “fall away” when trials come, showing they were not firmly rooted (Luke 8:13). A true believer will not abandon Christ in times of persecution or pressure. But false believers eventually forsake their faith when it becomes difficult or inconvenient. Endurance reveals true regeneration.
9. God gives varying measures of endurance
While endurance to the end is necessary, God does not expect the same measure of endurance from every believer. The capabilities He grants for enduring hardship and persecution vary. To one Christ follower, He may grant the endurance to undergo martyrdom. To another, the endurance to withstand chronic illness or poverty. We cannot predict our capacities for endurance in advance – whatever measure God gives is sufficient. He knows our limits and will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13).
10. The certainty of future grace helps endurance
How can we have such endurance in affliction? By setting our hope fully on the future grace to come. Paul said we can endure present trials because “this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17). James exhorts us to consider it “all joy” when we encounter various trials, for the testing of our faith will produce endurance leading to perfection and completeness (James 1:2-4). Keeping our eyes on the unfathomable eternal reward gives power to patiently endure until the end.
11. Endurance comes through relying on divine power
Endurance is not merely a matter of mental determination or willpower. Our perseverance requires accessing and depending upon divine power. As Paul says, “I labor, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me” (Colossians 1:29). God’s Spirit strengthens us from within our spirit to endure hardships (Ephesians 3:16). Furthermore, we are empowered to endure through the high-priestly prayer ministry of Jesus, who ever lives to intercede for us when we grow weary (Hebrews 7:25). We endure by relying on His power.
12. Endurance springs from our union with Christ
How does Christ’s power translate to endurance in us? Our endurance is possible because we are united to Him by faith. Jesus said: “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me” (John 15:4). As we abide in close fellowship with Jesus, the divine life flows through us giving perseverance. We endure by tapping into His indwelling life and strength. We endure by grace.
13. We must remove hindrances to endurance
While God provides the means of endurance, we also have a role to play in elimination obstacles to it. The author of Hebrews urges us to “lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely” so we can “run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). We need to deal with issues like bitterness, unforgiveness, worldly attachments, fleshly sins, anxiety, and all entrapments that hold us back from freely enduring. As we fix our eyes on Jesus and cleanse ourselves from defilement, endurance flows freely.
14. Endurance comes through the Word of God
An essential means by which God develops perseverance in our lives is through His Word. As Romans 15:4 states: “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” As we read God’s Word, we receive strength and encouragement to withstand every hardship we face. In the trials, the Bible provides wisdom, comfort, assurance of God’s presence, and motivation to keep going. Saturating our minds in Scripture provides endurance.
15. Hope fuels endurance
Perseverance requires hope to sustain it. Paul said that through Christ “we rejoice in hope of the glory of God” and this hope produces endurance during sufferings (Romans 5:2-3). As Christ’s return and our eternal redemption become clearer, it motivates us to endure to the end. Scripture encourages endurance by depicting our future heavenly home, our resurrection bodies, seeing Christ’s face, and the new creation (2 Timothy 4:8; Philippians 3:21; Revelation 22:4). Clinging to these promises gives endurance to persevere amid earth’s trials.
16. Endurance grows through trials
Endurance is not something we instantly possess in full measure. It develops in us over time as we walk with Christ, specifically as we undergo trials. Endurance is a muscle strengthened through exercise. James exhorted believers to “let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:4). There is no shortcut to depth of character. God uses problems, pressures and testings to build our persevering faith muscles so we can fulfil His purposes.
17. We endure by keeping our eyes on Jesus
A vital key to enduring is fixing the eyes of our heart fully on Christ. Hebrews 12:2-3 says we must keep “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.” As we gaze steadily at Him, Jesus’ example of enduring the cross motivates us to endure like Him. We draw strength from meditating on His sufferings for us, His love, His patient endurance, and victorious outcome. Setting our minds on Christ renews inner strength to keep going (Colossians 3:1-2).
18. Endurance requires denying self and taking up our cross
Jesus said that to follow Him in a persevering way requires denying self, taking up our cross daily, and losing our lives (Luke 9:23). Endurance means saying no to our natural preferences, comforts, desires, fears and pride in order to say yes to God’s will. It means laying down our rights, dreams and very lives for His sake knowing that His way is best. We endure by embracing the cross God appoints for us, submitting our wills fully to Christ through the power of the Spirit.
19. Our endurance encourages others to endure
Our endurance through faith in trials serves to encourage our brothers and sisters to keep pressing on as well. Paul said God comforts us so that we may be able “to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Cor. 1:4). People are inspired to endure when they see fellow believers patiently trusting God amid the severest of troubles and continuing faithful to the end. Shared stories of endurance build up the church (1 Thessalonians 3:2).
20. Endurance proves our faith and love are genuine
Steadfast endurance through the testing of various trials demonstrates that our faith is real and our love for Christ authentic. As Jesus said, “because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:12-13). Endurance shows that our love has not grown cold but fiercely burns for Christ. It proves that our living faith is “genuine and more precious than gold” (1 Peter 1:7). Our endurance validates our enduring relationship with Him.
21. God disciplines those He loves to enhance endurance
God often uses loving discipline to instill endurance in His children. As Hebrews 12:7 states: “It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” Though painful for the moment, God’s discipline produces a “harvest of righteousness and peace” as we learn endurance (Hebrews 12:11). His training refines our character so we can share in His holiness. Therefore we should submit to discipline, trusting it develops perseverance unto maturity.
22. Endurance comes by God’s merciful provision
Even when discipline is not the direct cause, all endurance required of us is ultimately made possible by God’s abundant mercy and sustaining grace. As Jude 21 states, we are “kept for Jesus Christ” by God’s mercy and it is His mercy that enables us to “wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.” All the endurance we need comes only by God’s merciful provision as He strengthens and upholds us. He is the “God of endurance and encouragement” (Romans 15:5). Our endurance is from Him.
23. Endurance yields the reward of reigning with Christ
Enduring to the end results in the incredible privilege of reigning with Christ. Paul said “If we endure, we will also reign with him” (2 Timothy 2:12). Faithful endurance demonstrates we are worthy to share in Christ’s eternal reign. Only those willing to suffer for Him show themselves ready to exercise authority in His kingdom. Believers who finish the race with enduring faith will be granted rule over cities in the world to come (Luke 19:11-27). Let this promise strengthen endurance.
24. We must help fellow believers to endure to the end
While endurance is ultimately a work of God, we have a responsibility to help our brothers and sisters in Christ to endure to the end. We must encourage one another day after day toward faithful perseverance (Hebrews 3:13). We warn fellow believers in danger of drifting from Christ (Hebrews 2:1). We exhort each other to keep believing, laboring and hoping in God’s promises, not growing weary (Galatians 6:9). We pray for and build up others to endure joyfully to the end (Colossians 1:9-11). Our shared endurance leads to salvation.
25. We must preach the necessity of endurance
Church leaders and teachers have a responsibility to preach the necessity of endurance for salvation. Paul was faithful to teach new believers that “through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). He reminded the Ephesians that after initial conversion they must no longer live as Gentiles but put off the old self and put on the new self in Christ (Ephesians 4:17-24). Doctrine that promotes easy-believism fails to prepare believers for lifelong endurance required of disciples. Teachers must emphasize endurance.
In summary, Matthew 24:13 teaches us that the one who faithfully endures trials and stands firm in Christ until the end of his life or the end of the age will certainly receive eternal salvation. Endurance to the end in both faith and obedience is necessary evidence of real regeneration and union with Christ. God provides all the grace and strength required for endurance as we walk in dependence on Him. This endurance amid hardship demonstrates the genuineness of our belief and brings assurance of salvation. Our hope is in God’s power to help His children endure to the end.