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If we have to “endure” to be saved, as in go to heaven saved this would end up being a works based salvation and it would give a man something to boast about (“I endured to enter heaven”). This would make grace null and void Paul tells us in Romans 11:6 “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” See Ephesians 2:8-9.

The questions is what “end” is Jesus referring to in verse 22, the believer’s life or the end of an age or perhaps city? In Matthew 24:13 and Mark 13:13 we have the same exact wording. In these passage it seems Jesus is referring to the end of the age or this tribulation point in time. Therefore, He is referring to physical salvation of the body, notice the words “flesh be saved”, and not the soul:

1. Matthew 24:22 “And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.”

2. Mark 13:20 “And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.”

This time of great tribulation that never was and never will be again, was also spoken of by the prophets:

1. Joel 2:2: “A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hatsh not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.”

2. Jeremiah 30:7 “Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.”

3. Daniel 12:1 “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.”

   1. The ones in the book here in the “great tribulation” as this verse 21 here mentions are the saints spoke of in Revelation 7:14 “And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

As a believer, we won’t know the day or the hour but we will know the season. In 1 Thessalonians 5:3 Paul says it won’t overtake us as a thief and here in verse 33 Jesus says we wi

Just like in Noah’s day the unbelievers won’t be ready for the coming of Jesus when the door is shut on eternity and His wrath is poured out.

This isn’t just for believers, this is for unbelievers alike. This is also key to understand as Jesus speaks of an evil servant below. In Mark’s account it is recorded in 13:37 Jesus said “And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”

A Christian won’t be like a goodman that isn’t watching, the “thief” won’t take us unware. ”But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.”

1. The day will still be a thief to us as Jesus says “that day and hour knoweth no man” but we won’t be overtaken by it like an evil servant or non-believer.

Here Jesus contrasts two individuals and puts forth the question who are they and He then goes on to list their characteristics. We can ask ourselves what describes a Christian here? Can a Christian be both? I believe the wise servant is the Christian but before their coming to Christ. Once we come to Christ we are no longer labeled servants see Galatians 4:6-7 and John 15:15.

Verse 44 tells us to watch,which we are to do as Paul parallels this in 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 but a Christian will not have the day overtake them as a thief “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”

A blessed servant parallels that of the Christian in Philipians 1:6 it says that good work in us will keep going until Jesus returns, the day of Jesus Christ: “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”

In context we read a comparison to Noah’s day in verse 37-39 about people being taken unware. This passage is warning servants to watch and not be taken unaware. The evil servants just like the non-believers in Noah’s day are taken unware when judgement comes.

These don’t seem to be believers who “lost their salvation” or at risk of it as a believer is no longer called a servant according to Galatians 4:6-7 and John 15:15.

Verse 48 and 49 sound similar to what 2 Peter 3:3-4 says will happen in the last days “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”

1. The evil servant also walks after his own lusts beating his fellowservants, eating and drinking with the drunken.

2. The evil servant seems to have a similar heart to what Peter says. Here we read in verse 48 “My lord delayeth his coming” which seemingly parallels 2 Peter 3:4 “where is the promise of his coming”

This wicked servant is cast into outer darkness or hell (Matthew 8:12, 13:42, 22:13, 24:30 and Luke 13:28).