Matthew 24:9

Then shall they deliver you up into tribulation, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many stumble, and shall deliver up one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall arise, and shall lead many astray. And because inquiry shall be multiplied, the love of many shall wax cold.

Conditions outlined in these verses were fulfilled before the destruction of Jerusalem; and, without doubt, the same conditions will prevail before the second coming. The rising persecution and hatred from without and the deteriorating conditions within the body of his disciples were to mark the onset of both events. That called for a strong and special admonition from the Lord for his true disciples to remain faithful no matter what happened. Christ plainly foresaw that the same evil influences which had clouded his personal ministry, and through which the entire nation of the chosen people had been misled and turned against their Messiah, would not cease to operate following his resurrection and the establishment of the kingdom, but would be present in perpetuity.