We begin by discussing the implications of the endurance that Jesus here links to salvation. This endurance means that those who trust in Christ during the tribulation will refuse to take the mark of the Beast. The "gospel of the kingdom" is the same gospel of Jesus Christ that all Christians believe. Those who steadfastly confess this gospel will endure to the end. We reject the claim by some that the gospel of the kingdom is a different gospel than the gospel of grace that the church is always to believe. Matthew 24:15 speaks of the abomination of desolation which is predicted in Daniel 9:27. We discuss the meaning and implications of this prophecy. We give many reasons why Bible prophecy like this should be taken literally. Meaning is determined by the Spirit-inspired biblical authors, not the readers of the Bible. It is our job to understand that meaning.