Matthew chapter 24 is Jesus’ detailed description of what the end times will look like. Included is this sobering statement: “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” (Mt. 24:12)(NKJ). The word ‘love’ here is agape which means the ‘God-kind’ of sacrificial love present only in those who are in Christ. The Greek for ‘many’ is polos which actually means most or the major portion. What Jesus is clearly saying here is this; In the last days the love of most Christians will grow cold due to the deception of false prophets and wide-spread lawlessness. This is a staggering statement! He follows this up with the next verse “But he who endures to the end will be saved.”(Mt 24:13)
In my younger days as an incoming freshman at a challenging engineering college I listened as the Dean addressed the newcomers. He said “take notice of the person on your left and the person on your right. If you graduate four years from now, they won’t. That turned out to be more than true. Out of 55 students in my chosen discipline only 7 of us graduated. Now let’s think of Jesus’ statement. An astute Christian Pastor could say to his congregation ; “Take notice of the person on your left and on your right. If you, in spite of great deception and lawlessness, endure to the end when Jesus returns to gather you to Himself, they won’t.” Most Christians won’t make it!
Jesus, through the apostle John sent a letter to the local church at Ephesus. What He told them was that their first love had grown cold, just like He said will happen to the end-times church. “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember, therefore, from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place – unless you repent. (Rev. 2:4-5)
Don’t let anyone deceive you. The last-days church is in for the greatest trial it has ever faced or will face again. We have all the tools we need to overcome and be victorious. Simply knowing that most professing Christians will fail the challenge should strengthen your resolve. Keep on studying your bible and growing in your faith. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world!
Maranatha, Jim