Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus, “sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that you be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and you shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many”, and in chapter twenty-four and verse twelve of his book Matthew writes how Jesus shared why, “the love of many shall wax cold” where we read:
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
The verse reads, “And because iniquity shall abound, ...” Matthew began with the words, “and because” which means “and consequently, since and on account that” “iniquity” which means “wickedness, ignorance, contempt and violation of the law of God” “shall abound” or “will increase and multiply”. Matthew shared how Jesus presented the idea of “violation of God's law, wickedness and evil” growing exceedingly in the days before His coming.
The verse goes on to say, “... the love of many shall wax cold.” Matthew added Jesus' words, “the love” or “the affection, good will, benevolence and unconditional brotherly love” “of many” which means “of a large and great number of people” “shall wax cold” or “will be chilled, cooled by breathing and wane or fade away”. Jesus said the effect of “iniquity” abounding would be that “unconditional brotherly love” will “fade away”.
When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see the consequences for the growth of “wickedness and evil” which will occur in the days prior to Jesus' return and the end of the world. God knew “evil and evil acts” would be more abundant before Jesus' return to the earth, and almost daily we discover more and more ungodly ways. Though these things shall come to pass, God still desires to have a relationship with people through His Son Jesus. Jesus died for the sins of every person, and the only way to continue with God for ever and ever is to have a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. All who are wise will meditate upon these Jesus' words and align themselves with Him before these things come to pass, but woe be to the person who ignores them.
Next time Matthew writes how Jesus declares, “he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
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Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
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