Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
Matthew 24:12-14
Jesus is still answering the disciple’s questions; “When will these things be and what will be the sign of Your coming?” In our text Jesus gave them three important things for them (and us) to watch for. First, He said the lawlessness will abound; second, the love of many will grow cold; and third, the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world. All three of these signs are being played in the cities of America and the world as I write.
Lawlessness is rebellion against all authority. Not so bright people shake their fists at God and dare Him to act. They reject moral laws that will help them to live long and happy lives. They reject civil laws and call for the defunding of the police in their cities and communities.
Living For The Devil?
Jesus said that because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. How do you reconcile these two things being connected? Could it be that when one member of a family joins the rebels that they are rejected by the rest? Could it be that because the family holds to the total truth of God’s Word and remains faithful to Him that those who want to live for the devil, and live like the devil, reject the family? Could it be that the love for God, the supreme authority grows cold because the lawlessness in their hearts abounds? Just asking.
Jesus said that before “the end” comes that “the gospel of the kingdom” shall be preached in all the world. When I was a boy the family would gather around the radio to listen to the latest news about the war (that is WWII). Then when I was a teenager, we would watch our 12 inch black and white TV. Now, our church sends out the gospel via the internet and people who have internet connections can watch in any part of the world. That is both exciting and scary because both the good and bad can be received. The good is that the gospel is going forth to a broader audience than ever in the history of mankind. What does it all mean? Could it mean that we are closer to the coming of our Lord then we imagine? Could it mean that we have just little longer to endure? Something to think about, don’t you think?
