LOVE WILL GROW COLD
Another sign of THE LAST DAYS is found in Matthew24:12,13, “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.”
We, the Church, The Body of Christ, have been moved so far from the love of Christ, that we cannot even imagine what this verse is actually saying and what it means.
The love between the Saved and the Lost seems to be practically irreconcilable in this age.
While the love between members of the Body of Christ can be cordial, it is often lukewarm at best, strained and competitive in many instances and openly hostile, abusive and predatory at it worst.
This can be seen in church business meetings, counseling sessions, pastor-congregant relationships and in hushed whispers in the hallways of churches.
We have no concept of how the early church, under great ridicule, humiliation and persecution could grow at such an astounding rate. But, it was the love of the Church for one another and compassion for the world around them which drew people, from all walks of life, to Christ.
This ‘growing cold’ is what is spoken of during the breaking of the 5th Seal of the tribulation (Times of Distress).
Jesus says, in Matthew 24:9-12
- You will be killed
- You will be hated because of Jesus
- Many will fall away from the faith
- Many will betray one another and hate one another
- False prophets will arise and mislead many
- People’s love will grow cold
“Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.”
We have seen the rise and fall of Christlike love within the Church, over the centuries. But this occurrence, in concert with the great worldwide apostasy, the falling away from God and The Gospel of Jesus Christ with false teachings, we may be seeing the fulfillment of this 5th tribulation seal judgment.
WHAT ARE WE TO DO
These can be viewed a desperate times. But, in reality, the Bible has warned us ahead of time and provided us with the means to overcome the evil that is in the world and to endure, successfully, to the end!
OUR BATTLE CRY
Ephesians 8:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
Verse 11. “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
Verse 12. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Verse 13. “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
STAND FIRM
Verse 14. “Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, verse 15, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; verse 16, in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Verse 17, And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Verse 18. “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.”
These are historic times. A great shift in the history of the world in underway. One could even accurately say, this is a shift of cosmic proportions. It is time to prepare and to act.
It will no longer suffice to continue with “business as usual”. It is time to take up our cross and truly follow close to Him!
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
Whitestone Fellowship 