NO MATTER HOW YOU SAY IT…

NO MATTER HOW YOU PUT IT…

Massive riots in France.

Massive riots in Israel.

Massive riots in Ireland.

Riots around the world in 2023.

WHERE IS THIS COMING FROM?

New International Version
Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,

New Living Translation
Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.

English Standard Version
And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.

Berean Standard Bible
Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.

Berean Literal Bible
And because lawlessness is to be multiplied, the love of the many will grow cold.

King James Bible
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

New King James Version
And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

New American Standard Bible
And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold.

Amplified Bible
Because lawlessness is increased, the love of most people will grow cold.

The world is falling into mayhem and madness. Is this a recent phenomenon, or is it a recurring anarchy?

The Bible verses, posted above, are from a prophetic section of the New Testament book of Matthew.

This, alone, would not be a harbinger of things to come – or, in fact, of things now occurring. But if you read Chapter twenty-four, you will find that this is just one feature of many which define the Last Days, which are occurring concurrently and growing in intensity – worldwide, which would be a harbinger. Listen and read carefully:

Matthew 24:3. “As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

Matthew 24:4, “Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.”

• Deception in the Churches: Matthew 24:5.
  • “For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.”

• Widespread wars and global conflicts: Matthew 24:6, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Verse 7. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.”

• An increase in widespread famines and earthquakes: Matthew 24:6,
  • “There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.”

• Worldwide religious persecution: Matthew 24:9,
  • “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.”

• Worldwide Christian apostasy and hatreds: Matthew 24:10,
  • “At that time, many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,”

• Worldwide rise of false, satanic and ‘new age’ religions: Matthew 24:11,
  • “and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.”

• Worldwide rise of perversion, debauchery, sexual deviancy: Matthew 24:12,
  • “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, verse 13, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

• Matthew 24:14,
  • “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
    

NOW, THE GOOD NEWS

“I have said these things to you, that in me, you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – Jesus, John 16:33.

Your Sorrow Will Turn into Joy

“A little while, and you will no longer see Me; and again, a little while, and you will see Me.” Some of His disciples said to one another, “What does He mean when He tells us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again, a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I am going to My Father’?” So, they were saying, “What does He mean when He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is talking about.” Jesus knew that they wanted to ask Him, so He said to them, “Are you wondering among yourselves about what I meant when I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me, and again a little while, and you will see Me’? I assure you and most solemnly say to you, that you will weep and grieve [in great mourning], but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. A woman, when she is in labor, has pain because her time [to give birth] has come; but when she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of her joy that a child has come into the world. So for now you are in grief; but I will see you again, and [then] your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away from you your [great] joy. (John 16:16-24 – The Amplified Version).

Prayer Promises

“In that day, you will not [need to] ask Me about anything. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name [as My representative], He will give you. Until now, you have not asked [the Father] for anything in My name; but now ask and keep on asking, and you will receive, so that your joy may be full and complete.

“I have told you these things in figurative language (veiled language, proverbs); the hour is now coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in My name, and I am not saying to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf [because it will be unnecessary]; for the Father Himself [tenderly] loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from the Father. I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”

His disciples said, “Ah, now You are speaking plainly to us and not in figures of speech! Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; because of this we believe [without any doubt] that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now [at last] believe? Take careful notice: an hour is coming, and has arrived, when you will all be scattered, each to his own home, leaving Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. I have told you these things, so that in Me, you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] (John 16:23-33 – The Amplified Version).

Dear friends, we know that there are troubling times in this world. Do not fall prey to them. Set your mind on the things above, and live.

Hear the words of our Lord and be at peace:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here”. (Jesus – John 14:27-31, English Standard Version).

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Here is a sermon and message from Gary Hamrick, pastor of Cornerstone Chapel, Leesburg, Virginia, which will put an exclamation point on the ideas contained in this post. (click this link:  HABAKUKK ).