Matthew 24:12-13 “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
Have you known people who seemed to start their faith with a bang, and then they seemed to fade away? I know I have met people like this. Have you? What causes people to grow cold in their faith?
At the end of time as we know it, before the new heaven and new earth, there will be a great time of turmoil here on the earth. Great signs in heaven and on earth will give people the opportunity to turn to the LORD and be reconciled with Him, but most will not heed the signs. The will instead become locked in their own rebellion.
And one of the reasons for this getting locked will be the increase in wickedness. Things are going to get even more wicked than they are now. Imagine the most depraved behavior being widespread and pervasive. That is what it will be like, only worse.
There are places right now where sex slaves can be bought and sold, used and abused, and all for a profit! Drug use is rampant, and crime and violence are given free reign. Nothing is out of bounds in these places, nothing except the Gospel.
In these places, civilization takes a break. Barbarism is king. There are no legal authorities except at the end of a club or gun. The strongest wins. Evolution at its finest.
But these are isolated pockets in a world that normally runs by some set of rules to which most people adhere. Most societies at least function. Where dictators rule, look out! Abuse is sure to come.
In our text, the world as we know it is wrapping up. Judgments are being parceled out. We don’t know the timing of the events of this text. It could be looking forward to the destruction of Jerusalem that took place in 70AD. It could be looking forward to the judgments at the end of the world. We just don’t know.
Some of the text points to the short-term fulfillment of these words, perhaps in only 40 years or so from the time Jesus was speaking. But some of these words seem to be speaking about a much greater and more final event. I can’t parcel out which words fit with which event.
Perhaps the events of 70AD foreshadow the events that will take place right before the new heaven and earth are established.
But in either case, wickedness has a dampening effect on spiritual growth. This is true personally and in a society at large. When sin is given freedom to rule, societies fall. It is the restraining effect of righteousness that holds societies together, often the influence of the Church and believers who make the difference.
So what happens when wickedness abounds? Our text tells us of a cooling of spiritual fervor when wickedness increases. I have seen this in my own lifetime, and even in my own life. When wickedness, both around me and in my own spiritual walk, it is hard to keep focused and burning for the Lord.
Have you ever noticed your waning spiritual fervor? Was there an increase in wickedness? If so, then we need to be mindful of this, and when it happens, put more attention and effort into our relationships with Christ. We need to draw in closer, pray more, fellowship more, worship more, be in the Word more.
The Arnold Journey 