How does Matthew 24:12 warn us about increasing lawlessness in today's world? The Prophetic Context “Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:12) • Spoken by Jesus in the Olivet Discourse, a literal preview of conditions preceding His return (vv. 3-14). • Verse 12 sits amid warnings about deception, wars, famine, persecution, and false prophets, underscoring that moral decay is as much a sign as natural disasters or geopolitical upheavals. Key Terms Jesus Uses • “Multiplication of wickedness” – a rapid, compounded spread of open rebellion against God’s law (cf. 2 Timothy 3:1-4). • “Love… will grow cold” – agapē love, once warm and sacrificial, loses heat through neglect and compromise (cf. Revelation 2:4). Modern Echoes of Lawlessness • Normalization of sin: behaviors Scripture calls sin (Isaiah 5:20) are not only tolerated but celebrated. • Breakdown of authority: rising contempt for parents, police, teachers, governing officials (Romans 13:1-2). • Violence and indifference to life: from abortion to random street attacks (Genesis 6:11). • Digital deceit: fake news, cyber-bullying, pornography—wickedness scaling globally at internet speed. • Apostasy in churches: denial of core doctrines, moral compromise, entertainment replacing truth (Jude 4). Spiritual Consequences of Growing Lawlessness • Hardened consciences – sin no longer grieves (Ephesians 4:19). • Diminished compassion – love for neighbor replaced by self-interest (2 Timothy 3:2). • Divided fellowships – bitterness and tribalism fracture congregations (James 4:1). • Evangelistic paralysis – cold hearts lose urgency for the lost (Matthew 9:36-38). How Believers Guard Against Cold Love • Abide in Christ’s words daily (John 15:10) to keep truth blazing. • Fellowship intentionally – “let us consider how to spur one another on to love” (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Practice sacrificial service – love warms through action (Galatians 5:13). • Cultivate prayer and worship – fanning spiritual flame (Jude 20-21). • Confront sin humbly but firmly – restoring one another (Galatians 6:1). • Keep eternal perspective – “the end of all things is near; therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray” (1 Peter 4:7-8). Living With End-Times Urgency • Stay alert: “So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober” (1 Thessalonians 5:6). • Endure: “He who perseveres to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:13). • Shine: “Do all things without complaint… that you may be blameless… as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:14-15). • Proclaim: the gospel remains “the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16), the antidote to lawlessness. Matthew 24:12 is more than prediction; it is a sober warning that spreading wickedness threatens the very heartbeat of Christian love. Recognizing the signs, believers respond by clinging to truth, nurturing fervent love, and living boldly for Christ until He returns. |
    |