Jesus made a profound statement concerning the last days. The statement is from (Matthew 24:12): "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." First, we must take this passage as a sign and warning of what it will be like in the last days. Next, simply add this sign to other passages relating to the last days, and if you do your homework, you will find the list is phenomenal. (I hope to do a blog on the last days subject matter sometime soon).
The first part of Jesus' statement "Iniquity shall abound" is easy to realize as we see the abortion rate not only skyrocketing, but also becoming more favored by society. Why is this important? The Book of Proverbs mentions seven things God hates. Number three is the shedding of innocent blood. What is more innocent than an infant in its mother's womb. The book "The Mystery of the Trinity Revealed" proves that life begins at conception.
You might find it interesting that the number one thing God hates is a proud look. You can readily see how pride is being manifested in almost every area of life today. If you are a fan of any type sport, it is easy to spot, and even some parades boast of this type expression. In some cases, a proud look might be justified as an accomplishment achieved, but not when it involves a "look at me" and "how good I am" type attitude. The Bible says to humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
We might also mention that the second thing God hates is a lying tongue--another sign easy to spot and rampant in politics, the news media, agreements between nations and other places.
So where do we see the love of many waxing cold? Well, today, just about everywhere. Road rage, gang violence, terrorism, schools, politics, neighbors, religions, news media, racial issues, late night TV, and the list goes on.
Whereby iniquity causes sickness, diseases, hatred, and a host of other bad things, love covers a multitude of sin and frees us from sickness, diseases, hatred and the like. Consider this: "If you do not love your neighbor whom you can see, how can you love God whom you cannot see?" The devil wants everyone to hate, because he is the father of hate and lies. But you my friend, do not fall into his traps. Study the Word to find yourself approved unto God and spend time in prayer even if for a few minutes. God will bless you and in these last days, you will be prepared and not deceived for whatsoever should occur.
We all take personal pride in things we accomplish. You may well be the greatest in your field, and there is nothing wrong to feel good about what you have done, it is when you allow it to overwhelm you above what you really are. The Bible specifies in Philippians 2:3, "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves." The apostle Paul stated he could boast about many things, but would not do so--then went on to say, "But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord". The Proverb declares that pride goeth before destruction and an haughty spirit before a fall. Pride is mentioned as one of the signs of the last days, whereby men will be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, unthankful... (2 Tim. 3:2).
Pride is most evident in many venues today. Athletes in sporting events display pride in various ways and the public spectacle they radiate is emulated by the younger wannabe sport enthusiast in their particular sporting genre. Not to mention the nations who no longer hold to God as their protector, but rely upon their great might of accumulated weapons, or the proud parades that now grace many nations of the world today.
The Bible says, "God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble." "Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up." Jesus said in Matthew 23:12, "Whosoever shall exalt (pride) himself shall be brought low, and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted."
The signs abound everywhere that the last days have arrived. Soon the man of sin (pride); the Antichrist, will deceptively appear on the scene. The wrath of God shall suddenly come upon the world as a snare, when they least expect it (as occurred on 9/11). The sand in the upper chamber of the hourglass is about to empty its last few grains into the lower hourglass chamber. Will you be ready when the trumpet sounds its alarm and the shout goes out to the wise virgins - "The Bridegroom Cometh" - "The Bridegroom Cometh". Will you say right now -- "My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad." - (Ps. 34:2)
"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. - (1 Peter 5:6)
