Love Waxing Cold

I won’t link to this kind of news article, but suffice it to say that the prophecy in Matthew 24:12 is clearly coming to pass in our day.

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (emphasis added)

The news that proves this is not exclusive to today, or this year, or even this age, but it is increasing in frequency as the coldness of heart that exists in the absence of love becomes more widespread. People are more likely to cling to fear and hopelessness when they do not have the warmth of love in their hearts to sustain them. Sin has a chilling effect on the heart.

I take comfort in the promise that those who endure to the end shall be saved because it implies that we cannot be dragged down eternally without our choice. I am also comforted by the next phrase:

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (emphasis added)

UPDATE 9/25/08: I found an example where I am willing to share a link.

4 Comments

  1. And for those of us who love our fellow men/women, but reject their mythologies, where do we stand? In the .0000000001 probability that we atheists are in fact wrong, who will stand in our defence?

    Rhetorical question I know. But I am impressed with you enough to ask it.

  2. I would go with the statement made by Aslan regarding Tash in the The Last Battle (Chronicles of Narnia):

    . . . the Glorious One bent down his golden head and touched my forehead with his tongue and said, Son, thou art welcome. But I said, Alas, Lord, I am no son of thine but a servant of Tash. He answered, Child, all the service thou hast done to Tash, I account as service done to me. . . Lord, is it then true, as the Ape said, that thou and Tash are one? The Lion growled so that the earth shook (but his wrath was not against me) and said, It is false. Not because he and I are one, but because we are opposites, I take to me the services which thou hast done to him. For I and he are of such different kinds that no service which is vile can be done to me, and none which is not vile can be done to him. Therefore if any man swear by Tash and keep his oath for the oath’s sake, it is by me that he has truly sworn, though he know it not, and it is I who reward him. And if any man do a cruelty in my name, then, though he says the name Aslan, it is Tash whom he serves and by Tash his deed is accepted. (emphasis mine)

    That same principle applies to atheists, and not just to those who believe in a variation on the truth concerning God. While rejecting the “mythology” that turns out to be true would be weighed at the judgment bar, that in no way invalidates or minimizes any good works performed by an atheist.

    Who would be found standing in defense of atheists at the judgment bar? I have absolute confidence that it will be Christ, just the same as He will stand in defense of all who believe in Him. I think what might surprise you will be to see how many of your fellow men who professed their faith in Christ in this life will also testify in your behalf insofar as they are aware of your good works.

  3. Obi: Please permit me to share some of what I believe. You may not have the same religious beliefs, but it’s clear from your writing that you have a strong moral compass, and feel obligated to follow it. You care, and you act on it. That’s enough for me to “stand in your defense.” Further, my “mythology” encourages me that you’ll be provided with sufficient evidence to make a decision perhaps more informed than we could possibly make here and now. I respect you enough to believe it’s a decision you will take seriously. What’s most important (in my mind) is that you’ve made a conscious choice (even if I disagree) and abide by it, rather than approaching the matter with a “go with the flow”-type attitude.

    … and maybe the probability is higher than that? 😉

  4. I know its impossible to prove since I refuse to link to the news in question, but I want to make it clear that the news I have in mind has absolutely nothing of a religious nature to it. It is not about secularism – it is about depravity and heartlessness. (I just want to be clear about that.)

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