Hate and love. These are the forces at work in our world since the entrance of sin. If "God is love" (1 jn 4:8) Then the opposite of God is hate. A man once asked Jesus what is the greatest commandment and He responded "love the Lord your God with all thy heart...and the second is like the first...Love thy neighbor as yourself. " (Mat 22:36-39) The drastic contrast between the end time man versus the ideal man is vivid in His description of earthly relationships found in verses 9-12.
"Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you...ye shall be hated of ALL nations for my name's sake [Jesus name]" (vs. 9) I recall reading a story not many months ago in the news of a killing in the Philippines. A group of young Christians had been beheaded in the middle of the night by Muslim terrorists. What a gruesome tale and only a couple decades ago this would be unimaginable but we have seen a rapid escalation in violence, world wide, against those that teach, preach or believe in Jesus. I don't think we have gotten to the hour indicated in this part of Christ's prophecy but it is undeniable that we are rapidly heading for a day when those who bear and uphold the name of Jesus will be hated of all nations and given up to be killed.
Verse 10 indicates a group of people that will be offended by one another, shall betray one another and ultimately would come to hate one another. and this leads into verse 11 in which many false prophets will arise and deceive many. Now I may be taking a little liberty in interpreting these two scriptures but it seems to me in the context of their placement and the odd wording that this isn't speaking of the world in general. I feel these scriptures are indicating that in this time of great distress among the name sake there will be many that will turn one against another. those they formerly trusted will betray and be offended by them. and this will open the gates for false prophets to step into the body and lead many astray by adding salt to the wounds and causing even greater separation among the believers.
We must learn to forgive and love don't fall easily into the temptation of offense that escalates quickly to betrayal and hate and false doctrine. Hey, I'll be the first to admit, sometimes it's easy to be offended by church folks. But I know that I have just as much if not more wrong in me it is by the grace of God that you and I are forgiven. We need to extend that grace to those around us in the body as well. God is a God of love, if there is a man/woman in your life that is causing you to believe things about your brothers and sisters that increases separation from the body, stop listening to that false prophet! We shouldn't entertain our offenses/bitterness till they get large enough to consume our love.
"And because iniquity (immoral or grossly unfair behavior) shall abound, the love of many shall wax (grow) cold." (vs. 12)
It would be easy to box up this versus with others and say "yes man's love has always been getting colder" but in this age we need to recognize the effects of man's loss of love on towards the other. Columbine and Virginia Tech, Andrea Yates and most recently Carson City, Nevada. These weren't acts of violence with a purpose or an agenda, they were men and woman who had lost their love for fellow man and in turn did horrible things. Again, decades earlier a tragedy perpetrated as these were would have been nearly unimaginable. But today we hear almost every month a new story of unexpected seemingly random violence and acts of hate between people. We are in a world where love is departing from the hearts of man paving the way for the most wicked "hater" of all, the Anti-Christ.
But through it all Jesus didn't end it there. Thank God there is a word of hope in this tragic day that those who endure (push on) [in love {God}] "Shall be saved". Not might be saved but shall be saved! and He goes on to say that the Gospel (death, burial and resurrection of Christ/Repentance, baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost) will be preached in ALL nations before the end. Remember where sin doth abound grace doth much more abound.
It is easy as we have seen through out this chapter to get caught up in the hopeless despair and depression associated with recognizing the dire situation man is in, but we have a Hope! His name is Jesus. He is coming again! He is coming to save and deliver and reunite with those He has called out! Don't wait for this terrible day to get worse find your hope now, be rescued from this wicked world now!
When Peter told the people about the day of the Lord and described to them the horrible things to come they cried out "WHAT CAN WE DO TO BE SAVED!!" and He responded "Repent and be baptized EVERYONE OF YOU in the Name of Jesus Christ and you will receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost" What is that gift? It is the Spirit of God and the promise of being saved from that day of wrath. It is the promise that you will live with the Lamb that died for you Forever in Joy, peace and happiness. "And this promise is to you and your children and to all them that are afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call."
Can you hear Him calling? That's us Peter was talking about in Acts chapter 2! We will be saved!
God bless, Go out and save someone from death hell and the grave today. There is no greater miracle than the miracle of salvation when a dead soul is brought back to life in Christ to live forever your brother or sister. Amen.
Great Post! The gradient of temptation and many wellsprings of evil has it becoming increasingly hard to reject evil. We need to be just and forgive those that are going through hard times of temptation by not judging. Revive your brothers and sisters by showing them that you have forgiven them just as Jesus forgave us. Remember saints are delivered unto satin that there souls will be saved in the end.
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