I met my friend in Kindergarten. At that age practically everyone is your friend. However, he was my first best friend. There was something that just clicked between us. We shared everything. We got excited when the other got a good grade or won an award. We even looked forward to Christmas or birthdays when we would call each other to tell what we each had gotten for gifts. We were great friends. One day, to my surprise, he said that he wanted to come with me to my church. I was excited.
When I arrived to pick him up for church, I met his mother at the door. With a concerned look on her face, she said, “Please don’t hurt my son.” This took me by surprise. He was my best friend. I would never dream of hurting him! Besides, we were going to church—what bad could happen there?
When we arrived at church I needed to take the food to the kitchen for a potluck lunch. I told him to wait for me in the foyer and I’d be right back. When I returned, though, he wasn’t there. After looking for a few minutes and not finding him anywhere, I became worried. I finally asked the lady who stood by the entrance greeting people as they came in if she had seen my friend. “Yes” she said. “I sent him home.” What? Why? Her reason: “He knew better than to wear jeans to church, so I sent him home to change.”
I couldn’t believe my ears. She sent him home because he was wearing jeans? I went to church that day wondering how anyone could get hurt in church. But I found that the Bible actually prophesied that such things would happen near the end. This unfortunate prophecy is found in Matthew 24.
You may be familiar with this chapter. It is Jesus’ description of end-time events. Among these signs would be false prophets, wars, rumors of wars (4–6). Yet, these things should not alarm us—they are not the end, there is more to come. There would also be earthquakes, famines, diseases—these would all be the “beginning of birth pains” (7, 8). Like birth pains, they would start weaker and farther apart, and grow stronger and happening closer together. It is basically what we witness happening today, isn’t it?
In verse 9, though, the picture changes from global issues to people of God issues: persecution and being hated by the world. This also is not a surprise to us. Jesus warned us in John 15:18, 19 that the world will hate those who follow Him because it hated Him first. But there would be more.
“At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people” (Matthew 24:10, 11). Sadly, many will give up believing in the truth of God’s Word and will betray and hate each other. In other words, so-called “Christians” will hate those really following Christ. This hatred results from not wanting to hear the truth of God’s word. As this refusal of Bible truths grows, so will the appearance of false prophets or teachers—and many will be deceived. These prophets will be targeting those who are Christians, not the world. Their lies will invade churches (and not just in the Dark Ages—fresh lies are rising around us today).
Notice the effect of the efforts of the false teachers: “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). The increase of wickedness is not just in the world; context says it is increasing in the church! This means love is growing cold among Christians. How tragic! Yet, regrettably, we also see this happening today. No longer are most “Christians” seen as loving. Instead, we are far too often seen as a hypocritical, judgmental, and hating people. The reason for this change goes back to the root issue: no longer loving the truth of God. Jesus said this would happen to many.
The love of many will grow cold, but not the love of everyone: “but he who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:13). This verse is talking about those who still love and do not increase in wickedness; those who are not led astray by false prophets and still love the truth and each other. It is not about standing firm in beliefs or doctrines, but about a people standing firm in their faith in God, His Word, and still living His love. It will be the character of those saved.
Now listen to this: “And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). This gospel; a specific gospel. The gospel of John 3:16 says, “For God so loved…” The gospel is all about love and trusting in God. This is the gospel that needs to go to the whole world. This is the same gospel that did not condemn a woman caught in adultery. The same gospel that accepted a condemned thief with a last minute revelation. A gospel of love that eats with sinners and tax-collectors. A gospel of love that seeks to save. It is not a Gospel that would send someone home for wearing jeans.
Of course, even if they are really sinning (and wearing jeans is not a sin) how can they change unless they come to God. How can they come to God if they aren’t drawn by His love. How can they see His love if we don’t show it (1 Corinthians 11)? We are to show the love of God to others. We are called to stand firm when others fall away; we’re called to hold to the truth and continue to love when others grow cold.
Do not forget what Jesus said: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). It will not be in some unique doctrines, or a purity of standard, it will be seen in how we treat each other. Yet, our love can only grow if we are connected to God, the source of love. May you and I stand firm in truth and love, even as others grow cold! May others experience the love of God through us!