last days – Moment to Moment (Bible blog)

Labor pains

You are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, because these things must take place, but the end is not yet.

For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines, and earthquakes in various places.

All these events are the beginning of labor pains. (Matthew 24:6-8)

As I read Jesus’ words, I thought about Paul’s words in Romans 8.

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now.

Not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits—we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:22-23)

It’s natural as look at the problems of this world and in our own lives to groan.

But we have a hope.

Our groans and the groans of creation are not the groans of despair, of death. Our groans are the groans of childbirth, of hope, of life.

Jesus is returning.

He will judge all evil.

He will save his people and make all things new. (Matthew 24:30-31)

That’s our hope.

And our hope is certain because Jesus’ words are certain.

He tells us,

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Matthew 24:35)

So whatever you see in this world, whatever you’re personally going through, don’t give in to despair.

Don’t let your love grow cold.

Instead be faithful in all he has given you to do.

And know in the meantime, you’re never alone.

In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us, with inexpressible groanings.

And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:26-28)

When love grows cold

In talking about the last days, Jesus says something pretty chilling.

Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold. (Matthew 24:12)

The scary thing is, he says this of those who profess to be God’s people.

When it says lawlessness will multiply, I wonder exactly what that means.

Does it mean that lawlessness will multiply in the world to such an extent that some among God’s people will start to despair. They lose faith that God is good and their cynicism towards him and others turns their love cold?

Or does it mean that they themselves will be swept into lawlessness, rejecting God’s word and living for themselves, thus turning their love for God and others cold?

I don’t know. But either way, we need to guard our hearts.

Guard your hearts against sin. Don’t let yourself slip into sin by making excuses for it.

When you harden your heart by making excuses for your sin, your love for God and others will inevitably grow cold.

And when you see the evil around you and everything looks beyond hope, don’t lose your faith in God.

Keep believing he is good. Know in your heart that the day is coming when Jesus will return and make all things right.

Jesus promises us,

…the one who endures to the end will be saved. (13)

So remember your hope.

This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (14)

The evil we see in this world will not last forever.

So by God’s grace, let us endure with hearts overflowing with his love, and proclaiming his gospel to this dying world.