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The Days of Lawlessness by John Bevere
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The disciples of
Jesus asked Him about the end of the age. He responded by telling them events
that would take place and by describing conditions that would be prevalent in
the days preceding His second coming. One of the conditions is this: “Because
lawlessness [sin] will abound, the love of many will grow
cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matt 24:12-13).
Whenever I ask congregations whether this applies to our present society, I am
greeted with raised hands and nodding heads; most view our society as sinful. Very
few, if any, question whether this is an accurate assessment. Yet Jesus was not
describing society in that statement. He was describing the Church! You may be
wondering how I could reach this conclusion. Well, two distinct phrases in the
two verses show He was talking about the Church, not society in general. The first key phrase “the
love of many will grow cold.” The Greek word for “love” is agape.
W.E. Vine, who is an expert in Greek words, writes that agape is used
“by the Spirit of revelation...to express ideas previously unknown.”
Remember, Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love [agapao, the verb form of the noun agape]
one another; as I have loved you” (John 13:34). This love had not been
previously known to mankind; He was the very One
who introduced it. He defined it with the phase “as I have loved you.” Vines
goes on to say, “This love expresses the deep and constant ‘love’ and
interest of a perfect Being towards entirely
unworthy objects.” In essence it speaks of the unconditional love of
God, the love poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus
said “The world cannot receive” (Roman 5:5; John 14:17). In
essence this love can be found only in those who have received Jesus Christ as
their Savior. There are other Greek words translated
“love” in the New Testament. However, each of them can be applied just as
easily to non-believers as to believers. One such word is phileo.
This word, according to W.E. Vines, “is to be distinguished from agapao in this, that phileo
more nearly represents ‘tender affection’...Phileo
is never used in a command for men to ‘love’ God.” This word is not used
uniquely to believers as agape is. In Jesus statement, “Because
lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold,” the Greek
word used for “love” is not phileo but agape!
Jesus was not directing His statement toward society; rather, he was speaking
to the church. He was saying that lawlessness is going to abound in the church
in the last days. We cannot over look other corresponding statements He made.
One such statement is found in the gospel of Matthew: “Not everyone who says
to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of
heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matt. 7:21).
This statement abolishes our general concept and definition of who is saved. We
have taught and believed that all you have to do is confess a “sinner’s
prayer,” and you are ensured a secure place in heaven. We have neglected or
placed no emphasis on keeping His commands. This counterfeit grace leads many
astray, causing them to make light of obedience. Jesus said those who will be
in heaven are those who confess and do the will of God, thus
keeping the commands of God. True grace has been given to empower us to obey
what He demands of us. The writer of Hebrews said it best: “Let us have
grace, by which we may serve God acceptably” (Heb. 12:28). Grace empowers
us to serve God in an acceptable manner, which is in accordance with
His will. Jesus went on to say, “Many will say to Me
in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast our demons
in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’” (Matt. 7:22). Not a
few, but many are referenced in this scripture. Remember the word many
in His previous statement? “The love of many will grow cold.” These
multitudes will say to Jesus, “Lord, have we not prophesied, cast out
demons, and done miracles in Your name?” An
unbeliever cannot cast out a demon in Jesus’ name (Acts 19: 13-17). So
again He was addressing those in the Church. He then will say to these
professing Christians: “Depart from Me, you who
practice lawlessness!” (Matt. 7:23). Notice what they practice – lawlessness
.In other words, they have a lifestyle similar to those in the parable of
the wedding. They have developed a pattern of placing their agenda, pleasure,
or plans before the commands of the Master. Today this seems normal or natural
behavior. Simply put, they do not live out their confession of submission to
His lordship. They obey what fits in with their plans. They are unaware of
their present lawlessness. This, I am sad to say, is the state of too many
professing Christians today! The second reason we know Jesus was addressing the
Church is found in His next phrase, “But he who endures to the end
shall be saved.” To endure a race, you must have begun it. Unbelievers have
yet to begin the Christian race. The Shock and Agony
of Deception When Jesus and the
apostles speak to the people of the last days, we find repeated warning against
what best describes the atmosphere of their time, deception. One reason
for widespread d e c e p t i o n is the
misapprehension of the core meaning of sin. It is not too different from the
frame of reference with my sister. I was shocked when I came home and found she
had died because I never accepted the fact she was really sick. This relates to
an experience I had in the late 1980s. While in prayer I received a sobering
spiritual vision that changed the course of my life and ministry. I saw a multitude
of people, too great to number, the magnitude of which I have never seen
before. They were amassed before the gates of heaven, awaiting entrance,
expecting to hear the Master say, “Come, you blessed of My Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matt.
25:34). But instead they heard the Master say, “Depart from Me, you
who practice lawlessness.” I saw the look of terrible shock, agony, and
terror on their faces. They really believed they were destined for heaven because
they professed the lordship of Jesus and their Christianity. Yet they did not
understand the true or core meaning of sin. Though they desire heaven, they
lacked the passion to obediently do the will of the Father. God is looking for
children whose hearts yearn to walk in obedience. No matter what area of life
it may touch, we as believers should delight in doing His will. At the close of
a life filled with success from obedience and hardship from disobedience,
Solomon breathed wisdom to stand for all time, “Let us hear the conclusion
of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is
man’s all” (Eccl. 12:13). |