What did the Lord Jesus mean when He said...?

Meaning, either the malice and wickedness of outrageous persecutors, which should greatly increase; or the treachery and hatred of the apostates; or the errors and heresies of false teachers; or the wickedness that prevailed in the lives and conversations of some, that were called Christians: for each of these seem to be hinted at in the context, and may be all included, as making up the abounding iniquity here spoken of; the consequence of which would be,

the love of many shall grow cold. This would be the case of many, but not of all; for in the midst of this abounding iniquity, there were some, the ardour of whose love to Christ, to his Gospel, and to the saints, did not abate: but then there were many, whose zeal for Christ, through the violence of persecution, was greatly damped; and through the treachery of false brethren, were shy of the saints themselves, not knowing who to trust; and through the principles of the false teachers, the power of godliness, and the vital heat of religion, were almost lost; and through a love of the world, and of carnal ease and pleasure, love to the saints was grown very chill, and greatly left; as the instances of Demas, and those that forsook the Apostle Paul, at his first answer before Nero, show. This might be true of such, who were real believers in Christ; who might fall under great decays, through the prevalence of iniquity; since it does not say their love shall be lost, but grow cold.

Jesus Christ, in telling his disciples of the things ahead, indicated that the love (a‧ga′pe) of many who professed belief in God would cool off. (Mt 24:3, 12) The apostle Paul said that, as a feature of the critical times to come, men would become “lovers of money.” (2Ti 3:1, 2) It is evident, therefore, that a person can lose sight of right principles and that the proper love he once had can fade away. This emphasizes the importance of constant exercise and development of love by meditation on God’s Word and by molding one’s life according to His principles.—Eph 4:15, 22-24.Jesus showed clearly that endurance would be required of God’s people in our day. In foretelling the sign of “the conclusion of the system of things,” he said: “He that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved.” Endure while doing what? Jesus’ very next words answer: “And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations.” (Matthew 24:3, 13, 14) Only then ‘will the end come.’

Sounds like a commentary on the 21st century, doesn't it? Never before have so many people said that there is no God, and that we can do whatever we please. Never before have people claiming to be Christians claimed that it is a legitimate choice to kill a prenatal child or commit sodomy.

In a time of lawlessness and practical atheism, actual Christians will be tempted to fall away from the love of God to participate in the carelessness of the people of this world. If they do, Jesus is saying, they will lose the chance of salvation.

The notion that people once saved are always saved is a rejection of the gospel. Just the opposite is implied in the passage you quoted.

It is only those Christians who remain faithful to God until their natural death or until the Second Coming that will have completed the race and won the victory.

Cheers,

Bruce

Who was He talking to? That's the first thing to consider in any passage, to understand the context. In this case, He was speaking to His disciples about the end of the Jewish age, or Old Covenant. He was foreseeing the near future when Nero would come to power, persecute believers, and the Romans would invade and destroy the dear city Jerusalem. Enduring to the end would be difficult for them because of all the woes the city would experience.

If we read it without that context, and without 'audience relevance,' then we can take it to mean sometime in OUR future, and that WE must endure to the end to be saved. This is how many read it today.

Some Scripture has universal application, and some is time-bound to the original audience. This is clearly time-bound, because Jesus opens with a description of how the Temple will be left desolate, with not one stone left on top of another, and then the disciples proceed to ask when will it happen; when will the 'end of the age' be. The Temple was destroyed in AD70, which ended the Jewish age under the first Covenant.

Just look at the rise in crime in the world, and look no further

than the daily hate-filled antiChrist attacks against Christians

in this R&S site. Certainly signs of the times we are in, and

of the imminent return of Jesus.

Watch for the confirming of a treaty in the Middle East by

some guy well-respected in the world. Then the count-down !

antiChrists will then be forgotten - like dags off a sheep's butt.

Many who are weak will give into the wicked and go their way because it is easier. Jesus told us that walking the narrow road to eternal life is difficult. We must keep the faith which means abiding in Christ. Those who love the Lord with all their hearts will persevere to the end and be saved.

Easy enough, In the period after Jesus ascends to heaven and before He comes again, His disciples should expect to see society become worse and worse. But this is not the specific sign of His return.

Plain and simple, Keep the faith brother. There will be many in the end times that will turn away from God and tempt others to do the same. They will persecute us and hate us, but we must endure these things till the end of our lives and remain faithful to Christ.

that you shall walk the road till the end.

many believers are giving up or starting to blame God for this and that.

J

People are insecure by nature. When they live in a rough neighborhood, it hardens them. Even the Christians will buy guns for protection.