2-Minute Bible Study for Thursday, 6/4/26
“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,” Matthew 24:12 NIV
This verse comes from Jesus’ words in the Olivet Discourse, as He explains what it will be like during the end times. I have always been curious about this verse, so I began digging for more insight.
(The Greek word for wickedness, anomia, is translated “lawlessness” in the NASB.
The word was heavily utilized in ancient Greek and New Testament texts to describe a state of living in contempt of established laws or moral standards.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: lawlessness; the utter disregard for God’s law (His written and living Word).
That pretty much sums up the culture of our world today.
So what does it mean that “the love of most will grow cold”? Paul describes it further:
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—” 2 Timothy 3:1-4 NIV (emphasis mine)
The Greek word for brutal is anēmeros, which means: not tame, savage, fierce (Strongs). It refers to something—or someone—that is wild, ferocious, or brutal. The word appears only here in the New Testament, where it is used to describe the fierce, brutal, and uncontrollable nature of humanity during the last days. (Bill Mounce)
The Greek word for treacherous is prodotēs. It means a traitor and betrayer. It is used only two other times in the New Testament: in Luke 6:16, where it describes Judas Iscariot as a “traitor,” and in Acts 7:52, where Stephen uses the plural form (prodotai) to condemn the religious leaders who handed Jesus over to the Romans.
In summary, I think the Lord is warning us that in the end times, because of the utter disregard for God’s law (His written and living Word), people will only have love for themselves and money. Love for others grows so cold that it eventually disappears completely.
I can’t help but think that this explains what happened on October 7, 2023, when innocent people in Israel were raped, murdered, and burned alive for no reason other than hatred. This savage attack launched, not an outcry for justice, but an outcry against the Jews! Jesus warned us that people will become brutal and treacherous because they have no regard for what is good.
“For the secret power of lawlessness (anomia) is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.” 2 Thessalonians 2:7 NIV
Are we living in the end times? You decide.
In His Love, Cindy
To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.”
Psalm 122:6 NASB
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