June 25, 2026 | www.gospelofjesuschrist.blog | River Wilde
One of the most sobering signs Jesus gave concerning the last days was not wars, earthquakes, or persecution. It was the loss of love. The loss of Love? I would venture to guess that many of you are right in the middle of this experience involving others, but are not associating it with this prophecy. Let’s learn more about this.
Jesus said:
“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”
— Matthew 24:12 (KJV)
Notice that He did not say everyone’s love would grow cold. He said many. This means even people who once cared deeply for others can slowly lose that love if they allow sin, fear, bitterness, and deception to take root.
Think about your association with others for a moment, even within your own family, are you seeing this loss of love? Are you seeing a division in relationships that were once very solid and loving? I AM!!!!!
Why does love grow cold?
Jesus gives the reason first:
“…because iniquity shall abound…” (Matthew 24:12)
As wickedness increases, people become accustomed to it. Hearts become hardened. Constant exposure to hatred, violence, selfishness, lies, and immorality causes many to withdraw emotionally. Trust disappears. Compassion fades.
The Bible describes people in the last days this way:
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”
“For men shall be lovers of their own selves…”
— 2 Timothy 3:1-2 (KJV)
Paul continues by describing people as:
- Covetous
- Proud
- Blasphemers
- Disobedient to parents
- Unthankful
- Unholy
- Without natural affection
- Trucebreakers
- False accusers
- Fierce
- Despisers of those that are good
- Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God
- Having a form of godliness, but denying its power
(2 Timothy 3:2-5 KJV)
The phrase “without natural affection” describes the loss of the normal love that should exist between family members, neighbors, and even fellow believers. Is this all starting to come together for you now?
Jesus warned that betrayal would increase.
“And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.”
— Matthew 24:10 (KJV)
Notice the progression:
- Offended
- Betrayal
- Hatred
- Love grows cold
Many relationships are destroyed because offenses are never forgiven. Some people let the darkness of sin diminish the light that they once had. When selfishness abounds, love decreases.
Even families will be divided.
Jesus warned:
“Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.”
— Mark 13:12 (KJV)
This is part of Jesus’ teaching on the Mount of Olives, where He describes what His followers will experience before His Second Coming.
This passage is describing a time when loyalty to Christ will become so costly that even the closest family relationships will be broken.
Jesus was warning His disciples that persecution would become so severe that:
- Brothers would betray brothers.
- Parents would betray their own children.
- Children would betray their parents.
- Faithfulness to Christ would divide families.
This is not because God desires families to be divided, but because some will choose Christ while others reject Him.
Loyalty to Christ will become more important than loyalty to family for many believers.
But God’s people are called to be different.
While the world’s love grows colder, believers are commanded:
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you…”
— John 13:34 (KJV)
Paul wrote:
“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”
— Colossians 3:14 (KJV)
Biblical charity is not merely kindness. It is sacrificial love that continues even when it is difficult.
Love is one of the greatest witnesses.
Jesus said:
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
— John 13:35 (KJV)
As the world becomes darker, genuine Christian love shines more brightly.
How do we keep our love from growing cold?
The Bible gives several practical answers:
- Remain close to Christ.
“Abide in me…” (John 15:4 KJV)
- Stay in God’s Word.
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart…” (Psalm 119:11 KJV)
- Walk in the Spirit.
“The fruit of the Spirit is love…” (Galatians 5:22 KJV)
- Forgive quickly.
“Forgiving one another…” (Colossians 3:13 KJV)
A personal reflection
I have felt friendships fade, and communication from people that I once felt close to diminish. Experiences like this are painful, and they can make Jesus’ words in Matthew 24 feel very personal. While we should be careful not to conclude that every strained relationship is a direct fulfillment of prophecy, Scripture does teach that increasing selfishness, offense, and division will characterize the last days. At the same time, it calls believers not to let those trends change their own hearts.
For me, it has been helpful to realize the reason that this diminished love is happening. It also helps me identify who is close to Christ, and who is drifting away. I find some comfort in praying for those who are slipping, and placing that burden in the hands of God, rather than try to manage it on my own.
The challenge of the last days is to recognize prophetic signs in our own lives. This helps us understand where we are in the season of the return of Jesus Christ.
We are also to continue loving God with all our heart, loving one another, forgiving those who hurt us, and remaining faithful to Jesus Christ. In a world where the love of many grows cold, Christians are called to let the love of Christ remain warm, steadfast, and visible until He returns.
This takes some effort on our part, again speaking from my own experience. It is challenging at times to be put down, pushed away, and rejected by people that you love, simply because you are standing firm in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have never had such a period of time as this, when I am being emotionally punished, because of my genuine desire to help others with their eternal salvation through accepting Jesus Christ.
I have learned to not hold on to those negative experiences for even a moment, but to give them to God by offering forgiveness, without trying to defend my position. God certainly does a better job at explaining His gospel that I can ever do, so I prayerfully ask Him to help those people see His truth.
We certainly look forward to the rapture, removing us from the hardships of this world. Even though this event will be soon, it does not mean that you and me will not have to experience things such as the loss of love from many people, which is happening right now. We are not yet finished with OUR journey, and must remain vigilant.
In closing, let me offer the “treasure map” of finding solutions to your challenges that come up…It is the New Testament. In a simple search online, type in: Show me the KJV scriptures that teach about ____(your topic)_____.
The answers that you will find is as personal as listening to Jesus speak a solution to your problem. Prayerfully consider what you are reading, and listen for continued teaching from the Holy Spirit in your thoughts.
You do not need to be a Biblical Scholar to use the scriptures. The scanning capabilities of AI now make it possible to find every scripture that teaches a concept, not just one or two. Be cautious regarding the interpretations of those scriptures that AI gives to you, in fact, many times it best to just read all of the scriptures and let the Holy Ghost teach you.
One last thought. Like many of you, I too have people that I love who I do not feel will be included in God’s rescue plan of the rapture. And, despite my continued efforts, I have come to realize that they will likely be left behind. Then, I am mindful of God’s plan that He already has in place for those people that I am concerned for.
His plan for these people is to give them one last chance to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior by MISSING the rapture. The tough love that God has planned is exactly what many people need to become humbled, and teachable to be in the mindset to accept the Savior.
We must remember, the rapture is not a final judgment. It is the rescue for people who are already “in Christ,” God’s plan will still continue for the following 7 years to help everyone left, to come to Christ… the “Hard Way” I might add.
Many of you reading this have your own children. You have seen personality differences where one child gets it, and another seems to always have to learn the hard way. It is the same with people accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I am grateful that God will give ALL people a FAIR CHANCE of hearing and accepting this gospel before they are “judged.” When we feel like it’s all up to us, let’s remember that this is God’s plan, and not just our responsibility to bring those that we love to Him.
Let’s all take the challenge of forgiving those who are resisting our love, immediately, when events occur. If you accept this challenge, please write any of your experience in the comments, so that all of this blog can read them as well.
Be Strong Until Rescue!
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