Lawlessness and Love Growing Cold​

In a world growing cold, the love of Christ must remain visible.

"And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold."

Matthew 24:12 KJV

Introduction

Jesus warned that “because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matthew 24:12, KJV). His words connect increasing lawlessness with a decline in love. The passage challenges readers to consider not only the condition of society, but also the state of their own hearts.

Within a Pre-Tribulation framework, this warning is often read alongside New Testament descriptions of rebellion and moral disorder in the last days. Yet lawlessness and lovelessness have appeared in many periods of history. The verse calls for vigilance and faithfulness, not sweeping claims about every modern generation or community.

What Jesus connects

Biblical text: Matthew 24:12 links the abundance of iniquity with the cooling of love.

The verse is part of a sequence that includes persecution, betrayal and false prophets. It describes a spiritual and moral danger: when wrongdoing becomes common, people may grow cynical, indifferent or hostile. The warning asks believers to guard against allowing the surrounding climate to reshape their own character.

In 2 Timothy 3:1-3 Paul warns of the state of humankind, the violence, people unable to control themselves (much less others), the brutality of their actions, not lovers of good and a total disregard for authority and the law. When The Truth is thrown away by humans and they are instead nurtured on false messages from within and outside the Church, darkness steps in - a void - and it becomes the "new normal" in society. In the old days, the saying "getting away with murder" really had a meaning. Nowadays, I'm not too sure. It seems that lawlessness, hostility, blasphemy, sexual perversion and most of all, the family breaking down beyond repair.

This state of the world, of man, of society isn't new, isn't something that is only now coming to light. This was the reason in Genesis 6:11-13 God decided to end His Creation and start again. "The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.  And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth." Looking at the constant, never-ending news reports, events happening worldwide and the state of The Church, it is very clear to me that we are living in a time "as in the days of Noah". Heartbreaking!

Jesus, when describing the signs of the times in Matthew 24, He specifically referenced the conditions that were prevalent in Noah's time in verses 37-39. He was there when Noah got the warning. He knows. It's going to be the same again, and He'll be here again!

Key Scriptures:
Matthew 24:10-13 Matthew 24:37-39 Mark 13:12-13 2 Timothy 3:1-3 Genesis 6:11-13

The Bible’s language of lawlessness

The Old Testament prophets repeatedly condemn injustice, oppression, dishonesty and the abuse of power. The New Testament warns against rebellion against God’s commands and calls believers to practise righteousness. The biblical concept of lawlessness is therefore deeper than breaking a particular human law; it concerns rejection of God’s righteous authority.

Context matters. A law may be unjust, and Scripture does not equate every civil disobedience with rebellion against God. The central concern is whether conduct honours God’s truth and righteousness.

Key Scriptures:
Micah 6:8-12 Isaiah 5:18-24 2 Timothy 3:1-5 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12

Love is more than sentiment

Biblical love is shown in action: truthfulness, mercy, forgiveness, justice and care for neighbours. Jesus taught that love for God and neighbour summarises the commandments (Matthew 22:37-40). John likewise connects love for God with love for fellow believers.

Love does not require approving wrongdoing or ignoring harm. It requires a response shaped by truth and compassion rather than hatred, revenge or indifference.

Key Scriptures:
Leviticus 19:17-18 1 John 4:7-12 Matthew 22:34-40 John 13:34-35 1 John 4:19-21

Refuse to let your own love grow cold

The practical application is personal and communal. Resist dehumanising others, care for people in need, speak truth without cruelty and remain committed to the local church. Where there is injustice, pursue what is right; where there is suffering, respond with mercy.

End-times teaching should produce holiness and love, not contempt for the world or delight in its suffering. Jesus’ warning is an invitation to remain faithful even when faithfulness is difficult.

Side note: “Love growing cold” is a biblical description, not a ready-made social-science measure. The practical response to deception is to know the genuine message of Christ, remain connected to sound biblical teaching and refuse to let sensational claims replace the authority of God’s Word. 

STRONG’S CONCORDANCE STUDY

Biblical text: "And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many." Matthew 24:12 (to view the Strong's comments, click the  button on the menu bar)

• ἀνομία - anomia (G458): lawlessness or disregard for law. Relevant to Matthew 24:12.
• ἀγάπη - agapē (G26): love, especially the love discussed in Christian teaching. Relevant to Matthew 24:12 and 1 John.
• ψύχω - psychō (G5594): to cool or grow cold. The verb behind the KJV phrase “shall wax cold” in Matthew 24:12.

These are selected word-study entries, not occurrence counts. Check the exact verse forms and concordance totals in the Bible Reader app before adding numerical statistics.

Key Scriptures:
Matthew 24:12 1 John 4:7-9

OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT PROPHECY LINKS

Biblical text:

• Old Testament: Leviticus 19:17-18; Micah 6:8-12; Isaiah 5:18-24; Ezekiel 22:23-31.
• New Testament: Matthew 24:12, Matthew 22:34-40; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12; 1 John 4:7-21.