Matthew 24:1-14

“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:12–13, NKJV)

Last night Cindy and I were eating at a restaurant when a woman who used to go to our church saw us and came to our table. She told us that she missed coming to our church and that she felt like 2026 would be a good year for her spiritually. Then she asked me if I thought things were getting better or worse. I told her that I thought there are many good things going on but that there are also many evil things happening.

I believe this has been true in every generation, but in the last days we can expect the devil’s opposition to increase, for he knows that his time is short. In my lifetime, there has been a great increase in lawlessness, immorality, rebellion, violence, suicide, and homelessness. The percentage of people who do not go to church and who claim no religious affiliation has grown substantially.

Our time has been described as the “post-Christian” age, meaning that people have heard the gospel of Jesus Christ but have rejected it. And because of this downward pull, many people who once loved Jesus and kept His commandments have left the faith. They have loved the world or decided that they don’t need God. But only those who endure to the end will be saved. Our salvation is proven, not by how we start, but by how we finish.

If we are going to escape the corruption of this generation, then we must be vigilant and discerning. We must purpose in our hearts not to be influenced by the world around us but to be led by the Spirit of Christ within us. Our only hope in these evil days is spiritual revival. Rather than our love growing cold, we must stir up a renewed passion for Jesus. We need a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit.

As we begin the New Year, will you join me in praying for revival?

“Heavenly Father, thank you for your great love for us. Thank you for the blessings you have poured into our lives this past year. As we begin the New Year, stir up in our hearts a fresh passion for Jesus. Fill us with the Holy Spirit and help us persevere to the end. Revive your church and help us turn many away from their sins. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.”