Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Matthew 24:12

So, continuing with the prophecy, what happens after all of the betrayal and hatred?
καὶ διὰ τὸ πληθυνθῆναι τὴν ἀνομίαν ψυγήσεται ἡ ἀγάπη τῶν πολλῶν.

And because of the spread of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold (Matthew 24:12)
The increase in iniquity correlates directly with the freezing of love. The betrayal, hatred and deception all feed into the iniquity and to the lessening of love.

Betrayal certainly saps the love that might be extended as it is difficult to love someone who has stabbed one in the back.

Hatred, particularly open displays of it, does not foster love.

Deception, causing others to err because they have been given false information, also does not engender love.

In general, the spread of iniquity does not foster love. It reminds one of the tautology of the "hate crime." How often does one commit a crime against someone because they love them? The mere fact that someone was willing to commit a crime against someone is evidence that the perpetrator hates the victim. Someone who has been made a victim is usually not well-disposed to the perpetrator.

So, it really is not much of a surprise that iniquity does not foster love.