Welcome to Real Christianity. My name is Dale Partridge. As you know, you can get the show notes for these episodes at relearn.org.

Our mission at relearn.org is to bring the church back to the Bible. We are fighting for biblical and theological literacy in the church,

meaning that we want every Christian to know how to properly and accurately interpret their Bible and understand core, essential, theological doctrine.

Today's episode we are talking about sustaining our hope in the growing darkness of our world.

Everywhere around us we are dealing with major issues from the COVID pandemic to laws being passed, the vaccination discussion, the Afghanistan discussion, the earthquake and Haiti that happened a few weeks ago.

The myriad of other issues that are going on on the global stage as well as the national and even local stage of your life.

I want to talk by, I should say, I want to teach from a couple of passages of scripture that really speak to this generation that we are in.

The last days, and we know that the last days are really anytime after Jesus' resurrection and ascension and his second coming.

That whole period is referred to as the last days, but there is a sense in, I think, every generation, but especially now that there is a multiplied frequency and a greater portion of wickedness in this generation.

So I'd like to talk to you about what we are to expect as well as how we should anchor our hope in the midst of it.

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And it has been a wonderful opportunity to preach a biblical doctrine and the gospel to so many of you listeners.

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I want to start off by talking about a passage of scripture that, that Jesus is talking about these days of tribulation.

And Jesus is speaking to Jewish believers in Matthew 24. He makes this statement to them in that audience that I believe is true in our generation.

He says, and because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. Now that passage of scripture for you who are very theological and understand where you're the geography of your Bible.

I know this is connected to a discussion around eschatology and times. We're not going to talk about that right now. But I want to take the concept that Jesus takes here and say, because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.

The world is growing rapidly in lawlessness. The internet has permitted evil to be multiplied in a greater capacity than ever before. And as a result, the love of Christians even, not just humanity, but the love of Christians will grow cold.

Now, it doesn't say that the love of Christians will be lost. That's not what that passage is saying. But if we're not careful and committed to seeking the source of love, which is God, this lawless world can discourage the saint and our love for others may decrease.

And I think many of you, whether you want to admit it or not, have found yourself discouraged and overwhelmed with the state of our world.

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