The Love Of Many Will Grow Cold

This is a heartbreaking statement in the ‘Olivet Discourse’ of our Lord (Mk. 13:3). We find extremely difficult to gulp it down and we wonder how true are His words in today’s world scenario? The purpose of the discourse is to warn the disciples of the dangers that lie ahead: persecutions, false prophets and messiahs, rumors of wars and wars, natural calamities and catastrophes of various magnitudes.

The growth of coldness in love is something cosmic – continent to continent, nation to nation, tribe to tribe and family to family. This spiritual cold wave, now swept over the face of the earth is something concomitant to the ‘increase of lawlessness’ in the world. Mathean usage of the verb psucho (blow cold) in the passive voice indicates an act of cooling by blowing.

Neither Hot nor Cold

Another aspect of the cold wave manifests itself in a life of lukewarmness – neither enthusiastic nor tepid. The Church in Laodicea once fervent fell into this trap of tepidity. “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing; not knowing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked” (Rev. 3:15-17).

They lived a type of cogitative vegetative life of comfort and ease. “Cursed is he who does the work of the Lord with slackness” (Jer 48:10). The ‘slothful servant’ received a harsher punishment (Mt. 25:26).

Increase of Lawlessness

Lawlessness is a ‘mystery’ according to St. Paul. None can totally comprehend the mystery of evil in this world. “The mystery of lawlessness is already at work” (2 Thess 2:7). How can a good God allow it happen? Why does the just suffer? This inscrutable mystery is closely related to ‘the man of lawlessness’ and ‘the son of destruction’ (2 Thess 2:3).

St. Paul forewarns about the distressing signs of the last days. “People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the outward form of religion but denying its power. Avoid them!” (2 Tim 3:2-5).

In a long list of twenty traits, what horrifies the reader is the use of some of the strongest expressions like, the ‘inhuman’ and the ‘brutes’ or the ‘savage’, who are wild in their behaviors. The Greek term astorgoi implies the heartless ones, bereft of any human affection. Similarly anemeroi denotes the untamed animals, irrational and unreasonable in their behaviors.

Redemption and restoration would be preceded by a period of unprecedented spiritual and moral chaos, and rampant religious apostasy, where the tyranny of relativism raises its ugly head; and nobody can say anything to anyone (2 Tim 2:1-12).

Cold Indifference

People should be dissatisfied with anything material. Why? Our hearts are created for God and it cannot rest in anywhere in creation or among the creatures, but in God alone. The religious indifference would be manifested in coldness in things related to God and the supernatural. In fact, some would be allergic to it and they ‘switch off’ their ears to any mention of it. What do they want? Shall we play the flute? Will you dance? No. Shall we play the dirges? Will you cry? No. They are like children sitting in the supermarket dissatisfied with anything in life (Mt. 11:16-17).

Hardening of Heart

Most of the hearts become hardened as it happened to Pharaoh, in spite of the fact that he witnessed numerous portents and signs performed by Moses. Some hearts will ‘grow faint’ with fear of the evil reports (in the mass-media). Still other hearts will be ‘weighed down’ with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life.

The mystery of the ‘hardening’ of the heart of Israel until the full number of the gentiles coming in remains incomprehensible. As regards the Gospel, many Christians today are ‘enemies of God’ (Rom. 11:28).

At this juncture of history, what is required of believer is endurance, which alone will save him. A faithful disciple of Christ must bear witness against the godless nation, with heroic courage and perseverance. The gospel of the Kingdom must be preached throughout the whole world; and then the end will come, when the Spirit and the Bride say, “Come, Come Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:17, 20).

- – - written by Fr. J. Eapen SDB

Video : Interview With Satan (The Devil)

Download The Video Here

A nice video showing an interview with Satan, the devil. Watch the clip above.

Interview With Satan : Video Feedback

I like the fact when he said ‘Jesus’ the guy playing the devil said, if you say that name again, I have to leave. Jesus is the rock and His name and words are the strength that we need. This video gives you a parody on what Satan really does. Kids would love this and it’s hard to explain it more simply to them.

I thought it portrayed Satan as being rather wile and deft, while making the Christians obtuse and easily manipulated by his tactics. I think you’re supposed to see it and realize that you won’t be able to stand on your own against him, but need to fall back upon the “J” – God.

Nothing gets Satan running like Christ’s name.

This is so true that Satan is a coward. When Jesus’ name comes up, Satan leaves because he knows Jesus will beat him. I am a proud Christian and you can say whatever you want about it. I will not care. Jesus died for you so that you can have life forever…and satan is killing you forever! You choose. I take JESUS and I am not ashamed! This is for you Satan… HIS NAME IS JESUS and I will say His name FOREVER!

I thought the interview was OK, but even the Bible states that Satan knows the scriptures and he tried to use that against Jesus in the desert. Maybe the next interview should be without the red suit and be a little more serious about the truth of Satan. Maybe you should just hit the streets and film some real life footage of Satan and his best work in the world and the Church today!!!

Please watch the above given video clipping showing the interview with Satan, the devil and say your feedback on the video. Use the comment form given below to note down your feedback on this cute video clip from lifechurch.tv

There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, ‘If I could only see the world, I will marry you.’

One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.

He asked her, ‘Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?’ The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn’t expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him.

Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying : Take good care of my eyes, dear. I’ll always love you.

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This is how the human brain often works when our status changes. Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations. Life is a Gift.

Today before you say an unkind word – Think of someone who can’t speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food – Think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your husband or wife – Think of someone who’s crying out to GOD for a companion.

Today before you complain about life – Think of someone who went too early to heaven.

Before whining about the distance you drive Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.

And when you are tired and complain about your job – Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down – Put a smile on your face and think: you’re alive and still around.