SCRIPTURE: Zechariah 5
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
This is the curse that is going out over the whole land; for according to what it says on one side, every thief will be banished, and according to what it says on the other, everyone who swears falsely will be banished. [Zechariah 5:3]
The scroll represents God’s judgment against all sinners – both the irreligious (those who steal) and the religious (those who falsely claim to worship God).
The world will increase in wickedness (described as a basket with a lead cover, and a woman in it), and it will take charge in the world (placed in Babylon, the superpower of the day.
The world will become an increasingly immoral, sin-filled, wicked place, and God’s judgment will stand against all who participate in it!

Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. [Matthew 24:12-13]
Jesus is describing the end of times, how the world will end.
We have experienced a bubble in time for the last century, when it seemed that ‘justice’ and ‘morality’ were in charge, but this has been a temporary season in an otherwise dark history.
And things are progressing in a dark direction (see what just happened in England these last few weeks).
History will move towards lawlessness and wickedness, and along with the irreligious who promote it, even religious people will surrender to it, their love will grow cold.
It is not those who claim to be religious, or who go to church, but those who live according to God’s will and purpose, that will be saved in the end.
The one who stands firm for the Lord to the end will be saved.

What Zechariah was addressing then, equally applies today, and all times.
What Jesus describes for the end times applies to today as well.
Wickedness is not described as a beast, but as a beautiful woman, and many are being enticed by her – including those who claim to worship the Lord.
The church in the west is living in modern day Babylonia, and many are compromising and surrendering to the basket laden with sinful delights.
Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. [Matthew 24:12-13]
Where do we stand in this?
Are we standing firm… am I?
Or is my love growing cold?

PRAYER:
Lord, it is hard to stay hot when we are mixing with the cold. I feel lukewarm, and I know this is not good. May Your fire ignite my heart, make me hot for You!