Podcast Summary: "End-Time Pressure vs. Your Faith"

Podcast: Rick Renner Podcast (Audio)
Host: Rick Renner Ministries
Episode: Thursday - End-Time Pressure vs. Your Faith
Date: January 15, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Rick Renner returns to his ongoing teaching series "How Close Are We to the End?" focusing on Matthew 24:3 and the prophetic words of Jesus about the end times. Renner explores two pivotal end-time signs: the abounding of "iniquity" (lawlessness) and the cooling of love among many believers. He breaks down their original Greek meanings and emphasizes how today's societal shifts reflect these biblical predictions. The core message encourages Christians to remain steadfast and "endure" in their faith despite enormous societal pressure and challenges.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Human Fascination with the End Times

• Rick shares personal childhood memories using an hourglass as a metaphor for time and waiting (01:12).
• He sets the stage: Our era is full of questions about the "end of the age," a curiosity spanning 2,000 years.

2. Setting the Biblical Scene: Matthew 24:3

• Jesus sits with His disciples on the Mount of Olives, giving them signs about the end of the age (03:30).
• Disciples ask: "What shall be the sign of thy coming and of the end of the age?" (KJV: "end of the world," but the original Greek means "end of this present age").

3. Review of Previously Covered Signs (04:55)

• Rick recaps the first 16 signs discussed in prior episodes:
  • Worldwide deception
  • Wars and rumors of wars
  • Economic woes, natural disasters
  • Pestilence, disease, catastrophic events
  • Persecution and false prophets

4. Focused Signs: Iniquity & Love Grown Cold (05:30)

a. Sign 17: "Iniquity Will Abound"

• Definition breakdown:

  • "Iniquity" is from the Greek "anomia"—literally "without law" (06:45).
  • It’s more than sin; it’s a cultural or societal rejection of God’s laws in favor of self-created standards:
    • “It pictures a people who have cast aside the law of God and ... want to forge a brand new path. That’s what iniquity is.” (07:40)

• Societal Relevance:

  • Renner observes modern culture as fulfilling this prophecy:
    • “We see this in the judicial system. We see this in education. We see it in Hollywood. As the world goes woke, my friend, the only way you can go woke is if you cast aside what the Bible says. That's what wokeism really is.” (12:03)

• Biblical parallel:

  • Paul’s prophecy in 2 Thessalonians 2:3: A "falling away" or mutiny against God's authority will prevail before the end (09:55).
  • It’s not a minor digression, but a worldwide rebellion: “The Bible describes it as a worldwide rebellion against God in society across the planet.” (10:43)

• "Abound" (Greek: plethuno):

  • Means lawlessness will “increase to maximum capacity” as the age ends (11:15).

b. Sign 18: "The Love of Many Will Wax Cold"

• Greek analysis:

  • "Love" (Greek: agape) refers specifically to God’s love residing among believers, not generic human affection (13:10).
  • "Many" (poloi) implies “vast multitudes” within the Christian community (14:20).

• “It begins to affect agape, the love of God among the brethren.” (13:54)

• "Wax Cold" (Greek: psucho/succo):

  • Not just cooling, but a chilling breeze sweeping through the church, numbing spiritual fervor.
  • “A cold breeze that blows through the church ... cause[s] people to turn cold spiritually at the very end of the age.” (15:45)

• Modern illustration:

  • Fewer attend church; former zeal wanes; compromise increases.
    • “People who don’t go to church as they once did. People who are not as on fire for the Lord as they used to be. ... Now they're adapting new mindsets, becoming more inclusive, more open minded. My friends, it's good to be open minded. But don't be so open minded your brain falls out.” (16:22)

5. The Command to "Endure" (Matthew 24:13)

• Word study:

  • "Endure" (Greek: hupomeno) means “to remain in one spot,” “to resolve, to maintain territory gained”—especially under extreme opposition (17:28).
  • “This is my spot. I’m not moving. I am not surrendering ... hang in there, hold out, outlast, persevere, never giving up, and refuse to surrender to obstacles.” (17:58)

• Practical application:

  • Christians must decide: “The world around us may change, but ... we are not budging.” (19:37)

• Purpose and promise:

  • To “endure unto the end” (Greek: telos—the consummation or conclusion) ensures “you will be delivered, you will be saved, you will experience God’s power.” (20:07)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On lawlessness:
  • “It is lawlessness. ... a period will emerge when society at large will begin to cast off the teachings of God's Word and to form their own way.” (08:07)
• On modern culture:
  • “As the world goes woke, ... the only way you can go woke is if you cast aside what the Bible says.” (12:03)
• On the church’s vulnerability:
  • “There’s going to be a cold breeze that blows through the church that is going to cause people to turn cold spiritually at the very end of the age.” (15:45)
• On steadfast faith:
  • “Never giving up, refusing to surrender to obstacles and turning down every opportunity to quit.” (18:47)

Key Timestamps

• 00:00-01:00: Episode opening, series context, Rick’s introduction
• 03:30: Setting – Mount of Olives, disciples’ question about the end
• 04:55: Recap of signs 1–16
• 05:30: Introduction to signs 17 and 18: Lawlessness and Love grown cold
• 06:45: Detailed Greek study of “iniquity” (anomia)
• 09:55: Paul’s prophecy and mass mutiny against God
• 11:15: “Abound” (plethuno) – lawlessness to maximum capacity
• 13:10: “Love” (agape) – affects mostly believers
• 14:20: “Many” (poloi) – vast multitudes in the church
• 15:45: “Wax cold” (succ(o)) – chilling breeze within the church
• 17:28: “Endure” (hupomeno) – perseverance defined
• 18:47: How endurance looks in Christian life
• 19:37: Application – not budging from God’s truth
• 20:07: “End” (telos) and the full promise of salvation (sozo)

Closing Reflections

Rick urges listeners to "stand firm," not drifting with societal changes but rooting themselves in God's timeless word. His central call is for Christians to recognize the spiritual pressures of the end times, remain faithful amidst lawlessness and apathy, and to endure—guaranteeing they will experience God's delivering power.

For further study:

• Series and related resources at renner.org
• “How Close Are We to the End?” study guide and book: “Signs You’ll See Just Before Jesus Comes.”

Summary prepared for those who want a thorough yet accessible review of the episode, capturing its message, scriptural backbone, and relevance for modern believers.