BEN F. VICK, JR.
“And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.” (Dan. 2:44.)
“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” (Rev. 14:6-7.)
What would happen if the gospel were lost, if it were destroyed or obliterated? It has always existed in one form or another. It was in the mind of God from eternity (Eph 3:8-12; 2 Tim. 1:8-11; Rev. 13:8; 1 Peter 1:18-20). He purposed it. He proposed and promised it (Gen. 3:15; 22:18; Gal. 3:8-16). The prophets predicted it (2 Sam. 7:12-14; Isa. 2:2-4; 7:14; Joel 2:28-32). John the Immerser, Jesus, and their disciples prepared for it (Matt. 3:1-3; 4:17; 10:5-7; Mark 1:14-15;). Then, it came to the state of perfection, beginning after our Lord’s death, resurrection, and ascension (Acts 2).
We are promised that God’s word will endure. Long ago, the Psalmist sang, “The words of the Lord are pure words: As silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, Thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.” (Psa. 12:6-7.) Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” (Matt. 24:35.) Peter said, “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” (1 Peter 1:22-25.)
But if the gospel were lost, what would take its place? Would astrology be a substitute for the gospel? God warned Israel of old not to lift their eyes to heaven to worship and serve the sun, moon, and stars (Deut. 4:16-24). Men are not to place their trust in such things. Nancy Reagan made travel plans based on the alignment of the stars and planets. In 1949 the Astronomical Society said, “Whatever hides behind the title of astrology…is nothing more than a mixture of superstition, duplicity and business.” (Peterson, Those Curious Cults, p. 22.)
Would the idolatry of the pagans be a good substitute for Christianity? Paul spoke of such vain religions in Lystra, Thessalonica, and Athens.
Perhaps Islam could take the place of the gospel of Christ. Its adherents follow the teachings of a man who doubted his revelations and visions, a man who killed critics for speaking their minds, who was a ruthless general and raided caravans for financial gain. The Bible has been made available in many languages for centuries, but only those reading Arabic can understand the Quran, the Muslims’ creed, according to Muslims. Muslims do not worship the true and living God revealed in the Bible. Any truth that is found in the Quran was borrowed from the Bible.
Roman Catholicism, with all of its adherents bowing to some man who has clay feet, would not be a substitute at all. Catholicism is a mixture of paganism and Judaism sprinkled with a little Christianity. People are like dumb-driven cattle following whatever the Pope says. They are told that they cannot interpret the Bible for themselves, but that the clergy – the Pope, Cardinals, Bishops and priests are the only ones who can explain it. According to them, truth is whatever the Pope says, though the Popes have changed their doctrines many times.
What about atheism? Would it be a good substitute for Christianity? What has atheism offered the world? Its adherents never wrote a book that made the world a better place. No hospital or nursing home was erected by the followers of such a hopeless religion. And yes, it is a religion. What hope does it offer for the next life? Atheism has no standard of right and wrong. Do you want to live in a society in which every man does what is right in his own eyes as it was in the days of the judges?
What about the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, also known as Mormons? What do the followers of Joseph Smith have to offer? The Book of Mormon is their creed book along with Doctrines and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price. They all have errors in them. Polygamy was once an accepted practice; however, for the territory of Utah to be recognized as a state in the Union, it had to renounce polygamy. Ann Eliza Young was the 19th wife of Brigham Young, who was head of LDS after Joseph Smith. She broke away from him and toured the country, exposing Mormonism, particularly polygamy (Wallace, Irving, The Twenty-seventh Wife, Simon and Schuster, 1961.). They also practice baptism for the dead.
What do all the denominations of the world have to offer? Can any or all substitute for true Christianity? They present to the world a divided front. They teach and practice conflicting doctrines. They all have their organizations following their creed books. Some teach infant “baptism.” Others practice sprinkling, pouring, or immersion. Some celebrate what they are pleased to call communion once a month, quarterly, or bi-annually.
They all were founded by men too late for the first century. There was Luther, who was the head of the Lutheran Church in 1517. Henry the VIII founded the Anglican Church in 1535. The same year John Calvin started the Presbyterian Church, which went by various names according to the country. Wesley started the Methodist Church. John Smyth was the founder of the Baptist Church in 1611. All fall short of the church in the New Testament.
There is just no substitute for the gospel of Christ (Rom. 1:16). It is the everlasting gospel and shall be here as the ages roll on until time shall be no more.