BEN F. VICK, JR.
The world about us is constantly changing. The world of 100 years ago would not recognize this new world of today. There have been advancements in the fields of science, medicine, technology and in many other areas. The world of computers is progressing so rapidly that those who buy them for their businesses soon recognize them as being out of date. But in a world of change, there are some things which are changeless; and in an age of constant movement, there remains some things which are constant and unmoveable.
Down through the tunnel of time, with each new generation, Satan and his devices have remained the same. He is cunning and subtle in his attacks. (Gen. 3:1; Eph. 6:11.) His appearances may be concealed with the clothes of an angel of light; but beneath the garb, he is cloaked with the dagger of death. (II Cor. 11:14; Rom. 6:23.) His methods remain the same, regardless of the victim. “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” (I John 2:16.) Therefore, let us not be ignorant of Satan’s devices. (II Cor. 2:11.)
Though the world is changing, man with his basic needs and desires has not changed. We are born into this world with souls as spotless and as pure as the freshly driven snow, but we become polluted and stained by our transgression of God’s law. (I John 3:4.) The Wise Man said, “Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.” (Eccl. 7:29.) Though the prophet Ezekiel was referring to the king of Tyrus, the principle is the same when he said, “Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.” (Ezek. 28:15.) Man has always had the freedom of choice as to whether he wanted “life and good” or “death and evil.” Man’s need for salvation will never change as long as sin is in the world. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23.)
The world of the past as some knew/know it has altered; yet, the love of God for mankind has never admitted alteration. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16.) “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8.) At the same time that God loves the sinner, we must recognize his hatred for sin. (Psa. 119:104; Rev. 2:15.) Regardless of man’s rejection of the only begotten Son, the Father in heaven still loves him. This does not mean God approves of man’s ways. (Jer. 10:23.) Though the prodigal son was in a far country, wasting away his substance in riotous living, the father still loved the lost boy. But this in no way means he approved of his son’s actions. (Lk. 15.) Friends, though the world changes, the Lord said, “I change not.” (Mal. 3:6.)
The church will remain as God intended, even when the world about her is moving. Paul wrote, “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we many serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” (Heb. 12:28.) Daniel wrote by the Holy Spirit 600 years before Christ, “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.) Someone might ask, “Well, what about during the Dark Ages, where was the church?” It may have only been in seed form, but it existed. (Lk. 8:11.) A farmer may have his crop for next year, but only in seed form. The organization, doctrine, worship, practice and name of the church can be found within the seed which is the word of God. If we plant the same seed, we will produce the same crop as the early church did.
In an age of cell phones, i-Pads and laptops, the word of God remains constant and unchanging. We can rely upon it and place our trust in its promises. The Psalmist wrote, “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.) Men have attempted in a number of ways to taint, mar, and pervert it; “but the word of the Lord endureth for ever.”
It is a fact that the life span of man today has increased compared to past generations, but death will still come to all until Christ returns. Paul wrote, “For as in Adam all die…” (I Cor. 15:22.) “What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? Shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave?” (Psa. 89:48.) The Hebrew writer states, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement.” Both death and the judgement cannot be altered. Therefore, the time to prepare is now. (II Cor. 6:2.) There are no second opportunities after death.
The fact that there is a heaven and hell promised to two classes of people cannot be altered. Men may attempt to “explain away” the place called hell, but it still remains. We may not be able to fathom the glories of heaven, but they remain for the obedient. “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” (Matt. 25:46.) Hell is prepared for the devil and his angels, but others will be cast there as well. (Matt. 25:41; 24:51; II Thess. 1:6-10; Rev. 20:10.) Heaven is a sure place for the faithful and obedient. (Rev. 2:10.)
Thus, in a world filled with change, let us “hold to God’s unchanging hand” and trust in his abiding word.