"Change is not made without inconvenience, even from worse to better."
—Richard Hooker

17-Dec-04

Essay: Is Change the Only Constant?

"The only constant is change."

This is a very popular saying. So popular, in fact, that in a vain attempt to find its original source, I came across hundreds of web pages using this phrase and various derivations of it. This maxim is used to advance such concepts as frequent corporate policy amendments and early retirement, as well as to sell everything from cameras to banking services.

But is it a true statement? Is change really the only constant?

As we short-lived humans consider the vast changes in the world that have taken place since our childhoods, and as we look at the dazzling, high-tech world around us, we might probably all nod and agree, perhaps with some lamentation and nostalgia, "Yes, everything is changing so fast!"

However, God begs to differ. Through Solomon, He surprises us by saying:

That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which it may be said, "See, this is new"? It has already been in ancient times before us. (Ecclesiastes 1:9-10)

These verses are not meant to agree with those who believe that the ancients possessed aerospace, computer, and other advanced human technologies. No, God is informing us that the critical events in the history of mankind often repeat themselves, and that what goes around comes around. Why? Because people continue to repeat the same old sins and mistakes; they refuse to learn from their past errors.

Other parts of the Bible confirm this. For instance, once we come to understand the true symbolism of the Four Horsemen of Revelation 6—religious deception, war, famine, and disease—we also learn that, although we believe that their effects will increase to a frantic gallop in the last days, they have ridden at various paces since the beginning of man's earthly sojourn.

In studying the lives of the kings of ancient Israel and Judah, we soon see that, apart from a few exceptions, they seemed unable to learn the potentially valuable and corrective lessons from the mistakes and sins of their predecessors. Further reading about their later nephews and nieces—the monarchs of Britain—quickly reveals that, to this day, they have also repeated many of those very same sins. No change here!

Surely some of the recent "innovations" are brand new, right? As an example, I sincerely thought that the concept of same-sex marriage was a bona-fide recent change—until last week, when I was truly shocked to read the following sentence in Leo Tolstoy's partially non-fictional work, "Resurrection," published in 1899, one hundred and five years ago: "I can show you a Russian book containing the project of a German writer, openly proposing that it should not be considered a crime, and that men should be allowed to marry men."

After reading this, I do not doubt that there were probably even earlier instances of the practice. Still, although there may have been nothing really new under the sun to this date, God's people should beware of falling into the other ditch—that of adopting the official view of the Roman Catholic and some Protestant churches, who repeat week after week the doxology suffixed to many of their prayers: "As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen."

We must take care not to begin thinking that the future holds nothing new. God has given His children many advance warnings of the major changes just ahead of this generation. Huge, unprecedented, earth-shaking, world-changing events lie just around the corner. Jesus warns us to be ready (Matthew 24:42-44).

We must not allow our worldview to be limited by the relatively brief length of our lives. Even though we may be short-lived, we must not be short-sighted.

- Staff

---

From the Archives: Featured Sermon

Checklist for Overcoming
by John W. Ritenbaugh

John Ritenbaugh examines the problem of empty externalism (accompanied by no inward change) extant in the greater church of God- a problem which led to its scattering. All of us, individually and collectively were responsible for its demise. God has promised to hear our prayers if we humble ourselves and turn from our sins. Having the right doctrines is of no avail unless they are acted upon. After our conversion, our minds become a perpetual battleground against our prideful human nature, requiring that we sacrifice and humble ourselves in God's service. Romans 12-16 provide a checklist for overcoming and promoting positive relationships, developing tender affection toward one another. We must realize that we are mutually dependent upon one another, and that God has given gifts so that all may benefit or profit.

---

From the Archives: Featured Article

Facing Change: A Lesson from I Kings 13
by John O. Reid

Using the story of God's prophet in I Kings 13, John Reid derives several lessons we can apply in this time of doctrinal confusion.

---