We are living in a world that is changing at a rapid pace. Items that are in today may be obsolete tomorrow. All of this change has an effect upon the Christian. But the same Lord that ruled the world during the years of persecution is still in control today and knows this. In His providential care, He looks down upon this world and sees how changes affect the Christian.
The Scripture tells us that in the beginning of time the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He posed the question to Eve whether God had really said that they should not eat of every tree of the garden. This immediately made Eve inquisitive as to what that tree would do for her. Then Satan took advantage of the situation and told her, “Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil” (Gen. 3:4,5). Upon being beguiled, Eve’s following that inquisitive nature placed her in a vulnerable position. One thing that caught her attention was that this tree would make her wise, and she desired that.
This inquisitive nature that is instilled in man is very alive today. Jesus said that we as believers are in this world but not of this world. When the carnal man is in control, his inquisitiveness brings him into areas that can be self-destructive. The church continues to have the concern as to the effects the world has on us. What is beneficial for us, and what is not? The Scripture is very clear that we are not to love the things of this world (1 John 2:15,16). Also, the Scripture is very clear that we cannot serve two masters. Jesus told His disciples that He would send the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. These thoughts define a light for the believer’s path. However, Satan knows these scriptures very well, also, and is challenging the believer with his subtle devices, coming as an angel of light. This brings into focus the depth of one’s personal conviction. We also have a nature that wants to be wise. The new gadgets, more up-to-date items, and state of the art inventions that flood the market lure our inquisitive nature to try these things. We are finding that we as believers are continuing to test the boundaries of technology, bringing us into areas that Satan controls, causing many spiritual casualties.
God gave Daniel a vision of the end time, of which in the Scripture it is said, “Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased” (Dan. 12:4). This running to and fro and the fact that knowledge shall be increased gives credit to the changing world in which we live. We as believers need to be aware what spirit is influencing the rapid change.
Genesis 11 tells of the time when the whole earth was of one language. The people decided to build a city and a tower whose top would reach unto heaven to make a name for themselves. Nimrod, who was controlled by the beguiling serpent, was at the head of this project. They set out to accomplish this plan. The Lord saw this and said that “now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do” (Gen. 11:6). So God put a stop to that plan. The same evil spirit that promoted their ideas and tried to control the world of that day is promoting the changes today.
When Abraham Lincoln gave his first inauguration speech in 1860, it took seven days and seventeen hours for it to travel from the East Coast to Sacramento, California. That communication was a record-breaker of that day. This was done by a person carrying the message on rail and horse. In the mid-nineteenth century, Samuel Morse transmitted the first telegraph message, “What hath God wrought?” In doing this, he initiated a new phase in world history. Never before had a message been sent without a person carrying it. In 1969, the first commercial satellite was launched. Now there are more than two hundred such satellites orbiting the earth, each processing and transmitting a vast range of information. For the first time ever, instantaneous communication is possible from one side of the world to the other. It is also noted that more than a trillion dollars is now turned over each day on global currency markets. The value of whatever money we may have in our pockets or bank accounts shifts from moment to moment according to fluctuations in such markets. Is the spirit that influenced Nimrod in building the tower of Babel influencing the world today in that this world is again coming to the point where there is one “language” via the use of state of the art communication? One can see some similarities. The increased impact of Satan’s control of men is bringing many or all nations into one.
The word [i]globalization[/i] has come to the forefront, and that is rapidly changing the course of man’s way of thinking. The amount of information we can collect in a minute of time offers so many options that it greatly hinders the moment by moment time for meditation and quietness that is so needful to hear and understand the voice of the Holy Spirit. Satan has one goal in mind and that is, knowing that his time is short, to go forth with great wrath (Rev. 12:12). And who is he attacking? It is the remnant that is endeavoring to serve God in sincerity. Satan brings lots of ideas, feelings, and emotions, and these can become our direction. This is causing much uncertainty as to what is really the truth.
We will find our answers spending our quiet time in the Word of God, away from the noise and bombarding influences that cause us to reach out for what will make us (worldly) wise. The Holy Spirit that moved the men of old can and will move our hearts today with a deep conviction, which in turn establishes a deep-rooted faith grounded in the Word of God. This is where, and only where, the truth lies. May God bless the church in this time.
From Messenger of Truth, 2011, No. 19
