Articles / Class Lessons
“It Can Change So Fast”
The fall from extreme prosperity to oppression can be very quick and sudden. Good times can turn bad very quickly. During the days of Jesus, the Jews were a shell of their former self, but very proud of their civilization and religious heritage. In 20 B.C., Herod the Great began to rebuild the temple complex and it was a sight to behold. It was a source of pride for the Jewish people, and we get just a hint of that by the comments of the disciples to Jesus in Matthew 24.1-2. When Jesus says not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down, it was unbelievable to the disciples. How could such a great building be destroyed? But yet in their lifetime (24.34), that would happen. In fact, all of Jerusalem would be destroyed. Almost unimaginable at the time Jesus uttered these words, the Romans came in 67 A.D., holding the city hostage for a number of years, and then finally leveling it in 70 A.D. What had been so unimaginable became a horrible reality.
What about us? Over the last five decades our country has experienced unparalleled wealth, power, and luxury; so much that the rest of the world combined cannot match. We are sophisticated, smug, and confident. We relish in our technical advancements, fine homes, ease of transportation, and marvel at the quality of our healthcare. America takes pride in its ingenuity, educational opportunities, and freedom. While there is nothing wrong with demonstrating pride in our achievements, we err if we fail to recognize that our current status is because of the grace and mercy of God. Unfortunately, there are very powerful forces in our culture that seek to direct us away from God. As we bask in our success there is a real danger that we could view the message and truth of God as back-woods, simplistic, out of date, and obscure. Are we that different from generations before? How strange does God’s word sound in modern American society? Does it seem out of place? Will His message fall on deaf ears? Have we become so comfortable that we cannot possibly imagine living under different circumstances? As we bask in our material blessings and witness our culture turning away from godly living, we should be warned that sin will not go unpunished by God. He is just as much in control of today’s world as in Bible times. Is it possible that during our lifetime the good times we experience today will be but a distant memory?
Christians have been charged to be light shining in the midst of a dark world. Have you given your heart to God? Prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, Philippians 2:15-16a.
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