The Eternal Word by A. E. CHRISTIAN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Oct 12, 1905

The Eternal Word

By A. E. CHRISTIAN

A. E. CHRISTIAN

All things earthly are mutable. We pass away. Nations rise and decline. Art and literature have their periods of advance and retrogression. There is life and death on every hand.

Through the changes of time and environments “the word of the Lord endures forever.” It is his unchangeable truth. It is destined for all ages and adapted for all classes and conditions. No power on earth can supersede it or destroy it.

We now hear much about science. Many intelligent minds have used it to defy God's Word, while some tremble for the Bible with every new advance in scientific research. This fear is unwarranted. Nature and revelation have the same God, and there can be no conflict between them when rightly understood. God will see that his truth is vindicated. Researches in nature have developed no well-established fact to invalidate the Scriptures. It verifies the Word. Astronomical and geological records and explorations of Bible lands, have wonderfully corroborated the Scriptural accounts of the past. We need not be frightened by what skeptical scientists boastingly affirm. We should not be hostile to any true development of science. The more we know about God's laws in nature, the better we shall understand his Word.

This world has been subject to political changes and commotions for nearly six thousand years. But this does not affect the durability of the Word. Nations have changed their boundaries and forms of government, still the Word changes not. God says, “I will not . . . alter the thing that has gone out of my lips.” Many of these changes were plainly foretold in the prophetic word centuries before they came. These fulfilments are an undeniable evidence of the truthfulness of inspiration. Let us study it more.

Rapid and vast has been the advance of learning. Centuries ago the human race was steeped in ignorance. Knowledge was accessible only to a few. Now education is within the reach of all. Many and wonderful are the results of learning. Still it was not God's purpose that it should supersede his Word. Education is one means through which the gospel is to be carried to the regions beyond. It can act as a handmaid to religion, but can never take its place. There is a want in the human soul which nothing but the consoling influence of God's Word can satisfy.

The Bible still survives. Many a good cause has expired with its propagator. Others have been smothered by confinement in gloomy dungeons, by its persecutors. God's Word is independent of all human agents. It is still the grand, living Word of the unchangeable God. It works in its own time and way, winning victories when and where least expected.

Its vitality and immutability is very evident by the power to withstand all attacks of its enemies, pagan, Jew, or infidel. It has now won its way through scorn, contempt, and persecution, to earth's remotest bounds, and is lighting gloomy, godless homes in all heathen lands. It goes forth conquering and to conquer.

The Word of the Lord never fails; it invites our confidence, and guarantees our present and eternal happiness. Then, brother, sister, let us accept it as our guide and instructor.

Arvilla, N. D.