“All Old Things Are Passed Away.”
By J. H. Rogers
Thus the minds of some are prone to think who are taught the abolition of God's holy law. This thought was forcibly illustrated to my mind, recently, by the answer of a person whom I asked how he liked our position on the prophecies, law and Sabbath, &c. He objected, by saying, “The Bible says all old things are passed away.” Opening my Bible, I turned to 2 Cor. 5: 17, and read, “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new;” then turning to Rev. 21: 1, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away;” &c.; also verse 5, “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.” It does not say, “I make all new things,” referring to the law of God; but to conversion, heaven and earth, and this mortal life. Now, said I, are these the texts you refer to? “Y-e-s, I reckon; let me see, is your Bible like ours?” Here I was reminded of one of our preaching brethren who once had to lend his Bible to a person to convince him there was no difference. It is a fact worthy of notice that there are many who do not know the difference between the word of the Lord and the assertions of men. Thus men will be led into error by relying on the teaching of those who are determined to set aside the claims of the fourth commandment, Eze. 22: 26, 28; and 13: 6-8. What an idea! because the Bible speaks of any one being “in Christ, he is a new creature,” and a promise of a “renewed” heaven and earth, it is sufficient to warrant them in setting aside the only law God has for the governing and final judging of mankind. When will men cease to “pervert the right ways of the Lord?”