CHANGE IN LAW | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 10, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 37.

CHANGE IN LAW.

What would we think of a loyal citizen of the United States who would say, when a change of administration takes place: “Now I am at liberty; the old Constitution is gone, the old treaties and bills of rights, and statutory laws are abrogated.”

“What proof have you of that?” asks an intelligent neighbor.

“Why, the administration is changed,” is the response. “Yesterday the Republicrats ruled; to-day it is the Demlicans. We are no longer under those old Republicrat laws, but under the Demlican gospel.”

“But,” replies his neighbor, “a change of administration does not change the Constitution, the treaties, the bills of rights, the fundamental and statutory law.”

“Don’t it?” is the response, “I guess it does.”

The next day our Demlican friend is arrested for the infraction of some law that he did not like; and all reasonable men, Republicrats and Demlicans alike, say that it served him right.

Yet just so men argue over God’s government, over God’s fundamental and statutory law.

To Israel of old God committed the wonderful trust of His truth, not to pervert, not to hide, not to hug to their own heart; but to give to the world. Rom. 9:4; Ex. 19:5, 6. They were to be priests to the nations. Blessed, they were to be blessings. One of the sacred song-prayers they were taught to raise to God was,—

“God be merciful unto us, and bless us, And cause His face to shine upon us; That Thy way may be known upon earth, Thy salvation among all nations.” Ps. 67:1, 2.

During the time of the Levitical priesthood there were laws of a mere local or temporary character, regulating matters merely ceremonial pertaining to the earthly priests, the sacrifices, the offerings, the earthly sanctuary or temple service. Of course when the system of sacrifices which were offered reached Jesus Christ and the cross of Calvary, the laws and rules regulating them expired by limitation. When the priests came to the rent vail before the ark at the death of Christ, their service was superseded. So the mere routine regulations in government offices, adopted to meet the policy and methods of a certain administration, would expire by limitation when that administration would be succeeded by another. But all government laws made by the supreme power in the government would stand.

So God’s fundamental law, embodied in a largely negative form in the Decalogue, stands forever. It has nothing in it of a local, national, limited, or temporary character. It is, in its given form, for all times and ages, as long as there is a sinner needing its convicting power.

“The works of His hands are truth and justice; All His precepts are sure. They are established forever and ever; They are done in truth and uprightness.” Ps. 111:7, 8.

“It is easier for heaven and earth to pass away; Than for one tittle of the law to fail.” Luke 16:17.