By Tope Banso
“Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!’ And Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down’” (Mark 13:1-2 New King James Version).
In AD 70, the prophecy of Jesus in the scripture above, was fulfilled. The magnificent temple, rebuilt by Herod the Great, was destroyed by the Roman army. Jesus’ disciples must have wondered how such an architectural masterpiece, admired by the Jews, would be destroyed. Indeed, nothing is permanent.
Nothing is permanent on earth; everything is temporary. This earth, as it is, is not permanent. Even, the present heavens are not permanent; they are temporary! The Bible tells us that eventually, the present heavens and the earth shall pass away. God shall create new heavens and a new earth (Isaiah 65:17, 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1).
Every child of God should know that the country he is living in now, and all the beautiful things therein, shall not continue forever. Therefore, he should seek that better, heavenly country, which shall be eternal.
The heavens and the earth shall pass away but God is permanent (Psalm 102:25-27). Your time here on earth is not permanent. The heroes and the heroines of faith, listed in Hebrews 11, died; they didn’t live forever (verse 13). Your days, too, are disappearing, like smoke (Psalm 102:3a). You’re a temporary resident and foreigner on earth (1 Peter 2:11). This world is not your home; it is your temporary abode (Hebrews 13:14). A born again person should be longing for heaven, a better home (Hebrews 11:16). Nothing on earth is permanent.
Success is not permanent; failure is not permanent. Good health is not permanent; sickness is not. Life is not permanent; death is not. There is death, but there is also resurrection. Nobody occupies any office forever. That’s why we have ex-this and ex-that! There is nothing you have, or you’re going through, positive or negative, that is permanent.
Your time on the present earth is temporary; eternity is permanent. Always focus on that which is permanent: eternity. Where will you spend your eternity? Always look at everything through the lens of eternity. 2 Corinthians 4:18b says the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Whatever you have or don’t have is temporary. Ultimately, nothing on earth is permanent.
As it’s often said, “No condition is permanent.” There’s time and season for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
Whatever you are or have, don’t be puffed up with pride. Nothing is permanent. Even the Permanent Secretary knows that! Everybody desires the best on earth, but the best is not permanent. Nobody remains on the scene forever. Moreover, people are setting new records now and then. Give your life to Jesus today. Accept Him as your Lord and Saviour. Nothing on this earth is permanent.
PRAYER POINT: Father, help me to live, always conscious of eternity.
This is wisdom for living, and it’s worth sharing. Please forward.
(For more inspiring messages, visit: www.cedarministry.org).
▪ Banso, an Abuja-based minister can be reached at Cedar Ministry International, Abuja; cedarministryintl@yahoo.com, cedarministryng@gmail.com
Tel No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523. WhatsApp No: +2349081295947