“For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” Malachi 3:6

In the last year, there has been a great deal of talk about change. It seems like some people want change for the sake of change itself. Some folks appear to want to make things different even if the outcome is not better, they just want change. It remains to be seen just how much things will change in the coming weeks, months, and years; but no matter how much things change and whether those changes are for the better, one thing certainly has changed. The United States of America has a new president.

In human government, this kind of change is unavoidable. The annals of history are filled with the names of political and military leaders and the dates when they lived and ruled. One king passes off the scene and another takes his place. One president’s term ends and another is sworn in to office. However, down through the ages one thing has been constant. God is sovereign over all. He never changes. Kingdoms rise and fall, but He never changes. What a wonderful thought that the God we serve never changes, He is always the same!

If you were unable to attend the services at North Valley Baptist Church yesterday or see them online, please take the time to go to www.nvbc.org/video.asp and hear yesterday’s messages, Hope in God, and The Second Coming of Our Lord.

We are observing some interesting things these days in our nation and in our world. I used to ponder about how the prophecies concerning the last days could ever take place. I wondered how the people of the world would view the bodies of the two prophets after they were slain as prophesied in Revelation 11. I wondered how there could ever be a one-world government. I wondered how people would ever be willing to receive the mark of the beast. I wondered how people could believe a lie after the rapture took place.

The world has changed a great deal in the last thirty years. Now we hear so much about globalism that it is becoming part of our way of thinking. Technology has changed the way we live and made the world seem much smaller. The threat of terrorism has made many people willing to give up freedom and individuality in exchange for a safer environment. The prophecies in the book of Revelation not only seem possible now, they seem probable. The world seems ripe for a powerful leader to step forward and propose solutions that would call for dramatic changes. If someone could promise peace and prosperity, the world would accept him.

This means that we are living in exciting days. We do not know when Christ will return, but we know that we are to be ready for His coming. I cannot tell you if the rapture will occur in 2009, but I do know that it is closer now than it ever has been. We need to be busy carrying out His commands so that we are prepared to meet him when He appears.