I hear often 'the new normal', but on consideration based on the Bible I suspect it is foolish. Nothing but God remains the same! Nothing. Who thought things could stay normal and stable, and on what basis?
For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. (Malachi 3:6)
There was a thought provoking blog on financial markets that made me consider this peculiar phrase 'the New Normal' Increasingly Chaotic Volatility Ahead - The New Normal Few Think Possible.
The author argues that the future contains significant ongoing and increasing financial instability in the global and local financial markets, especially considering the American lead in trying to 'stimulate' the economy, with an absent, corrupt and clueless direction for spending, and many criminals with their hands stretched out to siphon the stimulus.
Based on Christ's prophecy that there will be distress of nations with perplexity (Luke 21), we might conclude that it is highly likely that there will be an inability to control the financial markets, that will result in distress. We might note that this author has observed this pattern already: it is here now and instability will increase.
Those born during the wars of the last century have seen massive changes, so much so that it may be said that there never was any normal. They saw massive social changes. Massive political upheavals leading to massive immigration of displaced persons, the rise and fall of a Reich and of the Soviets. They saw massive change in the way they would do things from the horse and cart to drive by wire, from the radio to TV to the Internet, from the cheque to the credit card to the pay by phone to cyber (Doge) money. Who would think that things stay the same? When was there ever a normal!
Photos from 'The 20th Century' Woman's Weekly 2000It is a mistake to think that the past was a place with no change. If there is one observation of the world which has been true for all time, it is that the natural environment is always changing.
Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. (Psalm 102:25-27)
In history there is perpetual social change. It is not new that one generation worries that the new generation is not as good! How about it being an issue for over 2500 years?
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this. (Ecclesiates 7:10)
We may see and fear declining morals, and great wickedness – but this too is not new.
Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked; For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out. My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both? (Proverbs 24:19-22)
We see recently rather terrible changes in morality, and we need to keep in mind that Lot was vexed perhaps for more than one day or a year about it, but then Judgement came.
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: (Romans 1:26)
Because there is declining morality, there is a rapid increase in violence, which leads to lack of individual peace, lack of national peace and lack of international peace.
Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace. (Isaiah 59:7-8)
We may fear that resources are reducing, that the planet might run out of oil, or solar panels, or we can't get glue-lam lumber, hardwood or Oregon timber, but this too is not new.
The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars. (Isaiah 9:10)
In the past there has been great political change, even the rise and fall (and rise again) of a massive global religio-political system that changed the ancient times and by decree changed laws
And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. (Daniel 7:25-26)
There is an end, another massive change, a political earthquake as never seen. It was prefigured in the change in the ascension to the high priesthood of Anointed (Christ), achieved in his resurrection when there was an earthquake and the veil to the Most Holy was rent.
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. (Hebrews 7:12-14)
The ordinances of service to Yahweh Elohim were changed and simplified to remembrance of the sacrifice of the way of salvation in bread and wine. And there is yet more change required- we are required to change ourselves daily, to transform our minds, to the image of our Creator in the pattern of our High Priest.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2)
When we do daily prove what is good now, we see not just historic evil, but increasing evil. We not only see change we see the increasingly rapid change. We not only see travel and knowledge increase, we see that it is rapidly increasing as Daniel said would be a feature of the end time.
But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. (Dan 12:4)
Though the pace of change and knowledge may be increased, much of the explosion is knowledge of evil, and very little results in any wisdom. The problems due to the increasing change of this age are not greater than the past, the issue now is that there is less wisdom!
There is more desire in part of Governments to control all things, yet more desire of the 'governed' to be free of all control. The governments seek to take on greater and more impossible tasks with ever inflating bureaucracies, including even controlling the climate and all harm, yet face increasingly resource-hungry demanding entitled lawless people. This lack of wisdom and fear for the changes in the political heavens that we see now, and the people restless and as changeable as stormy waves, is the trouble of the last days predicted by Christ that signals his return as King of the Jews.
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (Luke 21:25-27)
The only hope for stability in a world which has been in turmoil and constant change, recently increasing change, is the future Kingdom of God in Zion.
The LORD is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness. And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure. (Isaiah 33:5-6)
