CHANGED FOREVER

Remember the four terrorist attacks by the radical Islamic group al-Qaeda on 11 September 2001? I sure do. The burning twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon Building and a diverted flight that landed in Pennsylvania. There were 3,000 casualties and 25,000 injured. There was also $10 billion damage to property. The most common comment was, “We will be changed forever.” And indeed we have been.

Now nineteen years later we are in the middle of a virus pandemic and unprecedented racial upheaval. These are perilous times. Politics, cultural norms, religion, economics, social understanding and behavior are all up for grabs. As of this writing it is far from over. The most common comment is, “We will be changed forever.” And indeed we will be.

“This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” (Book of Hebrews 12:27-29)

The apostle Paul wrote about one more ‘changed forever’ issue, “Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.”
(1 Corinthians 15:52-53)

Yes, Lord. Changed forever. And indeed we shall be. Hooray!

“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Jesus