Since the beginning of man’s history in this world, there have been attempts to build structures that would outlast the lifetimes of those who built them and would thus be lasting monuments to recall the memories of the builders. In another article in this issue, we have already mentioned the city that Lot built, and later the tower of Babel, which men attempted to build after the flood. It is noteworthy that the stated aim of this tower was to “make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth” (Gen. 11:44And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. (Genesis 11:4)). This was in direct contradiction to the purpose of God, for His instruction to Noah was that they should “be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Gen. 9:11And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. (Genesis 9:1)). It was not God’s will that they should all remain in one place. God’s confounding of the languages at that time forced men to separate.
Long-Lasting Buildings
The most impressive and long-lasting buildings in this world are probably the pyramids of Egypt, which are apparently at least 4,000 years old. The size and grandeur of them is staggering. The great pyramid of Giza covers 13 acres at its base, is composed of 2,300,000 stones, and weighs about 6,000,000 tons. While most of the stones weigh about 2½ tons, some weigh as much as 80 tons.
The workmanship on the great pyramid is amazing. When I visited it for the second time (more than 25 years ago), I took a piece of paper with me. When we entered the burial chamber, I carefully went around the whole room, trying to fit my piece of paper into the spaces between the stones. The stones were fitted together so well that I could not slide the paper in even one or two millimeters (less than one-tenth of an inch) at any place.
Later, others also built structures that they hoped would last indefinitely. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, could boast, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?” (Dan. 4:3030The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty? (Daniel 4:30)). Yet later the city of Babylon was so obliterated that many historians questioned whether it had ever existed. It was only in the 1840s, when Sir Austen Layard began his excavations in the Middle East, that the ruins of ancient Babylon were discovered. Of course, no true believer ever doubted the account in Scripture or questioned the existence of ancient Babylon.
The Rebuilding of London
In the latter half of the seventeenth century in England, a clever and famous architect named Sir Christopher Wren was responsible for rebuilding London, England, after the Great Fire destroyed much of the city in 1666. Many of the present churches in London, including St. Paul’s Cathedral, were designed and built by him. There is good evidence that he was a true Christian, but when he died and was buried in St. Paul’s Cathedral, his son could not resist placing an epitaph on his tomb, in Latin: “If you wish to see my monument, look around you.”
Many other structures have survived, at least partially intact, from Greek and Roman times, such as the Acropolis in Athens, some of the aqueducts, the Colosseum in Rome, some bridges, and some amphitheaters. We could go on and on, describing other buildings that man has made in past ages. Some have survived, but many have either disappeared or are in ruins.
The time, energy and money involved in erecting some of these buildings is phenomenal, and while some of them may have been built for practical use, many were clearly built for human glory. But all will perish one day, whether under the direct judgment of God or when this earth is burned up prior to the creation of the “new heavens and the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:1313Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2 Peter 3:13)).
Live in View of Eternity
What a privilege it is to live in this world in view of eternity! In his day, about 3,500 years ago, Moses clearly saw beyond all that this world had to offer and chose “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season ... for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward” (Heb. 11:25-2625Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. (Hebrews 11:25‑26)). The Apostle Paul, likewise, “suffered the loss of all things” that he might “win Christ” (Phil. 3:88Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (Philippians 3:8)). His view of his actions was always toward “that day,” when his life would be reviewed in the light of what God valued. He could say to Timothy, “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep for that day the deposit I have entrusted to Him” (2 Tim. 1:11Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, (2 Timothy 1:1)2 JnD). That deposit could never be stolen, fall into ruins, or be destroyed, for “he that doeth the will of God abideth forever” (1 John 2:1717And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (1 John 2:17)).
W. J. Prost