Do Not Remove the Ancient Landmark

Do Not Remove the Ancient Landmark

“Do not remove the ancient landmark, which your fathers have set.” Prov. 22:28. God has set clear boundaries, both in the old as well as in the new covenant. It has always been unprofitable to cross these boundaries. The boundaries between right and wrong, truth and lying, good and evil, light and darkness, faithfulness and guile, humility and pride, low thoughts about yourself and conceit and vanity—are clearly defined. God has put blessings within these boundaries, and also a curse. God commanded Israel to hate the evil and love the good.

The false prophets in the old as well as in the new covenant have tried to erase these boundaries to their own great disadvantage, as well as to the disadvantage of those who are willing to be led by them.

In the religious world there is something that is called the generation gap, and it increases constantly. The older generation sings and speaks about old-time revivals in homes and how there was a separation from the world. The young people think that all that is old-fashioned, and they reach out for the spirit that rules in the world—in song, music, and clothing. The preachers push the congregations far beyond the boundaries of God’s Word, and instead of preparing to meet Christ, they are being prepared to meet the Antichrist, the lawless one. God Himself will send them strong delusions that they should believe the lie because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2 Thess. 2:7-11. The cross of Christ—which Jesus wants His followers to bear daily—is cast aside, as well as the reproach of Christ which is a great treasure.

In the church of the living God, young and old are united more and more in the same Spirit and in the same mind in the growth of the body into Christ who is the head. This is the body that will be raised up at His coming. “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:15-17.

In John 5:30 Jesus says, “I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.” By this will Jesus was completely separated from the glory of the world that passes away and was perfectly united with the eternal glory of the world that is to come.

Here we need to test ourselves: what do we delight in, and what is our desire? “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Rom. 8:6. We need to have a firmly established mind so that we do not waver when trials and temptations come. There was a great gulf between the rich man and Lazarus, and we have to make certain that we are always on the right side.

“Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Cor. 6:17-18.