Learn from History – Or Repeat It

[reprinted from July 2003]

I know that all God does will last forever; there is no adding to it or taking from it. God works so that people will be in awe of Him. Whatever is, has already been, and whatever will be, already is. God repeats what has passed.         Ecclesiastes 3:14-15 (HCSB)

I admit to being a Star Trek fan. I am not a ‘Trekkie” because that would imply that I dress up in a costume, hold up my hand with fingers split apart and intone, “Live long and prosper.” Not likely. Some people are WWII or Civil War fans. I like looking into the possibilities of the future, not the past.

One of the underlying characteristics of the main character, Captain Kirk, is that he is a history buff. He has frequently repeated the words of George Santayana, “those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it”.

God has given me a written word that is timeless. It not only provides wisdom from the past —

Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. 2 For by it our ancestors were approved.          Hebrews 11:1-2 (HCSB)

– but it also legitimately provides me with an application in my life today —

Therefore since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that lies before us…Hebrews 12:1 (HCSB)

The really cool thing is that my heavenly Father desires that I learn from past errors and not repeat them. He gives me His Holy Spirit to inspire me and to reveal His perfect truth. Do I seek His truth or am I determined to go my own way? Am I willing to take God’s word for directions to a better path in my life or am I going to make my own road?

Then he instructed me, “Do not seal up the prophetic words in this book, for the time is near. Let the one who is doing harm continue to do harm; let the one who is vile continue to be vile; let the one who is righteous continue to live righteously; let the one who is holy continue to be holy.”

“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie.

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.”

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.”                  Revelation 22:10-17 (NLT)