What other scriptures emphasize the temporary nature of worldly pursuits? The Anchor Verse: 1 John 2:17 “The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God remains forever.” God’s Word states the issue plainly: everything tied to this fallen system is already on the way out, while obedience to God is forever. The rest of Scripture keeps driving this truth home. Old-Testament Snapshots of Fleeting Glory • Psalm 39:5-6—“Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath…he stores up wealth, not knowing who will use it.” • Proverbs 23:4-5—Riches “sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.” • Isaiah 40:6-8—“All flesh is grass…The grass withers, the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” • Ecclesiastes 1:2—“Vanity of vanities…All is vanity.” – 12:13-14 then redirects us to what endures: “Fear God and keep His commandments.” Jesus on What Won’t Last • Matthew 6:19-21—Earthly treasure is moth-eaten, rust-ruined, thief-stolen; heavenly treasure is secure. • Mark 8:36—Gaining the whole world is useless if the soul is lost. • Matthew 16:26 echoes the same cost-benefit reality. • Luke 12:15-21 (parable of the rich fool) shows plans cut short in a single night. Apostolic Echoes and Warnings • 1 Corinthians 7:31—“This world in its present form is passing away.” • 2 Corinthians 4:18—“What is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” • Philippians 3:7-8—Paul counts every earthly gain as “rubbish” compared with knowing Christ. • Hebrews 13:14—“Here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.” • James 4:13-14—Life is “a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” • 2 Peter 3:10-11—The Day of the Lord will dissolve the very elements, calling believers to live holy, godly lives now. Quick Reference List for Personal Meditation Why These Verses Matter Today • They expose the illusion of permanence that advertisers, culture, and even our own hearts promote. • They lift our eyes from passing pleasures to lasting joys. • They fuel wise stewardship: using, but not idolizing, earthly resources. • They strengthen endurance in trials—knowing present pain and present prosperity are both short-lived compared with the eternal reward. |
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