SETI: (Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence project) is back in the news! The Congress of the United States of America has "pulled the plug on NASA's elaborate search for radio signals from alien life" according to a newspaper report in the San Diego Union-Tribune, November 5, 1993.
As I understand it, this was purely an economic decision—not because the people associated with SETI no longer believe in evolution and alien life! In fact, SETI organizers are pleading for foundations, corporations, and individuals for millions of dollars to enable this project to continue.
The same newspaper report states. "Some speculate that alien intelligence might beam vast streams of coded information a virtual encyclopedia galactica, with insights into the origin of the universe or immortality.
I would be stunned at such a statement if it weren't for Bible passages such as those I read in Corinthians and Ephesians:
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them (II Corinthians 4:4).
Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness: of their heart (Ephesians 4:18).
An intelligence HAS "beamed" vast streams of coded information, which IS a virtual encyclopedia galactica, with the TRUE account of the origin of the universe and ALL we need to know about immortality!
This information is available for the entire world to see. It is easy to understand. It has the answers to what many call "the mystery of life"—it tells us who we are and where we came from and about the gift haveof eternal life in a place with no suffering and death.
Where is this information? Information that was "coded" in languages like Hebrew and Greek has now been translated for the entire world to see and understand. In addition, this is what it states:
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear (Hebrews 11:3).
For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse (Romans 1: 20).
For by Him [Jesus Christ] were all things created ... (Colossians 1:16).
In whom [Jesus Christ] are hid all the treasures of wisdom and edge (Colossians 2:3).
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (II Timothy 3:16).
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (II Peter 1:20,21).
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, which effectually worketh also in you that believe (I Thessalonians 2:13).
From Genesis to Revelation, a special book called the Bible claims thousands of times that it IS the Word of God. This IS the information revealed to us by the One who IS the infinite intelligence (the Creator of all things), who has instructed us in all we need to know about the origin of the universe and how we can spend eternity with Him.
In addition, it is SO obvious that the Bible IS what it claims to be. It is SO obvious that an infinite intelligence created life. It is SO obvious that the flood of Noah's day as revealed in Genesis really did occur. It is SO obvious that what the Bible states about the origin of man are true. Creation science organizations around the world have accomplished much research and published a wealth of materials illustrating these facts.
What is so sad is that, to overcome the American Government's economic decision concerning SETI, organizations and individuals have already pledged millions of dollars toward this fruitless effort that indoctrinates people, including millions of school children, against the Bible, and to believe in evolution. This evolutionary teaching puts up barriers in children and adult's minds to listening to the message of the Bible—the message that there is a gift of salvation—the truth about immortality.
Just imagine if this same money were made available to Creation organizations, so that the "Back to Genesis" message could be spread effectively through society, so the whole world could hear about the most expensive gift of all, that is freely available to every person.
I was touched recently when I saw a fourteen-year-old girl, at our "Back to Genesis" seminar in Canada, receive this gift of salvation from the God of creation. This was one of those "special" conversions. There was no appeal, no music—but a real conviction of sin in a young girl's life.
After giving a lecture on the first eleven chapters of Genesis, answering such most asked questions as the ones about Cain s wife, dinosaurs, the origin of races, the big bang, and why it matters what you believe about origins (morality, etc.), many people came up to me at the break to ask questions.
Two young teenagers brought their skeptical friend who had lots of questions about what she had been taught in public school about evolution—questions about the big bang, the origin of life, and so on. She had been thoroughly indoctrinated in evolution. She said her sister was a scientist, and she believed in evolution. I answered her questions to the best of my ability. I also found out she had been deeply involved in an eastern religion, and came from a non-Christian background.
After the obstacle of evolution seemed to be removed, she then went on to ask questions about the Bible, and Christianity. I shared many Scriptures with her. We got on to the subject of sin. She wanted to know if Jesus could really forgive her sins. I shared with her that Paul said he was the chief of sinners, yet the gift of salvation was given to him.
As I talked and prayed in my heart, I sensed a real burden from the Lord. "Natascha," I asked, "do you want to become a Christian?" "Yes," she replied. "Do you want to confess your sins to the Lord?" "Yes," she replied. We prayed together. Her friends were overjoyed. Many tears were shed. Natascha was a changed girl. She was beaming.
The gift of salvation—how precious! And how we praise the Lord that He has seen fit to use the creation ministry to see many around the world accept this free gift—like Janet from New York who wrote concerning the "Back to Genesis" seminar she attended:
That was the weekend my life changed. Evolution crumbled before my eyes. There really was more evidence for creation. Everything made sense. The Bible was reliable and God really did exist! I walked in a skeptic and walked out knowing there was a God. It wasn't long after that l asked Jesus Christ to come into my life.
At this Christmas time, as you give gifts to relatives and friends, remember that the greatest gift of all is the one God offers to each one of us—the gift of salvation through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23)
And what an expensive gift it is! "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). For all their man-hours and millions of dollars, the SETI scientists have had a fruitless search for life’s origins and meaning, because they were looking in the wrong place!
And for those friends and relatives (remembering that all human beings are our relatives), for whom evolution is a real stumbling block to receiving this free gift, what about conducting some creation evangelism this Christmas—a book, a video, an audio tape. Or speak to them so that they will know that the truth about the origin of the universe has been revealed to us, and that we will live forever (our souls are immortal)! The question is, will we live forever with our Creator, or separated from Him in a place of torment with those who refuse the gift of salvation?
