"For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him who hath subjected the same in hope" (Romans 8:20).

Every creature of God (that is everything created by Him) has been subjected to "vanity," or futility. This is the great curse on the ground (Genesis 3:17) imposed thereon because of the primal rebellion of the man who had been given dominion over all the earth (Genesis 1:26).

Although we see the effects all around (and even in) us, certain idealistic theologians argue that Christ, by His resurrection, has already started the gradual triumph of life over death, righteousness over evil, and order over entropy.

But this is wrong. A whole generation after Christ's resurrection, Paul noted that "the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now" (Romans 8:22). Then, after still another generation, Peter said that the devil was still freely walking about "seeking whom he may devour" (I Peter 5:8). Paul, just before his death, predicted that, "in the last days . . . evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse" (II Timothy 3:1,13).

The best-proved of all scientific laws, the law of increasing entropy, describes the tendency in all natural systems toward disorganization and death. Despite the resurrection, therefore, death is still the great enemy and will continue to be so until "Death is swallowed up in victory" when Christ returns (I Corinthians 15:54).

Nevertheless, because of His death and resurrection, Christ has-in principle and sure prospect-"abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (II Timothy 1:10). In the meantime, He commanded us to "Occupy till I come" (Luke 19:13) that "we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming" (I John 2:28). HMM