An Everlasting Memorial

Memorials are some of the “foundation stones” upon which the concept of society is built. Memorial Day in the United States has been officially observed since 1868. With the “COVID years” a receding memory and with an acrimonious election year behind us, many Americans are as eager as ever for the opportunity that national holidays provide—whatever the plans may be. Memorial Day, however, as is often noted, is not just a day for barbecues and beaches.

How was your Memorial Day weekend? Like many holidays, Memorial Day gives time to reflect. Few nations on earth have not felt the touch of war. To honor and remember those fallen in conflict is considered another defining characteristic of civilization. And while those who have lost loved ones in military service undoubtedly grieve and honor their dead in their own ways throughout the year, official holidays are opportunities to share in a collective social experience.

Yet, for all the important memorials and monuments to honor the loss and sacrifice of our veterans, is the world any closer to peace? Has mankind learned the lessons of the 20th century, a quarter of the way into the 21st? And is America, the country many once looked to as leader of the “Free World,” a cohesive society? The Bible has much to say about memorials and the principles of a society that places its trust in God—and about the promises given to those who obey His laws and observe His memorials.

In Exodus 12, as He made ready to deliver His people from bondage in Egypt, God instituted the Passover as a memorial to be kept “as an everlasting ordinance.” He was preparing to establish a nation that would model itself on His teachings, and the first step was to bring it out of a sinful society before He set its people apart to receive His laws.

Those laws and principles, given later in Exodus 20 by His very hand, were to be kept as statutes and passed on in an everlasting covenant: “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 6:7–9).

These laws included keeping the Sabbath as an everlasting testimony—a day set aside for resting in, reflecting on, and worshiping the Creator, sanctified by the hand of God (Genesis 2:3). Later in the book of Deuteronomy, Moses was inspired to record God’s promised blessings for national obedience, including prosperity and protection from enemies (Deuteronomy 28).

Sadly, the nation of Israel failed over the course of history to fully keep God’s laws. Failing to remember, it was cast off to be redeemed later, according to Bible prophecy (Jeremiah 23:3–6). When Jesus Christ, the prophesied Savior, came to sacrifice His life for the sins of all mankind, He, too, established a memorial—a new covenant that would open the way for His servants to fully obey His Father’s commands, which indeed had been given through Him (1 Corinthians 10:4). The Passover was foundational to this, as well—to be kept in remembrance, honoring His sacrifice until His return (Matthew 26:26–28; Mark 14:22–26; Luke 22:14–23; John 13). And He promised to be the stone upon which a willing body of servants would be built (Matthew 16:18).

While it is not wrong to reflect and consider that many have sincerely given their lives for the hope of better countries, better societies, and better futures, it is plain to see that this world has not been truly established on the foundation of God’s laws. No country today has found the way to the perfect cohesive society that so many wars and revolutions are fought to establish—and none will, until Christ’s return.

When Jesus Christ returns—and He will soon—He will establish a world where His laws can truly be kept, and His memorials to that freedom will be the blessings of true peace on earth.

Can you be part of Jesus Christ’s body of servants in this age? We offer free study guides such as Do You Believe the True Gospel? to help you answer that question—along with articles like “Can You Spot a Counterfeit?” and “The Church Behind Tomorrow’s World.” We also invite you to uncover where today’s world is heading with The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy.