You will find that man changes his way, but never cures himself. This truth has had abundant illustration in the progress of the world’s history and may be a seasonable warning to us just at this moment.
Israel in the wilderness showed this. They made a calf first; afterward they made a captain. The unclean idol was abandoned for the presumptuous thought of setting up one from among themselves (Aaron), but this was only change and not cure.
Israel in the land did the same again. For many years they had the idols of the nations as their gods, till Babylon became the place of their captivity and judgment. But when they returned to the land, though they did not return to their idols, they became infidel and presumptuous. Read their ways in Ezra and Nehemiah, and very specially in Malachi. Again it was change and not cure.
The Unclean House
The Lord in His teaching contemplates this. (See Matthew 12:43-4543When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. (Matthew 12:43‑45).) It was first the unclean house, and then the swept and garnished house. But this was no cure. Some said the Lord did His works by Beelzebub, and others challenged Him for a sign. They may vary in the form of their enmity, but it is enmity still. And instead of all this change working a cure, the last state is worse than the first. What transpires in the swept house is still worse than what had been witnessed and practiced in the unclean house.
This, beloved, is serious truth, but it is seasonable. The nations are now restless and ripe for a change. Men’s hearts are beating high and promising them great things. But it is well to remember that man may change his way, but he never can cure himself. The change ends only in something worse. In the "latter times" of Christendom we get certain forms of evil (1 Tim. 4), but when we read "the last days," we see only a change of the former (2 Tim. 3). It is evil still and no cure.
In the awful disclosures of Revelation, again we find this. It is change and not cure. The woman that corrupted the earth is removed, but the beast and his army take the lead and pit their strength against the Lord (Rev. 19). The kings of the earth may hate the whore and put her down, but then it is only to give their power to the beast and raise him up (Rev. 17).
Judgment – Not Change
Thus changes are witnessed. One form of evil gives place to another form of evil. There is no cure. Judgment must be executed, and that is not cure, but the making way for something new. The judgment will displace man and corruption and make room for Christ and His power and righteousness.
The evil is incurable and must be displaced by judgment. And just as man’s change of his ways did not work a cure, so the Lord’s different dealings with him has not worked correction. "Let favor be showed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness" (Isa. 26:1010Let favor be showed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the Lord. (Isaiah 26:10)). All tells us that nothing remains but judgment. As says the same prophet, "When Thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness" (Isa. 26:99With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. (Isaiah 26:9)). And again, "All nations shall come to worship before Thee; for Thy judgments are made manifest" (Rev. 15:44Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. (Revelation 15:4)). Judgment therefore closes the scene and makes way for a new thing — not a mended thing. But glory succeeds judgment.
Words of Truth (adapted)