On the Arctic tundra in Svalbard, Norway, about 800 miles from the North Pole, there are no gardens, no trees. Yet, deep beneath this barren surface lies the largest concentration of agricultural diversity anywhere on Earth.
Protruding from the side of a mountain is a large angular concrete structure, namely The Svalbard Global Seed Vault. It is home to millions of seeds of crops including rice, maize, potatoes, and wheat; stored some 360 feet inside the mountain; preserved in natural permafrost. The purpose of this seed vault is to preserve a wide variety of plant seeds that are duplicate samples, or “spare” copies, of seeds held in gene banks worldwide. It is an attempt to insure against the loss of seeds in other gene banks during large-scale regional or global crises, such as nuclear war or disease. It is designed to outlast any disaster, and ultimately, all of us.
In April 2017, CBS reported about its important role, titling their news article “The Doomsday Vault: Humanity’s Salvation?”
But in May 2017, many began to question just how secure the seeds really are. The vault was threatened by an unexpected problem. As a result of soaring temperatures, water from melting snow and ice leaked into its entrance. The water was limited to the entrance hall and had no impact on the seeds.
While we may find it amusing that humanity would call a concrete bunker full of seeds their “salvation,” it highlights the fact that most people acknowledge their need of protection against some type of cataclysmic event. They see the world population increasing, they hear rumors of wars, they watch this earth globe get older, and they admit something must change if this world is going to last forever.
This raises two questions that all humanity must answer. “Do I understand my need of salvation?” And “What am I trusting in for my salvation?”
The temptation to trust in the wisdom of this world is not limited to a few scientists in Norway who run a seed vault. It is very common to man. However, the worldly wisdom will always fail. “The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect” (Psa 33:10).
Most people also are tempted to trust in themselves. They assume that through their own wit and wisdom, they will always be able to dodge catastrophe. Paul understood this human tendency. He acknowledged the hand of God (Who used events, even suffering) in His life, to reinforce the fallacy of self-trust and the imperative of trusting Him. “But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead” (2Co 1:9). The Proverb writer also advises us to “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Pro 3:5).
Many people either consciously or unconsciously trust in their good works for salvation. “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Mat 7:22-23).
Others see a secure future in a good paying, steady job, in good financial investments, and in well-padded retirement accounts. These also will disappoint. “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (1Ti 6:17).
But Paul makes it very clear in Act 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” And that saving name is the name of God’s Son, our Savior, and Messiah, Jesus Christ.
All of humanity has an appointment to meet this Jesus. We all will bow the knee before Him. And on that day, we will either be condemned by our worldly trusts or saved by our trust in His work on our behalf.
While having natural seeds preserved is not only logical but also good stewardship, know assuredly that seed vaults are not humanity’s salvation. God help us to surrender our worldly trusts today and replace them with a saving faith in Him. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Eph 2:8).
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