Lessons Not Learned From History

History studies in schools and universities often seem to amount to little more than learning about events, battles, documents and personalities. H. G. Wells said that the “narrow history teaching” of our school days was mainly “an uninspiring and partially forgotten list of national kings or presidents.”

Yet, for thinking people, history should be a lantern to cast light on the pitfalls of the past and the present. It should give some hope for the future. Consider, now, some notable lessons from history and what mankind has failed to learn from them.

LESSON 1​—Changes of government: As in the days of the French Revolution, the tendency is for like to succeed like, the “change” being more apparent than it is real. Thus, tyranny may well succeed tyranny. In Western democratic societies, like that of the United States or Great Britain, party succeeds party by election. But fundamental changes do not really occur.

Interestingly, noted writer Paul Valery observed: “All politicians have read history; but one might say that they read it only in order to learn from it how to repeat the same calamities all over again.” But why is this so? Basically because what the Bible says is true: “It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.”​—Jeremiah 10:23.

What is the lesson in this? “Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs.” (Psalm 146:3) The promises of men are usually unreliable. Though they may conscientiously try, do not expect men to bring about a totally satisfying rule. Only Jehovah God can and will do that by means of his Kingdom with Jesus Christ as King.​—Matthew 6:9, 10; Isaiah 9:6, 7; Daniel 2:44.

LESSON 2​—Religion in politics: History indicates that the priesthood of organized religion in any age, when wielding political clout over the populace, functions as a tool to maintain the status quo, often for the benefit of the ruling element. A case in point is the role played by the Roman Catholic hierarchy in Europe and elsewhere in the perpetuation of the feudal system after the fall of the Roman Empire in the fifth century C.E. For a millennium or more, the Church in both West and East worked closely with kings, czars and lords to maintain the privileges and preserves of the few at the top of the social pyramid.

In return the Church was given land (the basis of power in the feudal system), and its members were addressed as “my lord Abbot” or “my lord Bishop.” The pope himself was, possibly, the most powerful monarch in Christendom. Such power can be seen in a list of papal prerogatives published by Pope Gregory VII in the 11th century. These included “the power to depose emperors” and to “annul the decrees of anyone.”

The rulers of ancient Babylon, Egypt, Aztec America, Hindu India​—indeed, perhaps all societies of the past—​have used the religious system to entrench their own interests. And for selfish advantage worldly religion has ever sought to promote close ties with the State. But what is the lesson in all of this? It is that when religion mixes with politics and becomes involved in the world and its political affairs, the masses suffer and confusion results. Such spiritual fornication contributes to its being disgusting to God. (Revelation 17:3-5) Moreover, from the Bible we learn that one requirement of God-approved worship is ‘keeping oneself without spot from the world.’​—James 1:27.

LESSON 3​—Material prosperity: In some lands and periods of history notable material prosperity has been enjoyed. Many hold that happiness and contentment increase with the resultant rise in the standard of living. But what does history really teach? That material prosperity is not enough to make people happier. Besides material things, however, what else is needed?

In his book Man, God and Magic, Ivar Lissner commented: “One can only marvel at the perseverance with which man has striven, throughout his history, to reach outside himself. His energies were never directed solely toward the necessities of life. He was forever questing, groping his way further, aspiring to the unattainable. This strange and inherent urge in the human being is his spirituality. . . . Man is not content merely to sleep, eat and warm himself . . . All the civilizations of mankind that have ever existed were rooted in religion and a quest for God. Without faith, religion and God, civilization is inconceivable.”

Nineteen centuries ago, Jesus Christ said: “Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need, since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.” (Matthew 5:3) Hence, although material prosperity may bring some pleasure, from this history lesson we learn that true happiness results from cultivating and satisfying our spiritual need.

LESSON 4​—Social betterment: It is impossible to make a better world without making better people. Actually, history proves that “man has dominated man to his injury.” (Ecclesiastes 8:9) Yes, such developments as the abolition of slavery have contributed to social betterment. But various human factors continue to bring death to millions in inhuman wars. For genuine social betterment, people need to be taught love for fellow humans. (Matthew 22:39) True, the Bible indicates that it will take a thousand years to raise humankind to perfection under the kingship of Jesus Christ and his anointed corulers. But that period is about to begin, and it will be one of the many achievements of the Kingdom of God.​—Revelation 20:4-6; 21:1-5.

IF HISTORY seems to repeat itself, could it be that there has been an unseen architect of mankind’s sad history? Do his works reveal the unmistakable stamp of an evil personality? The Bible’s answer is clear.

The Christian apostle Paul identifies this architect of mankind’s unhappy history as “the god of this system of things,” Satan the Devil. (2 Corinthians 4:4) Why, “the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one”! (1 John 5:19) So it should not be surprising that in history tyranny follows tyranny, for the wicked spirit “world rulers of this darkness” would have it so. (Ephesians 6:12) History, then, should teach us that there can be just one truly satisfying change in government. Tyranny will be a thing of the past only under the rule of God’s Kingdom.

What about Lesson 2, involving religion and politics? It is clear that false religion’s friendship with the world has not offset the moral decay that the apostle Paul gave as a feature of “the last days” of this system. He said that people​—even those professedly devout—​would be “lovers of themselves, lovers of money” and “lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God.” They would have merely “a form of godly devotion.”​—2 Timothy 3:1-5.

Why have ministers of the world’s religions failed to stem this unspiritual tide? In part, they have been unable to do so because they have always sought to mix religion and politics. This makes them unclean in the eyes of God, and from this we should learn that we must refrain from such involvement if we are to be friends of Jehovah God.​—Revelation 17:1, 2, 5; James 4:4; John 15:19.

Additionally, material prosperity has not made those enjoying it truly happy. Materialism is also being used by Satan and his demons to draw people away from serving God. (Mark 4:19) This history lesson should teach us that genuine happiness comes from awareness of our spiritual need and our doing something to satisfy it.

Finally, a study of history in the light of the Bible should convince us that human betterment can never be achieved apart from God. Of course, imperfect humans cannot make the needed world changes.

Perhaps of lessons not learned from history, the greatest of all is that Satan has been the ruler of the world.