The reality of eternal life
We seek little more than the desire to live longer.
Ponce De Leon tried to find the Fountain of Youth. Scientists are trying to unlock DNA and stop the aging process. Hollywood has depictions of various characters who feature longevity or immortality. Christopher George starred in a TV drama about a man who had immortal blood. The Age of Madeline dramatized a young woman who accidentally stopped aging, becoming younger than her own daughter. The Highlander series showcased a group of immortal humans who lived secretly but hunted each other for the power derived from killing one of their own. Marvel’s Wolverine had a recovery ability that enabled him to defy aging.
Other attempts fictionalized at one time were to transfer consciousness into data fields, or cloning, or to hyper freeze/hibernate an individual until science discovers a cure for death. Tech giants and scientists around the world are now pursuing these actions with vigor.
The appeal to never die is attractive. However, the realism posited into some of these storylines is that even though the ageless character lives on, a loved one doesn’t. Immortals must watch that loved one age and eventually die.
But consider how heartbreaking it would be if we lived on while every loved one dies.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to live, or exist longer, especially if you are approaching that average life expectancy. People just want to live longer to see the grandchildren grow up or to enjoy a few years in retirement.
I have seen, heard and read what others have to say about immortality, but what does God say about immortality?
Heb 9:27 KJ states, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement.”
So we are warned that everyone will at some point die.
1 Cor 15: 42-54 gives us a more complete understanding that sometime after we physically die, our perishable, corruptible, mortal bodies will be changed into immortal glorious forms. But how is that possible you say?
In John 10:28 NIV Jesus explains, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish: no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
This is reaffirmed when Jesus says in John 17: 3 NIV, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”
Also, in Matt 25:46 KJ, Jesus is explaining the different futures of people when he states, “and these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into eternal life.”
I could prove through many scriptures that we will die physically, but those who die in Christ will be given new bodies that will be immortal. We belong to God and those who die in Christ will live eternally, forever, without end.
Romans 8:11 NIV, “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his spirit who lives in you.”
This isn’t Hollywood, this is God. The answer to live forever has always been with us. It’s called the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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Blessings.