Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:17
Unger defines immortality as exemption from death and annihilation, and with reference to humankind it is unending existence beyond the grave. Sounds good! Where do I sign up?
The unfairness of death is a reality that most people have to deal with before they themselves stop breathing. Why do some young people get cancer and die, while some bitter old grouches make it to a second century? Why does death have to be so final? Why can’t we earn extra lives like in computer games? Why?
Most religions propose one form or another of eternal life, but proof of life beyond the grave is woefully lacking. Sigmund Freud blew off religion as a classic example of wish fulfillment, but he never offered an explanation of why people would even want to live forever.
Being made in the image of God, we long for things that the animal kingdom is oblivious to. Humans are not just higher forms of animal life. We can distinguish between right and wrong and even right and left. We know beauty when we see it and attribute value to pieces of paper or round pieces of metal. The most intelligent dog or dolphin can’t do these things and they don’t aspire to live forever. Eternity isn’t hard wired into their brains as it is with people. Humans want to go back to their roots, go back home to their Creator.
Jesus said, “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth — those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (John 5:28, 29). Christ makes it clear that there is consciousness forever after the body dies, even for those who don’t believe in Him. If someone wants to be with the Savior forever in heaven, he needs to believe the one who has been there and done that. After all, He is the Immortal.
April 29
