Mortality and Eternity

 Much of last week was spent eulogizing and laying to rest President Jimmy Carter.  Some of us remember when he was elected during the bi-centennial celebration of our nation, a crucial moment when we were trying to find our way past Watergate.  Our nation was searching for someone who could restore our confidence in the honesty and character of our highest office. Jimmy Carter stepped forward to give us hope.

 He lived to see his 100^th birthday, the oldest surviving President in our nation’s history. He had embraced his own mortality long ago, submitting to hospice care almost two years before his death, facing the inevitable with confident faith and peace.

 We are all mortal.  We will all die.  The Bible says, “For the Lord God himself knows our estate, that we are but dust.  For man is like the grass of the field that flourishes as a flower.  After the wind passes, it is no more, and its place remembers it no longer, but the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him.” (Psalm 103).  We all want to be remembered.  I suppose that is part of the reason we engage in funerals and obituaries.  But obituaries soon fade and funerals are soon forgotten.  For some, like former Presidents, we engage in lengthy ceremonies.  For a few decades, maybe even a few centuries, historical records and books will bear testimony to their lives.  But eventually.  They will all be forgotten.

 There is something better than being remembered.  According to the Bible we can actually live after our mortal bodies cease. The eulogies for Jimmy Carter were filled with references to his faith.  His grandson read extensively from the Scripture regarding God’s promises.  There is a place where we are never forgotten, a place where we can live, another dimension that Jesus reference repeatedly as “life into the age,”   (eis aionos).   

 The Bible’s promises are clear.  “He will swallow up death for all time. And the Lord will wipe tears away from all faces. And He will remove the disgrace of His people from all the earth.  For the Lord has spoken.  And it will be said on that day, ‘Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us.  This is the Lord for whom we have waited.  Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation,” (Isaiah 25:8-9). 

 Daniel wrote, “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever,” (Daniel 12:1-3).