Mortality

[Xeno.of.athens]

Our lifespan is finite, and neither wishing nor worrying can extend it. Medicine may prolong it somewhat, and good, healthy food may contribute as well. Ultimately, however, death is certain. The number of our days is known to God, not to us.

Christians anticipate a resurrection and eternal life, but the nature of that existence remains a mystery. What would it mean to outlast a mountain, a planet, or even a solar system? How would one spend their days, continually finding meaningful thoughts, words, and actions? Will technology, art, and science persist after the resurrection? It's a mystery.

 

[David Lamb]

Our lifespan is finite, and neither wishing nor worrying can extend it. Medicine may prolong it somewhat, and good, healthy food may contribute as well. Ultimately, however, death is certain. The number of our days is known to God, not to us.

Christians anticipate a resurrection and eternal life, but the nature of that existence remains a mystery. What would it mean to outlast a mountain, a planet, or even a solar system? How would one spend their days, continually finding meaningful thoughts, words, and actions? Will technology, art, and science persist after the resurrection? It's a mystery.

Would eternal life outlast a mountain, a planet, or a solar system? Yes, because it would cease to be eternal if it had an end. I agree that we don't have full details of what eternal life in heaven will be like, but we know that our Saviour will be there, that there will be nothing there that causes sadness of sin. There is a hymn whose last verse says: "Through all eternity to Thee A joyful song I'll raise; But O, eternity's too short To utter all Thy praise."

 

[Xeno.of.athens]

Would eternal life outlast a mountain, a planet, or a solar system? Yes, because it would cease to be eternal if it had an end. I agree that we don't have full details of what eternal life in heaven will be like, but we know that our Saviour will be there, that there will be nothing there that causes sadness of sin. There is a hymn whose last verse says: "Through all eternity to Thee A joyful song I'll raise; But O, eternity's too short To utter all Thy praise."

An eternity of praise is a lot of praise.

 

[Always in His Presence]

An eternity of praise is a lot of praise.

I am looking forward to it!

 

[ViaCrucis]

Our lifespan is finite, and neither wishing nor worrying can extend it. Medicine may prolong it somewhat, and good, healthy food may contribute as well. Ultimately, however, death is certain. The number of our days is known to God, not to us.

Christians anticipate a resurrection and eternal life, but the nature of that existence remains a mystery. What would it mean to outlast a mountain, a planet, or even a solar system? How would one spend their days, continually finding meaningful thoughts, words, and actions? Will technology, art, and science persist after the resurrection? It's a mystery.

Resurrection doesn't consist of the material creation in situ, but of the total renewal of creation. It wouldn't, therefore, make sense--would it--to speak of outlasting a mountain, since the mountains themselves are beatified; the planets, the stars, the dirt under our feet and the cosmic expanse likewise partaking in that beatific existence.

It raises the question of whether time itself would be in any way meaningful in the Age to Come. It truly is a mystery, though I am of the mindset that all which is truly good will never be lost.

St. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians, in light of the hope of the resurrection, that our labors in the Lord shall not be in vain. That which is done here, in some sense, persists into eternity. Exactly how we don't know. But, likewise, the Apostle reminds us that no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor heart conceived of the good which God has planned for us.

When God saw all that He made He declared it exceedingly good--I believe in that good, and that it will never be lost, but restored and healed and perfected in that future estate. There remains that which is good and beautiful, even here in the midst of this fallen evil world, the love with which we are called to love one another will certainly not be lost, but perfected. I don't know if art will persist, or what art will exist; but I believe that there is an intrinsic goodness to art. What will that mean in the Age to Come? I don't know. But I am hopeful that all that is lovely, all that is good, all that is beautiful--truly and actually--does not have mere temporal significance, but means something eternally.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[The Liturgist]

I am looking forward to it!

Resurrection doesn't consist of the material creation in situ, but of the total renewal of creation. It wouldn't, therefore, make sense--would it--to speak of outlasting a mountain, since the mountains themselves are beatified; the planets, the stars, the dirt under our feet and the cosmic expanse likewise partaking in that beatific existence.

It raises the question of whether time itself would be in any way meaningful in the Age to Come. It truly is a mystery, though I am of the mindset that all which is truly good will never be lost.

St. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians, in light of the hope of the resurrection, that our labors in the Lord shall not be in vain. That which is done here, in some sense, persists into eternity. Exactly how we don't know. But, likewise, the Apostle reminds us that no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor heart conceived of the good which God has planned for us.

When God saw all that He made He declared it exceedingly good--I believe in that good, and that it will never be lost, but restored and healed and perfected in that future estate. There remains that which is good and beautiful, even here in the midst of this fallen evil world, the love with which we are called to love one another will certainly not be lost, but perfected. I don't know if art will persist, or what art will exist; but I believe that there is an intrinsic goodness to art. What will that mean in the Age to Come? I don't know. But I am hopeful that all that is lovely, all that is good, all that is beautiful--truly and actually--does not have mere temporal significance, but means something eternally.

-CryptoLutheran

These are very beautiful answers. Thank you @hislegacy and @CryptoLutheran for that very decent contribution to this thread.

 

[RileyG]

I am looking forward to it!

Me too!

 

[RileyG]

Eternity is not possible for the human mind to comprehend. Indeed, we have a very short lifespan. (see Psalm 90).

Heaven is union with God where will we have the Beatific Vision of seeing God face to face.

Are details really necessary? No. I just trust in his goodness and faithfulness.

 

[HarleyER]

Our lifespan is finite, and neither wishing nor worrying can extend it. Medicine may prolong it somewhat, and good, healthy food may contribute as well. Ultimately, however, death is certain. The number of our days is known to God, not to us.

Christians anticipate a resurrection and eternal life, but the nature of that existence remains a mystery. What would it mean to outlast a mountain, a planet, or even a solar system? How would one spend their days, continually finding meaningful thoughts, words, and actions? Will technology, art, and science persist after the resurrection? It's a mystery.

I find I don't have enough time in the day now to get everything done. I suspect eternity will be the same way.

 

[bling]

Our lifespan is finite, and neither wishing nor worrying can extend it. Medicine may prolong it somewhat, and good, healthy food may contribute as well. Ultimately, however, death is certain. The number of our days is known to God, not to us.

Christians anticipate a resurrection and eternal life, but the nature of that existence remains a mystery. What would it mean to outlast a mountain, a planet, or even a solar system? How would one spend their days, continually finding meaningful thoughts, words, and actions? Will technology, art, and science persist after the resurrection? It's a mystery.

What give you the most joy during your Christ like life here on earth?
Would you say: Jesus seemed to take the greatest joy from helping others which also seemed to please God the most?
My thoughts on this are: There will be lots (to many really, which is my fault) people in heaven who never had the opportunity to fulfill their earthly objective, so they lack Godly type Love. Without that Love they will need to be protected and preserved for eternity. I would like to participate in protecting and preserving those I did not teach to the point of providing them the opportunity to fulfill their earthly objective. It is the least I could do and adds to my desire to allow the Spirit to work through me mentoring others.