Immortality--Anyone?

“Immortality” by briefest definition is “unending existence”.  Does the notion of such existence appeal to you?  What if the response were, “It doesn’t matter what you think, you’re going to live forever”.  Consider Adolf Hitler, when he committed suicide do you suppose he thought he was ending it all, with no thought of consequence?  Surely he didn’t think he would have to answer for his actions after death.  But what if part and parcel of our being made in the image of God means we have “unending existence”?

If we do have “unending existence” our control over the destiny of our “ship of life” ceases immediately upon our death.  At that moment other control factors swing into action.  From the Biblical perspective this happens, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).  Part of that “judgment” is immediate, part deferred.  The immediate part is demonstrated in the words of the Apostle Paul, “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord” (II. Corinthians 5:8).  Here “believers” at death are with the Lord, but not unbelievers.  “Judgment” is already being enacted.  But, what of “unbelievers”—where are there spirits for they continue?  One thing’s for sure, they’re not with the Lord.

Then there’s the “deferred” part of judgment, it’s known as the “Great White Throne” Judgment, designed for unbelievers, and follows the 1,000 year reign of Christ upon the earth.  To face this judgment a special resurrection will be designed for unbelievers, so they face judgment in their bodies.  About resurrection Paul said, “Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?” (Acts 26:8).

Now follows the tough part, judgments handed down from the Great White Throne.  Here is what the Apostle John said about it, “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away.  And there was found no place for them.  And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened.  And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life.  And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.  The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them.  And they were judged, each one according to his works.  Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire.  This is the second death.  And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:11-15).

And this existence will continue on and on and on. . .for we are all children of God.

It doesn't have to end this way.  Jesus died for the forgiveness of our sins, so that our acceptance of that fact, by faith, would preclude our having to appear at the Great White Throne judgment.  What will it be?  The answer is squarely up to you.