Let's imagine for a moment what will happen to those who make it, at the end of their physical lives, when they awaken as spirit beings. There they will be, alive, never again subject to injury, illness, or death. What a glorious day!

But then what? What will they be doing, day after day, year after year, century after century, for endless billions and billions of years, forever?

The answer to that question may be found throughout The Bible, where humans are constantly referred to as God's children. Jesus Christ referred to Christians as His brothers and sisters (e.g. Matthew 12:50). The Father is referred to as The Father (e.g. Matthew 6:9) for a very profound reason:

"So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." (Genesis 1:27 RSV).

"See what love The Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are God's children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." (1 John 3:1-2 RSV)

"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is The Spirit Himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him." (Romans 8:15-17 RSV)

Children, after a time of learning and growing, eventually become adults, just like their parents, although always and forever "out ranked" by them. God does not do things in vain. Everything has a purpose. That infinite universe out there has a purpose. We have a purpose. Consider:

"For the creation [i.e. the universe, see The Seven Days Of Creation] waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons [i.e. the transformed children, male and female, who will be transformed to spirit beings] of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of Him who subjected it in hope [i.e. God halted its development until we are ready]; because the creation itself will be set free [i.e. planets transformed from undeveloped, dry, lifeless hulks to living, breathing ecosystems] from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God." (Romans 8:19-21 RSV)

It's estimated that there are far over 200,000,000,000 (200 billion) stars in our galaxy, the "Milky Way," alone (the telescope photograph above is of just one galaxy which shows billions of stars as a distant "mist" in space). Astronomers believe that there are at least that many galaxies, with perhaps an average size equal to our galaxy, in the universe. 200 billion times 200 billion equals an incomprehensible number of stars.

With the aid of modern technology, astronomers are now obtaining the proof of what many have believed for a long time - that other stars have planets just as our star (the "sun") does. After all, why shouldn't they? There are certainly a vast number of planets, many just like earth, out there - immensely more inhabitable planets than the total number of people that have ever lived through all the ages.

Eternal life will not be spent in useless idleness. There is going to be much to do for those who repent and obey God.

Fact Finder: Is the purpose of all angels to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Hebrews 1:14

This Week's Bible Quiz

1. Who was the owner of the tomb in which Jesus was buried?

2. Who is the "second Adam"?

3. Who appeared with Jesus in The Transfiguration?

4. Which of the apostles (temporarily) disowned Jesus during the night that He was arrested?

5. Which two brothers of Jesus Christ wrote books of The Bible?

6. Which Old Testament prophet described the Messiah's future crucifixion?

7. Who was the first human to see Christ after His resurrection?

8. What was Judas Iscariot paid for betraying the Son of God?

9. On which of the Biblical Holy Days was Christ crucified?

10. Will Jesus Christ return in the same way that He ascended into the heavens?

For the answers to this April 18 2000 quiz, see the Bible Quiz Answers Page