Saw a commercial on television this morning. The narrator stated that the first person to live to be 150 years old has already been born. A bold statement. Not sure it will pan out, but given the nature of scientific and medical advances, who knows? One thing I do know, however, and that is, as Scripture says, "It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment."
Genesis 5 gives the genealogy of Adam to Noah, telling how long different individuals lived. According to the account Methusaleh lived 969 years. But as you read the account every man's story ends in the same way: "and he died." Like the tolling of a bell those words rang again and again - except for one man. The writer records, "All the days of Enoch were 365 years. Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him." The story is told how a little girl, having heard those words in Sunday School, said, "God told Enoch, 'Enoch, it's a lot closer to my house than yours. Why don't you just come home with me?'"
One day Jesus will come just as he went away. Peter tells us that the world will mock that promise, but it will surely come true. Paul tells us that our Lord will come with the sound of a trumpet and the voice of the archangel and the dead in Christ will rise. Afterward, those believers who are living at that time will be changed and snatched up into the air to be with the Lord forever. Before that time comes, though, the world will grow worse and worse. If you think things are bad now, just wait.
Jesus tells us to pray, "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Do you long for that kingdom and that time when God's will is truly done on earth? Or does life in this world have such a hold on you that the coming of our Lord and the fullness of his kingdom takes a back seat to all your plans and your desire to live as long as possible here?
The crown of righteousness belongs to "all who have loved his appearing." Sadly, too many professing followers of Jesus don't love his appearing but hope to live as long as possible in this world - maybe even 150 years. I don't know about you, but frankly, I have no desire to live in this world for 150 years. My hopes and dreams lie far beyond.
Do yours?
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