[0:13]Is this life all there is?
[0:35]Imagine yourself looking at photos of your grandparents or great-grandparents. You see some photos of them as children. One of grandpa, when his dad took him to the beach and he learned to swim. One of grandma holding up her first pie she ever baked. Then you see pictures of their wedding. They look so young and so happy. And as the photos get recent, your grandparents are starting to look older. Their photos of those with their children, turn into photos with grandchildren or even great-grandchildren. And they start looking much older. Now you look at their pictures when they used to be together, and now you see pictures of one of them alone. And now all we have is left with memories. Sadly, many of us have videos and photos of ones that we no longer have with us. Maybe grandparents, parents, or children. They may have accomplished much in life, or their lives may have been cut short because of an accident or a cruel illness. Do you ever wonder how much more he or she could have accomplished, had it not been for the harsh reality of sickness, old age, and death? I have, and I imagine that you have too. For many, life has been difficult. Even those that have attained wealth, uh fame, have often been disappointed and they wonder, what is the meaning of life? Is this life all there is? The sad reality is that life is short and very often very difficult. And all too soon, we are gone. God spoke of this reality. In his word, he expresses the same sentiment. Please turn with me to Psalm 103, and we'll read verses 15 and 16. That's Psalm 103 15 and 16. And it reads: As for mortal man, his days are like those of grass. He blooms like a blossom off the field. But when a wind blows, it is no more, as though it was never there. Yes, the Bible compares our lifespan to a blossom in the field. Here today, gone tomorrow, as though it was never there. Do these words in the Bible express the creator's original intent for humans? Is this life really all there is? Well, we'll learn the answer to that question, as we gain understanding on three Bible truths. Let me tell you these three Bible truths. Bible truth number one, we were created to live forever. Bible truth number two. What really happens to someone when they die? Where do they go? Bible truth number three. God promises that the dead will be resurrected or raised up again. Let's start with the first Bible truth. We were not created to die. We were created to live forever. Let's look in the Bible at the beautiful future that God put before the first man, Adam and his wife, Eve. And see if the idea of dying is included in it at all. Let's look this up together. Is in Genesis chapter 1, and verse 28. Genesis chapter 1, verse 28. It says, further, God blessed them. And God said to them, be fruitful and become many. Fill the Earth and subdue it, and have in subjection the fish of the sea, and the flying creatures of the heavens, and every living creature that is moving on the earth. Let's take a look at these first words in that verse. It says, God blessed them. Adam and Eve were created perfect and put under a blessing, not under curse, not under condemnation of death. Do you see the idea of death in that scripture? No, it's not there. But what we do see in this scripture is God's assignment to Adam and Eve. He told them, be fruitful and become many, fill the Earth.
[6:01]Jehovah's original purpose for mankind was to live forever. On a paradise Earth. So where did death come into the picture? Well, let's look at the first mention of death in the Bible. Let's turn to Genesis chapter 2, and we'll read verses 15 through 17. Genesis chapter 2, verses 15 through 17. Jehovah God took the man and settled him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and to take care of it. Jehovah God also gave this command to the man, for every tree in the of the garden, you may eat to satisfaction. But as for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad, you must not eat from it. And notice, for in the day you eat from it, you will certainly die. Do you see how God mentioned death only as punishment for disobedience? Now that command would have made no sense if Adam was meant to grow old and die anyway. If they had remained obedient, Adam and Eve would have never died. Sadly, Adam and Eve chose to disobey God. Their punishment for their disobedience is clearly explained in Genesis chapter 3. Let's turn there. Genesis chapter 3, and we'll read verse 17 and then verse 19. Genesis 3, 17, says: And to Adam, he said, because you listened to your wife's voice and ate from the tree concerning which I gave you this command. You must not eat from it. Cursed is the ground on your account.
[8:05]In pain, you will eat its produce all the days of your life. Now we understand why life is so difficult. Verse 19. In the sweat of your face, you will eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken, for dust you are, and to dust you will return.
[8:27]God originally made Adam from the dust of the ground. And because he disobeyed, he returned to the dust. But many people ask, why do all of Adam's children have to die also? Well, remember, that God's original purpose for Adam and Eve was to have perfect children and fill the Earth. After Adam and Eve sin, they could no longer produce perfect children. Imperfection was like a genetic defect that passed on to all of their children, so we all sin and die. But it is heartwarming to know this first Bible truth. God did not create us to die. He created us to live forever. So this brings us to Bible truth number two. What actually happens to someone when they die? Where do they go? Well, since we are all dying, it is important to know the answer to this question. And the Bible answers this question and it helps us to eliminate the fear of death. What do people say happens to us when we die? Well, some say that the physical body dies and there's a part of the body that separates itself and goes on to live forever. They call it the immortal soul. Many say that the soul then travels, maybe to Purgatory, then to heaven or hell. Is that what the Bible teaches? The December 1st, 1983 Watchtower quotes a New Testament Professor Jean Worley. And this is what it says. Protestant and Roman Catholic scholars now agree in principle that the idea of the immortal soul is not biblical. But it is a hellenistic idea that crept into Christian thought by mistake. So, does the Bible teach that humans have a immortal soul? Let's see what the Bible says or teaches about what happens to us when we die. Let's turn to Ecclesiastes chapter 9. Ecclesiastes chapter 9, and we'll read verse 5 and then verse 10. Ecclesiastes 9:5 says: For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing at all. Nor do they have any more reward, because all memory of them is forgotten. Did you notice? Dead know nothing at all? And in verse 10, we read, whatever your hand finds to do, do with all your might. For there is no work, nor planning, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave where you are going. So according to the Bible, where do we go when we die? Well, it says that we go to the grave. But what is the grave? Well, the new world translation, there's an asterisk that takes you to the glossary. And if you go there, it describes what the grave is. It says in part that when the word grave is capitalized as it is here, it means the common grave of mankind. It is described in the Bible as a symbolic place, uh, a condition wherein all activity and consciousness cease. So what is the condition of those in the grave? Well, it says that their activity, their consciousness has ceased. And we can gain the same understanding when we look back to the words in Ecclesiastes 9:5. As it speaks of those in the grave, it says, that dead know nothing at all. Do you remember what God said to Adam? From dust you are, and to dust you will return. God originally made Adam from the dust of the ground. And the Bible is scientifically correct in saying that humans are made of dust. The September 1st, 1994 Watch Tower makes this comment. All the elements of which the human body is composed are to be found in the dust from the ground. So when Adam disobeyed God, and he received the punishment of death, where did God say that he would go? He told Adam, from dust or to dust you will return. Adam returned to the dust and completely ceased to exist. Now, was it only Adam that returns to the dust, or do all people that die return to the dust? When Ecclesiastes chapter 3 and verse 20, we can get a clear answer to that. Ecclesiastes chapter 3 and verse 20. Now, it is talking about both animals and humans. And this is what it says. All are going to the same place. They all come from the dust, and they all are returning. To where? Purgatory, heaven, hell? No, it says, they are all returning to the dust. It's been illustrated that our life is like a flame of a candle. Then when the flame is put up, put out, it doesn't go anywhere. It is simply gone. So Bible truth number two, what happens to someone when they die? Well, the Bible teaches that they're not suffering anywhere, as some religions teach. It says that all those who die completely cease to exist. Question. Does the Bible mean to to tell us that there is no hope for those that have died?
[15:11]Absolutely not. Remember, God wants us to live, not to die. And this brings us to Bible truth number three. God promises that the dead will be resurrected or been or will be brought back to life. In the Bible, the word translated as resurrection comes from the Greek word anastasis, which means raising up or standing up again. The encyclopedia inside on the scriptures makes this comment. The resurrection of the dead is essential to mankind's happiness and the undoing of all the harm, suffering and oppression that have come upon human race. So how grateful are we and should be about this beautiful hope that God has given us? The Bible says that some people will be resurrected in life in heaven to rule with Christ as kings. Revelation 14 verses 1 and 3 says that they will be 144,000 who will be resurrected from the Earth to rule with Jesus in heaven. The Bible calls this the first resurrection. And after the first resurrection, there's another resurrection that will happen right here on Earth, and it will include billions of people. Please follow along with me as we read in the book of Acts chapter 24 verse 15 about that resurrection. That's Acts chapter 24 and verse 15. By divine inspiration, the Apostle Paul wrote, And I have hope towards God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. Yes, Paul had a firm hope in the resurrection. Now regarding this scripture, many have wondered, who are the righteous and the unrighteous that Paul spoke of? In the August 1st, uh, 2015 Watch Tower, it answers that question. And it explains this. Who will be included in the group that Paul referred to as the righteous? Consider an example. The faithful man Daniel was told towards the end of his life, you will rest, but you will stand up for your lot at the end of the days. Daniel 12:13. Where will Daniel wake from the sleep of death? Well, the Watchtower quotes the scripture of Psalm 37:29. where it says, the righteous will possess the Earth, and they will live forever on it. It also quotes Jesus words in Matthew uh 5:5. Happy are the mild-tempered, since they will inherit the Earth. Daniel and other faithful men and women will be raised to live on the Earth once again. Now what about the unrighteous? It explains this. Who will be included in the group that Paul called the unrighteous? They are billions of humans who have lived and died. Many without ever having the opportunity to understand and apply Bible truth. After the resurrection, they will be able to come to know and appreciate Jehovah and Jesus. All those who choose to serve God will have the prospect of living as long as Jehovah himself lives forever. How certain can we be that this hope of the resurrection is a Bible truth? Well, God provided a guarantee when he resurrected Jesus. Let's read this together. In First Corinthians chapter 15, First Corinthians chapter 15, started starting in verse 20. We'll read verses 20 to 22. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep in death. For since death came through a man, Adam, resurrection of the dead also comes through a man, Jesus. For just as Adam, all are dying, so also in the Christ, all will be made alive. It is reassuring to know that Christ has been raised from the dead and that in Christ, all will be made alive. If you feel unsure about this Bible truth, please take the time to look and see how is it that Jesus' disciples were certain that Jesus was resurrected. In First Corinthians chapter 15, now verses 3 through 5, we find their living testimony of Jesus resurrection. Verse 3 says that Christ died. Verse 4 says that he was buried. But then it also adds, he was raised up on the third day. Verse 5 says that he appeared to Cephas, to James, then to all the Apostles. And he appeared to more than 500 brothers at one time. So let's recap a little. It says that Jesus died, that he was buried, and he was raised up on the third day. Now from what we have learned already, where was Jesus between the time of his death and his resurrection on the third day? Well, what happens when someone dies according to the Bible? They cease to exist. And that is what happened to Jesus until God brought him back to life. God resurrected him. And there were more than 500 eyewitnesses of Jesus resurrection. The Bible in Matthew 18:16 says that on the testimony of two or three witnesses, every matter may be established. It is amazing that God didn't give us just two or three witnesses. He gave us more than 500 witnesses, more than 500 reasons to believe that Jesus had, in fact, been resurrected. The August 1st uh 2012 Watch Tower. It explains another reason why Paul knew that Jesus resurrection was true. It says, Paul knew that it was true because of the hundreds of eyewitnesses accounts of people who were still living at that time. In fact, those eyewitnesses were willing to die rather than deny what they have seen. Wow. If you would like to strengthen your confidence that God can raise the dead, please read the other accounts in the Bible of resurrection. How does the resurrection hope help us? Because of the resurrection hope, we can be certain that this life is not all there is. Our powerful creator will remember and recreate every detail about a person, even someone who has long been dead. In Matthew chapter 10 verse 30, Jehovah reminds us of how well he knows us. He tells us, even the hairs of your head are numbered. Jehovah wants us to know now that the future hope of the resurrection is true. And he wants us to help us now because it helps us with coping with death. It makes it less painful. And even helps the young ones to cope. Young ones, do you remember in the Caleb and Sophia video about Sophia and how she was so afraid that her friend, sister Elsa was going to die? Do you remember what helped Sophia? Yes, it was the hope of the resurrection. First Corinthians 15:55 shows that the resurrection hope can help us deal with what is called the sting of death. This is true. And it is God's promise. Therefore, we can all confidently look beyond our brief lives to the prospect of everlasting life. What must we do to enjoy everlasting life? First, regardless of how difficult life may be, keep your eyes fixed on the prize of everlasting life. Because very soon, Jehovah is going to step in and bring an end to all the suffering. When he does, millions will survive. We may be able to escape ever dying, and then the earthly resurrection of the dead will begin. Second, we must come to know Jehovah God, his personality, his beautiful qualities and his promises. Third, unlike Adam, we need to obey their instructions and understand how Bible principles should guide our daily lives.
[26:14]If we do these things, we will have the hope of gaining everlasting life, whether we survive through, when God brings an end to this present wicked system of things, or by being resurrected under God's kingdom. This hope can free us from the frustration of an aimless life. We can live with meaning and purpose, eagerly awaiting for the promise and the fulfillment of that promise of God. When we started our conversation, I asked you to imagine yourself looking at photos of your grandparents and remembering moments of in their lives. Please use that imagination once more. You're looking at photos of the day they were resurrected. They were young, healthy, and very happy. But these photos are from long ago, many thousands of years ago. And we laugh as we go through these photos because grandpa is sitting right next to us, remembering funny details about the day those photos were taken. But wait. What is that wonderful smell? One of grandma's delicious pies is baking in the oven. She has really perfected that recipe. And that that's not the only thing that has been perfected. God's original purpose for mankind and for this earth has been accomplished. The earth is filled with perfect, happy, healthy humans who love and serve Jehovah. We will never again wonder how much more a loved one could have achieved. Because this life in this soon to be reality, there is no more sickness, old age or death.
