The main draw of Christianity for many people is the fact that they will be raised from the dead and spend eternity with Christ. I have often struggled with the idea of living forever. Sometimes I wish that we were given the choice to not live forever. Don't get me wrong, I don't look forward to death. But when it happens why can't I just stay dead? I have heard people talk about how no one can understand how great heaven is or how wonderful it will be. I completely agree with them, but I still would like the choice to enjoy my life with Christ and then peacefully enter into non-existence. I really don't expect anyone to agree with me, but I will still pray for a temporal existence.
Another thing that I often question is why God will raise people for the Last Judgment. Why not just let those people be dead? Why raise people, just to punish them forever? The expression, "beating a dead horse" comes to mind here.
I know that God has a better understanding of all this than me so I will leave it in his capable hands.
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I understand what you mean, but for selfish reasons I hope that you live for an eternity. I am also thankful that you can appreciate this life as being lived with Christ.
Also, randomly- the "word verification" that I had to type for this comment is "devil"
I think that Melody's hope that she will get to share eternity with you would be infinitely affirmed by God. The best is yet to come!! What if you had married Melody, had one great day together at the wedding and then left her at the reception? The celebration and the marriage would be tragically incomplete. You drove off together and everyday since then has been an adventure in love and joy. You couldn't even imagine how much more you would love each other two and half years later, or how much richer and lovelier life is because you share it with each other. We have to give God some credit for the plans He has for us in eternity. Every moment there will be wonderful. We will never look at our watches there and wonder how much longer this will go on ;-).
By the way, it must be a tribute to the life you have chosen here on earth that you feel it is enough for you!
Here's to beating a dead horse, NT Wright's Resurrection of The Son of God is one of the best treatments on death that I have read (am still reading).
I think that the primary reason for God raising the dead is to affirm the value of humanity and make good on his promises to reward the righteous and punish the wicked. Death without resurrection levels the playing field in an incredibly devious and unjust and undignified way. The Jew that was gassed is not better off than the soldier who pushed the button who in turn is not better off than his dog. If all meet the same fate then:
1) life is meaningless and without consequence
2) humans are worthless
3) God is unjust and a liar.
These are just some thoughts from my own reflections on the same things. I hate death, and its silence. But I think that without resurrection we are truly to be pitied above all men.
I totally feel ya Kev. This life is weary and I kinda just feel like when I'm old, if I make it to being old, I will think "Wellp that's enough of that."
I've really liked reading bits from Randy Alcorn's book, "Heaven," the introduction to which sounds VERY MUCH like your post.
I share yours and Mark Twain's feeling that death is exciting, as Twain thought, "Yay I won't have to be a failure anymore, I will succeed in death!"
Basically this is good stuff to ACTUALLY wrestle with, as you are doing. All Christians should, but we're so damn focused on the present we don't even talk about death, let alone what comes next. Hopefully you and Andy will be part of the "new wineskin" that gets Christianity back to its old school roots!
I think that resurrection is a wonderful thing, but the thought of people I care about eternally suffering while I enjoy an eternity with God might put a damper on the celebration. Also grace negates the idea that justice will equal the playing field so to speak. A murderer and rapist who believes on his or her deathbed receives the same reward as the saint. Just a few thoughts.
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