“For the fate of humans and the fate of animals is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. All go to one place; all are from the dust, and all turn to dust again. Who knows whether the human spirit goes upward and the spirit of animals goes downward to the earth?” (Eccl 3:19-21).
Introduction
This is the first on a series of articles on the True Christian Hope, which we hope will show how such a simple topic illuminates many of the vital aspects of our faith.
From promises to prophecies, the Bible is eternally hopeful. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jer 29:11). The Bible gives incredibly detailed descriptions about eternal life beginning with the promises to Abraham and David, to the hopeful visions of Isaiah. It’s a free gift from God and centered on the “kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 8:12).
These articles are the result of a unique process. They were not written by one person, but instead, collectively, by one ecclesia. It was determined to write a book to further share our great Bible Hope. It helped promote personal Bible study among the members for each of these studies. This series, and the short book on which it was based, is not intended to provide exhaustive answers to all questions about eternal life in the Bible. Nor does it aim to give rebuttal to the differing opinions about the Bible. You may be surprised how Scripture provides a hope that is different from that which most Christians believe. Our desire is that these words will prompt readers to do additional Bible study about God’s incredible promises. Jesus Christ is coming back to earth as King to set up his long-awaited Kingdom. The good news is that you are invited to participate with other faithful believers and inherit eternal life.
“For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Rom 15:4).
Hope makes all the difference.
A wise teacher once asked a promising student a simple question: “What are your plans for life?” The student answered that he planned to work hard in high school to get good grades in order to get into one of the better universities. The teacher commended her student for planning ahead and then said, “And then what.” He told her what he knew about college and how he hoped to earn a four year degree in business in order to get a good job. The teacher gave a positive nod and again said, “And then what.” The student thought for a moment and then said that he would like to get a job in management in the advertising field so he could earn a good living. The teacher predictably followed up again, “And then what.” He was ready this time and said that he would like to get married and have a family, buy a house and get promoted at work. “And then what”, she said. The student now gave thought to areas beyond where he was comfortable. He gradually said that he would like to earn enough money to retire early, travel with his wife and enjoy hobbies like golf. “And then what” came the expected response. The young man said that he would like to age gracefully and in good health, spend plenty of time with his grand children and dabble with inventions in his final days. His teacher pushed the envelope again and asked, “And then what.” The student had no more plans beyond these and so he replied that after all of these things were done, he supposed he would just die. That’s when the wise teacher played her final card by asking, “And then what!”
Do you relate better to the teacher or the student in this story? Does it really matter what you believe? Why should anyone spend time hoping for the future when life today is so good for so many? Knowing that so many religions teach opposite eternal rewards, why invest anything into something so uncertain? Who knows what THE Bible hope is anyway?
Why hope in any afterlife?
About 3,000 years ago, the wisest and richest man in the world was king of Israel. He built an empire with a strong military and key foreign alliances. He wrote 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs. He was known for having a kingdom of peace, and he built the greatest temple ever to the Lord God of Israel. The king became great and his wisdom and fame spread to peoples far away. Kings and queens traveled vast distances to see if the amazing news they had heard about him could be true. The king enjoyed life and personally had 1,000 wives and concubines to keep him happy. Whatever he wanted he got, and he didn’t hold back from any pleasure. He also worked hard and built incredible buildings and fortified cities. He designed innovative water systems and planted all kinds of fruit trees and gardens. Indeed, life was very good for the king we know as Solomon.
Yet despite having everything imaginable, Solomon grew old and unsatisfied. He wrote in his latter days: “Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them; I kept my heart from no pleasure…Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had spent in doing it, and again, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun” (Eccl 2:10-11). Solomon recorded his final thoughts and advice for his subjects in Ecclesiastes. That’s where he reveals how his entire outlook on life, and eternal life, changed when he grew old.
You may not be old in the chronological sense, but everyone can relate to Solomon and learn from his wisdom and unique experiences. He probably didn’t have the same kinds of problems that you have, but he did have one big problem we all have in common. Solomon was mortal and knew he would die. Here are some of the wise lessons he left to his people regarding his mortality:
“But whoever is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. The living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing….even the memory of them is lost” (Eccl 9:4-5).
“Just as you do not know how the breath comes to the bones in the mother’s womb, so you do not know the work of God, who makes everything” (Eccl 11:5).
“Follow the inclination of your heart and the desire of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment” (Eccl 11:9).
“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God, and keep His commandments; for that is the whole duty of everyone. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Eccl 12:13-14).
What if I don’t believe in God?
It is said that there are no atheists in foxholes. This was a common saying in WWII when soldiers would turn to God when desperate for help. When their life was on the line, even an atheist would turn to God because they would be desperate and have nothing to lose. Of course, the assumption is that once these same soldiers were safe and out of the foxhole, they would no longer need to believe in a Creator. In fact, it’s a sad commentary on our American society that there is a Freedom from Religion Foundation that has erected a monument to “Atheists in Foxholes” because of its opposition to the statement of “no atheists in foxholes!”
While millions of people claim to not know any God, He certainly knows you. The Creator of the universe knew you before you were even born (Jer 1:5). He knows each of us inside and out and He helped piece you together in your mother’s womb (Psa 139:13-15). Every hair on your head is numbered and known to God (Matt 10:30). God called you to follow Him, His Son, and His plan of salvation. God doesn’t change His mind and He has a purpose for you. God is actually giving you the greatest hope that anyone has ever received (Eph 4:4). You were called to inherit a blessing, in fact, the most wonderful gift ever given (1 Pet 3:9). God has a plan for the Earth to be filled with Godly people who want to be with Him. Our Heavenly Father has an incredible future for you, “plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope” (Jer 29:11).
There is a story about a science class that had a discussion about God’s existence. The teacher presented the following logic: “Has anyone in this class heard God speak?” Nobody answered. “Has anyone in this class touched God?” Again, nobody spoke. “Has anyone in this class seen God?” When nobody spoke for the third time, he simply stated, “Then there must be no God.” One young student thought for a second, and then asked for permission to reply. Curious to hear this bold student’s response, the teacher granted it, and the student stood up and asked the following questions of his classmates: “Has anyone in this class heard our teacher’s brain?” Silence. “Has anyone in this class touched our teacher’s brain?” Absolute silence. “Has anyone in this class seen our teacher’s brain?” When nobody in the class dared to speak, the student concluded, “Then, according to our teacher’s logic, it must be true that our teacher’s brain does not exist!”
We all need hope
Death is not a subject most people enjoy discussing. We make plans for the future in nearly every way possible, except when it comes to our own death. Do you have a will? Have you bought a gravesite plot or a tombstone? How about a casket? Have you even thought about any of these in the past five years? If you’re like most people the answer is probably no. And you don’t like to think about anything related to dying either, do you? Why would you, it’s a negative, scary, unknown thought for many people.
Don’t worry about me. Go ahead and enjoy I’ll stay here and be miserable.
Yet, this is the reason that every person on earth needs to have hope. Think about someone you know who acts like they have no hope. Are they happy or pessimistic? Are they content, or more like Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh? Is each new day vibrant for them, or unsatisfying? Do they enjoy life, or feel anger towards others who act hopeful. Are they thankful, or hurtful? Doesn’t it seem that people who live each day without hope act differently than others who have a Biblical hope? It certainly should be obvious because that’s what God intended. He gave us hope intertwined with faith to help us avoid despair and learn about His plan for mankind.
Like Solomon, we will all die and then what? Without hope life is not worth living. Hope is one important difference between people and animals. Solomon taught that God gave mankind an eternal perspective unlike all animals (Eccl 3:11). We are able to think rationally, using evidence to draw conclusions that makes eternal hope realistic. Only blind confidence would steer someone to think that their pet could think the same. Unlike animals, we have hope and we have purpose. Without hope, how can we have meaningful purpose? Without hope, life is meaningless. Without hope, life is meaningless, and less. We shall find that true Biblical hope leads us back to the garden in Eden. Back to true earthly bliss. Back to our future.
The Bible says:
- God called you to hope. (Psa 119:49; Eph 4:4)
- Hope works with faith for a reward. (Heb 3:6; Heb 11:1)
- You need hope for life. (Psa 71:14; 2Tim 1:9; 1Pet 1:3)
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One