Who wants to live forever?
The above heading in the I Newspaper concerned a Russian businessman and founder of the 2045 Project, Dmitry Itskov. He wants to upload his brain to a computer so he can achieve “cybernectic immortality”. He wrote “The ultimate goal of my plan is to transfer someone’s personality into a new body.” He has invested a lot of money from his lucrative web media business to fund and fully concentrate on Project 2045.
Why not go to the Bible for an answer to this intriguing topic?
Jesus said: “Do not labour for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, that the Son of Man will give to you…”(John 6:27).
How is this everlasting life to be manifested? In an immortal body!
The Apostle Paul wrote ” … the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.(Philippians 3:20-21).
After his resurrection Jesus displayed that immortal body to his doubting disciples.
He convinced a doubting disciple, Thomas, by showing him the marks of crucifixion in his hands and feet (John 20:27), He ate a meal with his followers (John 21:9 – 13). He was, and is, a real physical being energised, not by oxygen and blood, but by the Spirit of God.
There is a “spiritual” body (I Corinthians 15:44).
Paul writes: “For this perishable body must put on the imperishable and this mortal must put on immortality”(I Corinthians 15:53). This weak, frail, corruptible body will be changed into a powerful immortal body. When? At the return of Jesus Christ!
Paul writes:” For as in Adam all die so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ.”(1 Corinthians15:22 – 23). Please note it is those “in” Christ, those who “are” Christ’s who will have this spiritual body. This is not for everyone..
Even if Dmitry Itskov were able to achieve his goal, would he really like to come back to this troubled world? The believers in Christ will experience, in their bodies, everlasting life, and will see and participate in the exciting project of God. There will be “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, among those with whom he is pleased” (Luke 1:14 – see also Psalm 72, Isaiah 2:1- 5).
We believe that the time is near when Christ will rule God’s Kingdom on this earth.
(All quotes from ESV Bible)