From the Bible, we understand that man will live forever. Death is not the end of life; it is only a transition. The Apostle Paul said, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable" (1 Corinthians 15:19). In other words, if there were no resurrection and no life beyond this world, then living a life of sacrifice and devotion to God would be futile. We would be foolish to deny ourselves the pleasures of the world, if there would be no future life to look forward to. But thank God that is not the case. There is indeed a resurrection of the dead, and a day is coming when everyone who has lived will be raised to life.
The reality of eternity should shape our perspective on life. The world, as we know it, will not last forever. In 2 Peter 3:10, the Bible reveals that "the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up". This world, including the heavens, will be destroyed by fire, and all its works will be consumed. The Bible clearly paints a picture of the future of this world, and it's not a pretty one.
The heavens refer to different levels of the sky: the first heaven is the atmosphere, the second is the expanse of stars and galaxies, and the third is God's dwelling place. All of these will pass away, and the Earth will be burned up. However, man is a spirit, and our spirits will live on forever. When the Earth is destroyed, those who belong to God will already be with Him in Heaven.
As the Apostle Peter warned, "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness," (2 Peter 3:11). Knowing that this world has no future and eternity awaits, how should we live? What should we prioritize? If we believe in resurrection and eternal life, we should focus on what matters for eternity. We must live consecrated lives, committed to holiness and the spread of the Gospel. The things of this world—wealth, fame, and possessions—are temporary and have no lasting value.
Satan will always try to subtly lead us astray, shifting our attention to the temporary things of this world, but we must remain vigilant and stay committed to the Gospel. Jesus said in Luke 19:13, "...Occupy till I come". Our mission is to continue His work, spreading salvation until His return. It is God's mercy that has brought us into this life of soul- winning. We didn't choose it; He chose us. From today onwards, live with eternity in mind, serve God with all your heart, and invest in spiritual things.