arly 1997 saw the end of a special exhibition on pre-Christian Chinese civilization in London's British Museum. The most spectacular element was the concept of the afterlife and to what extent the ancient Chinese went in order to ensure their immortality. Like the Egyptians before them, they were very meticulous in their quest for everlasting life.

Said The Times (London), which sponsored the museum exhibition, "If the Chinese had not believed so passionately in the spirit world and the afterlife, they would never have ensured that their tombs carried such resplendent cargoes. The wealth of refined bronzes, jades and ceramics installed there testifies to the importance of their faith in life after death" (September 10, 1996).

The Times article went on to say: "Avoiding death was all important. Another way this might be achieved was by ensuring that the body was transformed into a light jade-like substance, by following special diets and exercise regimes."

What happens after death?

Throughout the ages relatively few people have wanted to die. Like the ancients, some have gone to great lengths to hold on to life. Yet none are able to forestall the divine decree recorded in the creation epic: "For dust you are, and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19).

On the other hand, the Creator of the human race has also decreed a way to attain everlasting life: a fail-safe formula for attaining eternal existence, backed up by the highest source of authority in the world--God's Word. The beauty of it is that this opportunity is available as a gift to all, not just a select few.

God's Word records that the patriarch Job posed a very poignant question about life and death: "If a man dies, shall he live again?" His answer was unequivocal. "All the days of my hard service I will wait, till my change comes" (Job 14:14).

This patriarch's firm belief was based on God's promise of a time when a miraculous change would occur. He looked forward to a transformation to immortality--not just a permanent perpetuation of his physical body.

The Hebrew prophet Daniel recorded another brief glimpse into the next world: "And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness (will shine) like the stars forever and ever" (Daniel 12:2-3).

Preparations for immortality

The apostle Paul tells us how immortality will come about. He wrote of when a remarkable change takes place, "when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality" (1Corinthians 15:54).

Paul makes this point crystal clear. "So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body" (verses 42).

Yet death of the physical body is inevitable and is described as a temporary sleep--a state of total unconsciousness (Ecclesiastes 9:5; 1Thessalonians 4:13). As King David exclaimed: "For in death there is no remembrance of You; in the grave who will give You thanks?" (Psalm 6:5).

The apostle Paul continues to explain: "But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (have died). For since by man came death, by Man (Christ) also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive" (1Corinthians 15:20-22).

So in order to be resurrected, one has to die first. The only way a person can inherit eternal life is by means of a resurrection. The Bible shows that no other means of attaining immortality is available.

Candidates for immortality

But who can be a candidate for eternal life? What must a person do to live forever? Anyone who accepts Jesus Christ's offer of eternal life as a gift (Romans 6:23; Acts 2:37-38; Romans 8:9-11) and then in deep appreciation strives with God's help to live by the code of conduct as expounded by Jesus Christ. Christ Himself told the rich young ruler to keep the Ten Commandments (Matthew 19:17-19). The Commandments are the very foundation of God's law of love.

Just accepting Christ in name only won't do. "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?" asked Jesus (Luke 6:46). He also said: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).

In ancient Egypt and China, the stress was on sumptuously clothing the physical in order to preserve the human body. Our quest for immortality can only be fulfilled if we walk as Jesus walked (1John 2:6), and are willing to follow in His footsteps (1Peter 2:21).

God alone provides us with the only true way to eternal life, which is found in His Word, the Bible.

Recommended reading

Many of the points we could only touch on in this article are covered in detail in What Happens After Death? This booklet unlocks the mystery of death while exposing the fact that a number of popular ideas are not found in the Bible. This booklet contains essential knowledge no one can really afford to be without.

 Free Literature

© 2000-2008 by United Church of God, an International Association  All rights reserved.