1. Unmasking Illusions of our Culture
The Illusion of Earthly Immortality

2. The Illusion of Earthly Mortality
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’”

3. The Illusion of Earthly Mortality
But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:1-6

4. The Illusion of Earthly Mortality
God clearly told Adam and Eve they would die if they ate of the forbidden tree, but the Serpent deceived Eve into eating of it and sharing with Adam. Gen. 1:17.
Eve either chose to believe the Serpent’s lies, or she pushed what God had said out of her mind long enough to justify doing it.

5. The Illusion of Earthly Mortality
Consider how she justified it:
The tree was good for food.
It was a delight to the eyes.
It was to be desired to make one wise.
When Adam and Eve sinned, sin and death entered the world, and death has since passed to all of us, because we all sin. Romans 5:12.

6. The Illusion of Earthly Immortality
Our Earthly Lives are Brief!
Our lives are compared to a fog, that appears for a short time, then burns off. James 4:14.
Our lives are compared to plants and flowers that soon wither. Psalm 103:
Even if we live 80 years, our lives are “soon cut off” and we “fly away.” Psalm 90:10.

7. The Illusion of Earthly Immortality
Average Life Expectancy
Worldwide: Years
United States: 78.4 Years
Mexico: 76.5 Years
Monaco: 89.6 Years
Angola: Years
The average includes those who die at young ages as well as those who live to be very old.

8. The Illusion of Earthly Immortality
Consider Thomas Jefferson
and daughters, Mary, and Lucy Elizabeth II
Thomas,
83 Years
Mary, 25 Years
Lucy II, 2 Years
Thomas Jefferson’s life was long even by today’s standards, far exceeding two of his daughters!

9. The Illusion of Earthly Immortality
Expanding the Scale of Years Further Out
, 272 Years since Thomas Jefferson’s Birth
Thomas Jefferson, 83 Years
Mary, 25 Years
Lucy II, 2 Years

10. The Illusion of Earthly Immortality
Expanding the Scale of Years Even Further Out
523 Years Since Columbus Landed in 1492
Thomas 83 Years
Mary, 25 Years
Lucy II, 2 Years

11. The Illusion of Earthly Immortality
Expanding the Scale of Years One More Time
~2019 Years Since Christ Was Born
Thomas, 83
Mary, 25
Lucy II, 2
How long is anyone’s life compared to eternity? Not very long!

12. The Illusion of Earthly Immortality
Though our lives are very brief when compared to eternity, God still recognizes the differences between living a short and a long time.
Long life is described as a reward. Psalm 91:14-16
Wisdom is more associated with old age. Job 12:12.

13. The Illusion of Earthly Immortality
Advantages of Youth
It is a time when we can pursue things that interest/please us. Eccles. 11:9-10.
We don’t yet have the physical pains and problems of older people. Eccles. 12:1-8.
We don’t have the financial obligations that will come later. 1 Timothy 5:8.
We are not as likely to resist change as when we are older. Consider Barzillai in 2 Samuel 19:32-39.
We can recover from mistakes and re-establish a good name. Proverbs 22:1.

14. The Illusion of Earthly Immortality
Regardless of our age, the various experiences we may enjoy, relationships we build, and accomplishments we achieve, we have to remember our lives may end at any time. Eccles. 9: Proverbs 27:1.
Regardless of our age, we must stay focused on the goal of being resurrected to live with God eternally. Phil. 3:8-14.

15. The Illusion of Earthly Immortality
Things that may cause us to forget the brevity of life:
Money/Material Things.
Hard work, planning ahead, and gaining material things are not sinful, and are encouraged by God. Proverbs 10:4; 13:4. Consider that Job and Abraham were rich.
But desire for riches leads to temptations, traps, evil, and sorrow. I Timothy 6:8-10.
Trusting in riches may cause us to forget what is really important, and not trust in God. Riches won’t satisfy. Luke 12:13-21; 16:19-31; Proverbs 11:28; 5:10.

16. The Illusion of Earthly Immortality
Things that may cause us to forget the brevity of life:
Focus on our physical bodies and recreation.
Physical beauty/attractiveness is not sinful. Consider Job’s daughters and Sarai (Sarah). Job 42:15; Genesis 12: Peter 3:1-6. Consider Naomi’s instruction to Ruth. Ruth 3:3.
Physical attractiveness will not last. Proverbs 31:30.
The benefits of exercise are limited. 1 Timothy 4:8.

17. The Illusion of Earthly Immortality
Things that may cause us to forget the brevity of life:
Poor choices of companions and influences.
Bad company corrupts good morals. 1 Corinthians 15:33.
Bad influences may be those who have similar backgrounds as us. 2 Chronicles Kings 12.
Romantic feelings can lead us into accepting error and evil. 1 Kings 11
Also beware of influences from television, internet, movies, and social media!

18. The Illusion of Earthly Immortality
Things that may cause us to forget the brevity of life:
Emphasis on worldly wisdom, career advancement.
Acquiring knowledge is not sinful. 1 Kings 4:
But wisdom and knowledge can bring grief, sorrow, and weariness. Eccles. 1:16-18; 12:12.
Not many wise, important people of the world are called. 1 Corinthians 1:18-31.

19. The Illusion of Earthly Immortality
All of our decisions and goals must be guided, shaped, and/or molded by the realization that we will not live forever and our lives are short.
What will I choose for a career/job?
Who will I choose for my friends/mate?
What will be my priorities?
What kind of entertainment will I choose?
What clothes will I choose to wear?
What type of congregation will I be a part of?
How will I treat others?

20. The Illusion of Earthly Immortality
Concluding Thoughts
Many of you have been Christians long enough to develop spiritual maturity.
Establish high principles of godliness now!
Many people compromise with the world, thinking they have time to correct things later.
In 5 to 10 years from now, many of you will be married, and some of you will be parents.
The decisions you are making now will have a large impact on the future faithfulness of you and your descendants.

21. The Illusion of Earthly Immortality
Concluding Thoughts
We have an appointment with death, after which we will be judged according to all of our works. Hebrews 9: Eccles. 11:9.
Serve God during your younger years. Don’t wait until you are older. Eccles. 12.
Remember Man’s All (whole purpose): Fear God and keep His commandments.