What is the purpose of life?
Written by A.D.H. Thomas
Brethren Of Christ Articles - Biblical Standpoints
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Why are we here?
What is the purpose of life? Why are we here and where are we heading?
These are questions which all must have asked or mused upon at some time in their life, whether out of a desire to make some sense of their existence or perhaps out of a state of despair at their situation.
The evolutionist may claim that the fitness of the earth for sustaining life in all its wonderful varieties is the result of chance, and the future is therefore as uncertain and void of purpose as the past. This, if it were true, is a depressing state of affairs indeed. Devoid of a certain hope for the future it is not surprising that those who take such a view might seek solace in a life of pure indulgence and gratification of their desires, on the basis of “let us eat and drink and be merry for tomorrow we die.” But is the world as we behold it finality? Are generations of men, rebellious against God, and destroyers of the earth, to occupy it successively through an endless series of ages? Is the earth always to be cursed, and sin and death reign victorious? Will man be permitted to destroy himself and all life upon this earth? Who can answer these enquiries?
Whilst the heavens declare the almighty power and wisdom of their Creator, they cannot tell us what the destiny of the earth is and man upon it. If we question the mountains and hills, the plains and rivers, the seas and oceans of the earth and demand to know why and for what end they were created, no answer is forthcoming. And if we ask the most intelligent form of life upon this earth, man, “what is the purpose of life; what is the destiny of the human race; why are you mortal; he can no more answer these questions than a new born child, without a revelation from Him who has created all things, and who knows from the beginning that what He intends shall come to pass. Thankfully we have such a revelation. Its testimony bears witness to its claim that it was written by men under Divine inspiration - “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit,” 2 Peter 1:21. To this unique revelation, we call the Holy Bible; all must come if they would know the answer to the questions posed as the subject of our talk. There we are told that for God’s pleasure all things were created: Revelation 4:11; that His own existence is the guarantee that the earth will be filled with His glory: Numbers 14:21, and that those who serve Him and are obedient unto Him will inherit the earth for ever, Psalm 37: 9, 29. And central to that plan is the Lord Jesus Christ; of whom it is written “the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.” Isaiah 53:10.
It is through him that God’s plan to fill the earth with his glory will be realized, when a new creation of sons and daughters of God shall be born, of which he is the firstborn, shall inherit the earth for an everlasting possession. But how and when will God’s glory fill the earth? The prophet Daniel was blessed with seeing, in dramatic symbolism, how and when this would come to pass. A mighty image comprised of various metallic parts was smitten to pieces by a stone, which then grew to a great mountain, which filled the whole earth. It was revealed to him that this represented the kingdoms of men in their last days, which were to be destroyed by a stone cut out of a mountain without hands, and in their place was to be set up a kingdom which should stand for ever, Daniel 2:35, 44. The stone, we learn from other parts of the Divine testimony, represented none other than he through whom God’s pleasure will prosper, the Lord Jesus Christ. In the last book of the Bible we are told that it is during the sounding of the seventh and last trumpet, that these events happen. “And the seventh angel sounded…and the kingdoms of this world became the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ: and he shall reign for ever and ever,” Revelation 11:15. Thus the establishment of God’s kingdom, which will be the ancient kingdom of Israel restored under a perfect constitution and with immortal rulers, is what God has determined from the beginning, as the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. At that time the earth will truly be filled with his glory, for His pleasure, and to His honour. This is the purpose for which God has formed the earth and created life upon it.