Machines and Eternity

Being a life long fan of science fiction, I have come across some themes over and over. One is the idea that someday humanity will either be able to load an individual's consciousness and memories into a robot that will last for millennia rather than mere decades. The other is that we will find a way to load the consciousness and memories of humans into a large computing machine where we will be able to live virtually forever. But today I was reminded again of just how wrong that would be. You see, right as we were trying to make some new offering envelopes on our duplicator, it decided to break. Now, that is always frustrating, but it was also a reminder that machines, no matter how well they are made, are still man-made and hence susceptible to breaking down. In that they reflect this universe, which is going to inevitably run down and end up in a state where nothing can or will work. Fortunately, God does not offer us an eternity in a machine - He offers us eternity with Himself. In fact, if I read Revelation correctly, He will make a new universe that will not be subject to running down and we will live in a new body that will not wear out - forever! Much better than a machine.

Pastor Ken