LONGEVITY NOT BY CHANCE

LONGEVITY  NOT  BY  CHANCE 

In the Bible, in the book of Genesis, we find a remarkable record of longevity! In chapter 5:1-32, we read: [5:5]" And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died." [5:8]"And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years: and he died." [5:11]" And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years: and he died." [5:14]" And all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years: and he died." [5:17] "And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died." [5:20]"And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died." [5:27]"And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died." [5:31]"And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years: and he died." This is so remarkable that some people think it was not true or that years were counted in some other way and so on goes the mind of a skeptic. The fact is that this book was written several hundred years latter by a very educated man named: Moses, who had been educated as royal family in the land of Egypt, during the period of the dynasties and accurate record is available till this day. Now that, they dare not deny it! In fact even today, some peoples live well over 100 years! That is becoming rare do to many social factors we shall evaluate below.

The important question is: why did they live so long? Did they have better medical technology?   Did they have access to the tree of life, or to some longevity magical formula?  No. There is not the slightest indication of that. Again we read in Genises 3:22-24  "3:22   And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: 

  3:23   Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden,…  3:24   So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life." Human kind no longer had access to the tree of life, they were not permitted to live forever in sin. Than what is the secret? They lived a life style that was closer to God's original plan for man. The Creator had prescribed man's diet and life style for the good of man.

As we have already considered, man's occupation was: to till the ground (Geneses 3:23) and His diet was: a purely vegetarian kind (Geneses 2:29). There was nothing artificial to pollute the earth or degenerate their bodies! No vice: smoking, alcohol drinking, drugs of any kind. No air pollutants, no water pollutants, no chemical fertilizers nor pesticides! But the Bible says: "Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions." Ecclesiastes 7:29.

Would you not like to live as long as they did? Many wealthy folks would give all their fortune in exchange for a few more years of life! Some wish to be sent to space and remain there until science discovers the secret of eternal life. Such however are battling  against the wind. Hoping for something good and even wonderful that only the Creator and Divine Redeemer - Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God can offer:  3:14   And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 

  3:15   That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 

  3:16   For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  

  3:17   For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 

  3:18   He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 

  3:19   And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." John 3:14-19.  Also: 19:16   And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 

  19:17   And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." Mathew 19:16-26.

"Adam and Eve broke God's law and fell, and the family of Adam must perish. God could not alter or abolish his law to save lost man, who had by his transgression fallen so low that God could not accept any effort he might make to keep that holy, just and good law. Jesus saw the degradation of man, and pitied his hopeless condition. All heaven knew that God could not change or abolish his law to save man. Jesus pitied the fallen race and offered to take the wrath of God upon himself that was due to man, and to suffer in his stead. Said an angel, "Did Jesus come to make void the law of God, and by his death abolish it? No, no. If God's law could have been changed; if it could have been abolished, God would not have given his Son to die a cruel, shameful death." But the fact of Jesus' giving his life for man shows the immutability of God's law. Jesus gave his life to save lost man from the curse or penalty he merited by transgression. He by humbling himself exalted man. He became the stepping-stone to elevate man, that he might lay hold of the virtue of his blood, keep God's law, and be brought back to eat of the fruit of the tree of life to which Adam and Eve forfeited all right. Said the Angel, "Poor, foolish man knows not what he is doing. He has lifted his puny arm against Omnipotence. He has defied God's law. The law of God is the golden link to unite finite man to the infinite God. It links earth to heaven, and man to God." The transgressor is about to meet the great Law-giver over his broken law. The wrath of God has long slumbered, but soon, with terrible justice and crushing weight will his wrath fall upon the transgressor. And that arm that has been stretched forth in rebellion against God's law, and would sever the golden link binding earth to heaven and man to God, will wither while the transgressor shall stand upon his feet. That tongue that has boastingly and proudly spoken against God's law, and has made the fourth commandment of none effect, will consume in his mouth while he stands upon his feet. Terrible will be the fate of those who transgress God's law, and lead others in the same heaven-daring path of rebellion." Spiritual Gifts by E. G. White, Vol. 2, page 274.2.

It is possible and we should do all in our knowledge and ability in order to preserve and improve health. No one can however realize life eternal except through Jesus Christ!

"God does not require His children to deny themselves to the injury of physical strength. He requires them to obey natural law, to preserve physical health. Nature's path is the road He marks out, and it is broad enough for any Christian. God has, with a lavish hand, provided us with rich and varied bounties for our sustenance and enjoyment. But in order for us to enjoy the natural appetite, which will preserve health and prolong life, He restricts the appetite. He says, Beware; restrain, deny, unnatural appetite. If we create a perverted appetite, we violate the laws of our being, and assume the responsibility of abusing our bodies and of bringing disease upon ourselves." Counsels on Diet and Foods, 72.3 

"The path of obedience to God is the path of virtue, of health and happiness. The plan of salvation, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, opens up a way whereby man may secure happiness and prolong his days upon the earth, as well as enjoy the favor of heaven, and secure that future life which measures with the life of God. . . . " Life Sketches of E. G. White, page 270.3

To your health!

E M Venture Health