When God made Adam he was not immortal. At least this is what Paul tells us in 1Cor.15:48,49. He says, “48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.”
And Jesus tells us in John3:1-8 that men are only flesh until they are born again by the Spirit of God. He said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”
And we see this again in Gen.2:7 where we are told “the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” And again in Gen.3:19 God makes plain for us what a soul is, and where the soul goes after death, saying, “…for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”
This helps us understand what the “bosom of Abraham” was that Jesus referred to in His parable about the rich man and Lazarus. It was the dust of the ground where all men went before Jesus came even though they trusted in God. Because it took Jesus conquering death to change this. And while this has changed for those who trust in Jesus. For those who deny Him the dust of the ground is still where they go to await the “resurrection unto damnation” Jesus spoke of in John5:29.
But, the question we are going to answer today is why did God make man this way? What possible purpose could this serve in God’s grand scheme of things? I mean, most of the church believes that Adam was immortal when he was made. Even though as these and other scriptures plainly point out the Bible says otherwise. But, does it really make a difference what we believe about this? Yes, of course it does!
Because free will is such an integral part of man’s makeup from the beginning, making it possible for man to choose between good and evil or life and death, the purpose for which God made Adam mortal from the beginning was so that all men would have the choice where they will live out their immortality.
And while all men will one day have immortality, I’m going to show you why not all men will live that immortality out in the same place. Some will live in God’s presence for eternity. While sadly most will live away from God’s presence. And this because of the choice men will make, again free will, to either trust in Jesus or deny Him.
Paul goes on to say in vs.50 of this chapter that “50 flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.” So apparently the immortal body men receive at their respective resurrections found in John5:29, even though they are spiritual bodies, will be made of flesh and blood just as Jesus’ was when He showed up after His resurrection and ate food and allowed Thomas to touch His side and His hands.
And since flesh and blood can not inherit the kingdom of God something else must be present for men to inherit the kingdom of God. And we find that something else in John3:4-6 where Jesus speaks of the necessity of a spirit birthed in men that makes them God’s child.
This immortality is spoken of in 1Cor.15:51-53 where Paul elaborates for us saying, “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”
This is the immortality that lives in God’s presence for eternity. Because this immortal body is what houses the spirit God creates in those of us who have trusted in Jesus now to be born again.
And as I said before John’s gospel speaks of immortality in general in ch.5 vs.28,29 where Jesus teaching them says, “28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”
This then refers to both immortal existences. The one that lives eternally in God’s presence. And the other that does not. Again showing us that immortality is for every person that has ever existed. And not just for those who have believed in Jesus.
This also gives an explanation for why those who choose to reject Jesus will be in the lake of fire for eternity. Because they have received the new body Jesus prepared for all men to be in eternity with Him. But, because they rejected Jesus they go with the false god they chose instead.
But, we needn’t feel sorry for them. Because all the goodnesses and longsufferings of God have been applied for their salvation just as it has for all men. And they chose instead of their own free will to have the cares of this life, deceitfulness of riches, and desires for other things.
We get a sense of this immortality also when Jesus says in John14:1-3, “1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
So we see here that Jesus’ purpose in the “mansions” that He is preparing is “a place for you… that where I am, ye may be also.” Something Paul was teaching about also in 2Cor.5:1 when he said that, “we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
But, just because everyone who has ever existed will have one, this does not mean you will be with Jesus for eternity. Because even though God says it’s His will for us. It’s our will that in the final analysis determines the God/god we go with.
It’s because of free will that not all men will have what God wills for their eternity. Many will choose an eternity apart from God. And God will allow them to because He determined in eternity past that men will go with the God/god he chooses. And not be forced.
This is why God has given to all men free will. Because He does not want anyone to be forced or pre programmed to live with Him forever. But, only those who recognize His love for them and choose to trust in and love Him in return.
Now that you know why God made Adam a mortal being, is immortality with Jesus something you desire to have? Then you need to have eternal life first. And now that you know will you love God as He hoped you would now that you realize how much He has loved you? Will you trust in Jesus for eternal life, and the immortality that follows it at the resurrection?
If you will then to receive these things from God Paul says in Rom.10:9,10 we must confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus. And believe in our hearts that He has raised from the dead. If you will then you will have eternal life now. If you will then you will have immortality at the resurrection. If you will… then I will see you there or in the air!
