I'd like to share a song with you all that struck me as being an apt description of how those who long for eternal life see the age that is to come through the lenses of the present:

"Home is behind, the world ahead
And there are many paths to tread
Through shadow, to the edge of night
Until the stars are all alight
Mist and Shadow
Cloud and shade
All shall fade......all shall fade"

I see the lyrics in this way. Home as we would prefer it to be is not yet... we must wait. It's like a journey to a country where our destination is hidden... distant. We have a long journey ahead and our end goal is beyond the horizon.

As we travel, there are trials to endure (paths to tread). Some of the trials will bring us perhaps unto the verge of death (the edge of night). It will remain that way for us this side of the kingdom of God until all is made right (the stars are all alight).

Mist and Shadow, Cloud and Shade prevent the light from shining through... which is analogous to truth, goodness, and justice being absent from so much of our existence. But the cloud and the shade shall someday fade... it will all fade away giving birth to the splendor of the light.

I long to see that day.

p.s. to anyone who has seen the Lord of the Rings trilogy, a treat for you that enjoyed it: Edge of Night (Pippin's Song) - YouTube

I like totally gag on the thought of eternal life. Throw me into some nice earth under a broccoli patch and let me rot and be no more. Our bodies are comprised of the earth and seas, so send them back, no coffin, no embalming, not even any energy wasting cremation. Our minds are synapses that end when they end. Any other notions are vanity, egotism, and fear of the unknown.

Boy did you miss the point.

Jakester,

That is nice. And sometimes exactly how I feel. Some days I find myself saying... Even so, Come Lord Jesus! :)