"Astronomers looked 8,000 light-years into the cosmos with the Hubble Space Telescope, and it seemed that the eye of God was staring back"—National Geographic, April 1997

Scientific advancements like the Hubble Space Telescope have enabled us to peer beyond the threshold of the earth into the secrets of boundless space. Yet how do we puny humans fit into the limitless gulf of the universe? Where does the Bible come into all this? Does our purpose here on earth have anything to do with the infinite cosmos?

Do we have a rendezvous with infinity? Is our ultimate destiny so mind-expanding that the human intellect can hardly grasp its grandeur? What is our purpose on earth? What is our future?

The late American author Norman Cousins once asked: "How did the conditions that make life possible originate? How did they come together in vital confluence?" To many, educated in the Judeo-Christian ethic, the real answer resides in the early chapters of Genesis.

But as Mr. Cousins also observed: "The primary question is not, 'Where did life come from?' but 'What can human life become?' . . . [Remember,] we belong to an unfinished species" (Human Options, emphasis added). When you really come to understand it, we were created to need something we did not have within us when we were born.

What is our ultimate purpose—our role in this vast cosmos?

"For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God" (Romans 8:19 Romans 8:19For the earnest expectation of the creature waits for the manifestation of the sons of God.
American King James Version×).

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17 2 Corinthians 5:17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
American King James Version×).

Clearly the purpose of life is linked to creation. It did not end with the physical creation of Genesis chapter one. The present emphasis is on the spiritual creation God is bringing to pass in the lives of converted human beings (compare Galatians 6:15 Galatians 6:15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
American King James Version×).

Was the mystery of life always known?

". . . According to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations . . ." (Romans 16:25-26 Romans 16:25-26 [25] Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, [26] But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
American King James Version×).

The quest of the apostle Paul was "to make all [people] see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 3:9 Ephesians 3:9And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world has been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
American King James Version×).

Even today only those the Bible terms the "firstfruits"—those people God is calling to salvation now, in this age—truly understand that mystery (compare John 6:44 John 6:44No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
American King James Version×, 65). It is the mission of the Church of God to proclaim, clarify and make known that mystery.

This is not the only day of salvation. Most people are unaware of God's great plan and are not being given the opportunity for salvation at this time. Our free booklet God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Humanity gives you the full background to understanding this essential biblical theme.

Does our future role involve a family relationship?

"I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty" (2 Corinthians 6:18 2 Corinthians 6:18And will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, said the Lord Almighty.
American King James Version×).

Paul told the Christians in Galatia, "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:26 Galatians 3:26For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
American King James Version×). God is in the process of creating, molding and shaping His future family. This family will be wholly composed of spirit beings—destined to be in the Kingdom of God as His children, given eternal life by their Father.

Is it possible for us, as physical human beings, to be full and complete family members of the Kingdom of God—now at this present time—in this age of man?

"Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption" (1 Corinthians 15:50 1 Corinthians 15:50Now this I say, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption.
American King James Version×).

To gain the immortality that God and Jesus Christ already possess, our very composition has to be changed. As Paul puts it, "As we have borne the image of the man of dust [Adam], we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man [Jesus Christ]" (1 Corinthians 15:49 1 Corinthians 15:49And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
American King James Version×; compare Philippians 3:20-21 Philippians 3:20-21 [20] For our conversation is in heaven; from where also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: [21] Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like to his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things to himself.
American King James Version×; 1 Timothy 6:16 1 Timothy 6:16Who only has immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach to; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen.
American King James Version×).

Exactly when will this majestic and wonderful change take place?

"For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming" (1 Corinthians 15:21-23 1 Corinthians 15:21-23 [21] For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. [22] For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. [23] But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
American King James Version×).

This marvelous change takes place at the time of the resurrection for those who have died in Christ, along with true Christians who will still be alive at His coming. The time frame for these astounding events is the second coming of Jesus Christ (compare 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 [16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
American King James Version×).

A word of explanation: This resurrection is called both "the first resurrection" (Revelation 20:4-6 Revelation 20:4-6 [4] And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark on their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. [5] But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. [6] Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
American King James Version×) and "a better resurrection" (Hebrews 11:35 Hebrews 11:35Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
American King James Version×). God's plan includes more than one resurrection. Our booklet What Happens After Death? explains the important distinctions.

But has God mercifully provided Christians a present guarantee of this astounding promise?

"But if the Spirit of Him [the Father] who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit [that] dwells in you" (Romans 8:11 Romans 8:11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you.
American King James Version×).

Receiving God's Spirit constitutes the promise or down payment that we will receive our full reward—being raised to eternal life as the children of God. Provided we continue to be faithful, this Spirit is our guarantee of eternal life in the Kingdom of God (2 Corinthians 1:22 2 Corinthians 1:22Who has also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
American King James Version×; 2 Corinthians 5:5 2 Corinthians 5:5Now he that has worked us for the selfsame thing is God, who also has given to us the earnest of the Spirit.
American King James Version×). Those who receive the Holy Spirit now in this present age of man will join God's everlasting family at the time of the first resurrection (compare Romans 8:18-19 Romans 8:18-19 [18] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. [19] For the earnest expectation of the creature waits for the manifestation of the sons of God.
American King James Version×; Ephesians 1:13-14 Ephesians 1:13-14 [13] In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, [14] Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of his glory.
American King James Version×).

What is God planning with regard to His family?

"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren" (Romans 8:29 Romans 8:29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
American King James Version×).

"In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers" (Hebrews 2:10-11 Hebrews 2:10-11 [10] For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. [11] For both he that sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers,
American King James Version×, New International Version).

God is planning a large family with many children. The apostle Paul wrote of "the whole family" of God (Ephesians 3:15 Ephesians 3:15Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
American King James Version×), but always with a view to its flesh-and-blood members eventually attaining immortality and everlasting life in that great family kingdom (compare 2 Peter 1:4 2 Peter 1:4Whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
American King James Version×).

To obtain a much greater knowledge of the grandeur of this marvelous biblical truth, please write for our free booklet Why Were You Born? It will help you understand the astounding future God has set before you.