In Gulliver's Travels, Gulliver visits the people of Luggnagg. There he is amazed to learn of the existence of a rare breed of people destined to live forever. At first, thrilled with the prospect of endless life, he amuses his friends by listing the projects and studies he would undertake were immortality his lot.
Soon however, Gulliver discovers that these immortals are not a happy people. "They had not only all the Follies and Infirmities of other old Men, but many more which arose from the dreadful Prospect of never dying." Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift, Part III, Chap. 10 Pondering this, Gulliver reluctantly concludes that immortality is not practical and that "the System of Living contrived by me was unreasonable and unjust, because it supposed a Perpetuity of Youth, Health, and Vigour."
The question is: Is there no"perpetuity of Youth, Health, and vigour"?Are youthful qualities snuffed out at a certain point in life?The Bible consistently challenges Gulliver's concept by promising long life as a reward ward for faithful service to God. Proverbs has it,"My son,forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: for length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee."Prov. 3: 1, 2
