Every year the youth of the Church who attend summer camp are immediately immersed in the Zone. The Zone is a safe place to learn and practice God’s way. It is a preview of the way the world will be in the future when the Kingdom of God is established on earth. In the Millennium, there will be worldwide peace and safety. Every person will be exposed to the godly way of life that produces happiness and joy.

Have you ever stopped to think that the millennial period will also be a preview of the eternal Kingdom of God that will rule the universe forever (2 Peter 1:11)? The ultimate reason you are alive is that God wants to share His level of existence with you forever. A simple research on the Internet concerning the question “do you want to live forever?” reveals that many people don’t! And really, why would they want to live forever in a world constantly bombarded by war, crime, murder, violence, divorce, disease, sickness, pain and suffering—just to name a few problems that face the human race? Why would someone who is paralyzed by a terrible automobile wreck want to live forever without the ability to walk? Would any of us want to see our loved ones suffer forever? Naturally, we wouldn’t. That’s why:

Living in the flesh forever will not work

Living forever can only succeed on a spiritual level. Hebrews 2:10 explains that God’s eternal purpose is to “bring many sons to glory.” God will elevate humans from their physical existence to His spiritual level through the resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:42-54 tells us that in the resurrection we will be given a glorified spirit body that is incorruptible. Notice 1 Corinthians 15:42-44: “So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body” (emphasis added). An incorruptible body means that you will no longer have to experience the wear, waste, and eventual death that characterize your physical body now.

The problems you face as a physical human being will disappear as a member of God’s family

You will no longer suffer or experience pain. Notice how the apostle John expressed the future in Revelation 21:4-5: “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’” When your physical body has “passed away,” you will no longer have to worry about suffering or pain, death or sorrow.

Does spirit life mean that you will no longer have fun, enjoy life, or experience pleasure?

Your quality of life will be elevated to a much higher level of enjoyment as a spirit being. Psalm 16:11 leaps out of the pages of your Bible with these words: “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Eternal life as a spirit being means that you will experience greater joy than you have ever experienced as a physical being. In our physical lives, we may be happy and/or joyful for periods of time. But there are also times of sadness and sorrow as well. Imagine a time when you will be full of joy that literally never ends. God is the most joyful being in the universe, and He wants to share His excitement with us. God also enjoys pleasures far beyond our comprehension. There will be no end to the pleasures that we will experience when we are part of His family.

Since you will never die, you can develop friendships that will last for eternity

As a spirit being, you will have the opportunity to get to know billions of other God-family members and to remember all of their names, interest, talents and skills. David describes God as one who laughs. You may never have thought of Him in that way before, but as a member of God’s family, you will also be able to laugh and enjoy amusing situations. Psalm 149:5 depicts a time in the future when the family of God will “be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud on their beds.” Again God reveals that you will be joyful, and you will be able to sing. Many of you already have musical skills and talents. But God will enrich your talent and ability, and you will be able to sing forever. Music will be uplifting and beautiful in the Kingdom of God.

You will experience God’s love, emanating from every member of the family of God

Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit (results) of having God’s Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God’s power. It is what makes up His essence. It’s what He is composed of. Notice what God is like: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Why would you want to live forever? Because God is love—it is the very core of His nature. Hatred, envy, jealousy, animosity, put-downs, and pride will no longer motivate the human family, once we are made immortal. As a spirit being, you will be motivated by godly love for everyone. How would you like to live in a world that is motivated by love, joy and peace? Where everyone is inspired by kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?

Why would you want to live forever?

Because you will be able to experience a new world, where everyone will practice the way of giving, helping and serving! The former (physical realm) will pass away and all things will be made new. Life will be elevated to the highest possible plane of existence. Every moment will be filled with excitement, adventure, creativity, planning, and will overflow with joy, pleasure and fulfillment.

When you attend the Feast of Tabernacles this year, remember that it is a preview of the way the world will be in the future, when the Kingdom of God is established on earth. God has given you an annual reminder of what life will be like in the Millennium, and for all eternity. It will be an exciting life, beyond your wildest dreams. Don’t forget that eternal life is a gift that God wants to give to you. As John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”