In the 14th century, the average life expectancy in Europe was a mere 38 years. With the advent of soap in 1790, disease incidence significantly decreased, leading to a ten-year increase in life expectancy. By 1928, with the discovery of the antibiotic penicillin, life expectancy rose to 58 years, making another ten year leap.
In the 21st century, the average lifespan has reached 80 years. Experts anticipate a further increase to 100 years in the near future—a twenty-year gain. The term “Homo-Hundred” is already understood and acknowledged by the public.
Scientists have identified telomeres as a crucial factor in aging and human lifespan. Telomeres, derived from the Greek words telos (end) and meros (part), are protective caps at the end of a chromosomes. Human cells typically divide 50 to 100 times during their lifetime, with telomeres shortening with each division. Once telomeres reach a critical length, cells cease dividing and eventually perish. Researchers are actively exploring methods to prevent telomeres from shortening, potentially extending human lifespan.
If scientists succeed in the research and life expectancy reaches 100 years, will people truly be satisfied? Undoubtedly, the quest for longevity will persist. Immortality has always been humans’ greatest aspiration. However, no matter how hard a human struggles, there is a certainly limit to their lifespan. Any earthly means cannot grant eternal life. However, in the spiritual realm, it is not an impossibility.
Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” Jn 6:53–54
Whoever eats Jesus’ flesh and drinks His blood can have eternal life. The answer to eternal life, which mankind longs for, is in Jesus’ flesh and blood. Then, how can we eat Jesus’ flesh and drink His blood?
Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” . . . And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” Lk 22:7–20
The night before His death on the cross, Jesus established the New Covenant Passover, saying that the Passover bread is “My body” and the Passover wine is “My blood.” Therefore, if we eat and drink the Passover bread and wine, we can eat Jesus’ flesh and drink His blood and receive eternal life.
It is impossible to create immortal telomeres, which would enable human beings to live forever on earth. Eternal life is only possible through the method of God who has eternal life (1 Ti 6:16). It means that the Passover of the new covenant established by Jesus is the only solution.