Biblical Answer

The Sovereignty of God

In the face of mortality, it is natural to wonder about the probability of survival. However, from a biblical perspective, the sovereignty of God is a fundamental truth that should guide our understanding of this issue. God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, and He is fully in control of every aspect of life, including mortality. As Psalm 139:16 says, "Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book and planned before a single one of them began." This means that God has already determined the course of our lives, including the day of our death.

The Probability of Survival

In terms of the probability of survival, the Bible teaches that life is fragile and fleeting. As the Psalmist says in Psalm 90:12, "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." This verse highlights the importance of living each day with a sense of urgency and purpose. While statistics may provide some information about the likelihood of survival, they are ultimately unreliable and should not be trusted as a source of comfort or security. Instead, we should focus on living a life that is pleasing to God, trusting in His sovereignty and providence.

Hope in Christ

In the face of mortality, the Christian has a unique hope that is grounded in the person and work of Jesus Christ. As 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 says, "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." This means that even in the midst of mortality, the Christian has a reason to hope, not because of the probability of survival, but because of the promise of eternal life in Christ. As the Bible says in Romans 8:38-39, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." This hope is not based on probability, but on the sovereign promise of God.