Scientists Learn How To Stop Cell Death?

It has recently been reported by several news outlets that scientists may have discovered a means of preventing cell death. Since I am neither a scientist, nor a particularly intelligent layman, trying to read (and understand) the original research paper was an exercise in futility.

I am not interested in dissecting the scientific merits of the research itself, but would like to conduct a little thought experiment regarding how this discovery may relate to a biblical worldview of God’s sovereignty, immortality, and the ultimate end of all things here on Earth.

God’s original design for mankind was for us to live forever, with Him. Our bodies were intended to be immortal, without blemish or decay. And although our sin has destroyed that original design, bringing death to all of us, the desire to return to that immortal status has been ingrained in our psyches from the beginning.

From searching for the mythical fountain of youth, to this recent discovery that will supposedly prevent the eventual death of our cells, humanity has continuously tried to validate and make true the first lie ever recorded in human history: “You will not surely die.” (Genesis 3:4)

Adam and Eve both believed that lie of Satan long ago. Many atheist scientists today believe they can make good on that wicked promise. The search for immortality has never ceased and now some scientists believe we may be closer than ever to realizing that hope of hopes.

Attempting to play God themselves, many scientists believe they can solve the death problem outside of God’s only prescribed method (repentance and faith in Jesus Christ alone). Could it be that the Lord may eventually grant them the power to prevent natural death?

That is where this thought experiment comes in. Note that I do not presume to speak for God, unless I am directly quoting His Word. I also do not presume to know exactly how the end times will shake out; that is not for any of us to know in great detail. But God has given us a pretty clear roadmap of the things that are yet to take place in this world.

In the book of Revelation, the Apostle John relays to us what the Lord has revealed to him:

📘 … in those days people will seek death and will not find it. They will long to die, but death will flee from them.

Revelation 9:6 (ESV)

While this certainly could be God Himself miraculously sustaining their lives, forcing them to live through the judgments He is pouring out upon a rebellious people, might it not also be Man’s crowning achievement coming back to bite him?

“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31) The people on Earth at this time will be experiencing, first-hand, the undeniable wrath of God. They will want nothing more than to escape that judgment and will cry out for the mountains to bury them (Luke 23:30).

Could it be that these days could find Man rejoicing at their own cleverness at defeating death only to have that immortality they so vehemently clamored for is now their greatest curse?

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked…” (Galatians 6:7) The writer of Hebrews makes it very clear that “it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment“ (Hebrews 9:27) because of our sin against God. We cannot escape that, no matter how hard we try or how far we advance our scientific endeavors.

But what if, in a devastating twist of irony, the Lord allows Man to think he has cheated death, only for that arrogance to be repaid in such suffering from which they can no longer escape?

📘 The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught. The LORD has made himself known; he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands. … Put them in fear, O LORD! Let the nations know that they are but men!

Psalms 9:15-16, 20

Of course, God has always held the issues of life and death in His hands alone. No one who has ever lived has died before or after the exact point that God has determined. That will not change in the last days either; the Lord will ultimately get the credit for every premature death or prolonged life of His created beings.