Even the world’s strongest men fear death. At a military parade in Beijing, Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un — surrounded by displays of power — were caught discussing not tanks or missiles, but how long they might live.
Although the massive displays of military might and power suggest overwhelming strength, indestructibility and invincibility, the very same leaders, known for their authoritarian control over their populations, were talking about what’s common to all mortals — how long do we have to live?
Yes, as they walked through the historic, albeit infamous, Tiananmen Square, with thousands of troops, military equipment, and war technology on full display before 50,000 spectators and the world at large, Presidents Xi, Putin, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un were discussing extending life. The hot mic moment gave the world a glimpse into the leaders discussing extending [their] lives and the possibility of achieving immortality.
Xi: “In the past, it used to be rare for someone to be older than 70, and these days they say that at 70 one’s still a child.
(Note: As of 2025, both Xi and Putin are 72.)
Putin: “With the development of biotechnology, human organs can be continuously transplanted, and people can live younger and younger, and even achieve immortality.”
Xi: “Predictions are, this century, there’s a chance of also living to 150 [years old].”
In another scene from the big day, a member of the North Korean leader’s security detail was seen wiping off the chair where their leader, Kim Jong-un, sat and other items he may have touched. Whether it was an effort to remove all possible DNA traces, fingerprints, dandruff, etc., of the dictator or for some other reason, it was a reminder of his sense of vulnerability.
Even if the average life expectancy soared from 75 to 90 and if biotechnical advances allowed someone to stay alive until 150, it’s still a far cry from achieving immortality.
The reality is — Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un have only a finite amount of time left to live the rest of their lives. They are no different than any other mortal.
Their conversation reveals a longing as old as humanity itself: the desire to escape death. But no amount of military power or biotechnology can erase what God has already said…
Each person is destined [appointed] to die once. Hebrews 9:27 NLT
Prepare to meet your God. Amos 4:12 NLT
Xi, Putin, Kim — and you and I — all share the same appointment with death.
No one escapes death. The Bible says:
When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. Romans 5:12 NLT
If the meaning of the above Bible verse is unclear to you, please reach out to us.
Regardless of the advances in biotechnology, we can be sure that even strong men will die. In light of this reality, there is nothing more important in anyone’s life than to intentionally prepare before death to meet God after death. Every funeral is a poignant reminder to the mourners and attendees that their own time of death is coming.
Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies—so the living should take this to heart. Ecclesiastes 7:2 NLT
As you attend to the priorities in your life this month, have you thought about your own preparation to meet God? According to the Bible, there are absolutely no opportunities after death to make things right with God. People praying for the dead to “Rest In Peace” may express love, but such prayers have no traction after death.
No one will have peace after death if they didn’t experience ‘peace with God’ before death.
…we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1CSB
To be right with God and to be in Heaven after you die, you must be right with God before you die. And the good news is, you can be right with God — effective immediately.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 NLT
There is beautiful hope in that verse! God has a free gift of eternal life available to you for the taking. The question is: will you receive the gift?
Read it here: President Trump Wants to Get to Heaven
Regardless of one’s sins, lifestyle or past — the free gift of God is available to any and every sinner who would like to be saved from their sins and sure of Heaven.
Speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Bible says this:
To all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12 ESV
Jesus Christ experienced death. His death was not due to illness or age; His death was a purposeful death. He came to earth to die.
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1Timothy 1:15
For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8 CSB
Even strong men will die. The question is: will you be ready to meet God?
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