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Euthanasia Euthanasia is the killing of the elderly, or assisted suicide or mercy killing. Some situations complicate a simple yes or no response to this important issue. Should we keep people alive artificially by machines, spending all of our resources? When is someone legally dead, and we have all heard accounts of those who were in comas, only to awaken months or even years later? Is one doing those who suffer a favor to induce their death? Cannot medicine be given to alleviate the pain? If today it is okay because one is suffering physically, then tomorrow would it be okay for those who mentally suffer with grief and depression? Do we want to start down this slippery path? Everyone has had hard times in their lives, but a word of encouragement can make a great deal of difference. I heard a story years ago that has always stayed with me about those who would jump from a tall building or bridge to end their lives. It used to be that when such people were spotted, others would try to talk them out of it, knowing that tomorrow would bring a new sunrise with new hopes. But as the bystanders stood there trying to talk the hurting person out of his dilemma, along would come the town drunk, and he would holler Jump, jump and laugh as he said it. Do we want to be placed in the category of those who are encouraging others to end it all? The only thing I can point to in scripture that would be similar would be the death of King Saul Chronicles ten four. Saul had been wounded in battle and was afraid of falling into the hands of the enemy. He told his armor bearer to kill him with his sword, but he would not, and then Saul fell on his own sword. If it is wrong to kill oneself, and it is, thou shalt not kill, God did not create us to kill ourselves, then it would be wrong to help someone do it. The Bible says we were all made in the image of God, and all life is sacred. See suicide. Evangelist Strong's equals, a bringer of good tidings. And he gave some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Ephesians four eleven to twelve. This office is still valid for today, and they can be a great encouragement to the local church. Philip, not the apostle, but he who was an evangelist. These are men especially equipped of God to help encourage the believers, and at least from my perspective, seem to be used of the Holy Spirit more than the average preacher. And because God gave them, we must need them, see Pastor. Eve. Strong's equals life or living. The wife of Adam and the mother of all living, Genesis 3 20. Therefore, Cain's wife came from Eve, just as Abraham married his half sister, Genesis 2011-12. Not until the time of Moses was there a prohibition against marrying close relatives, Leviticus 18-20. Cain's sister slash wife probably was fully grown before he met her, as it appears he left his parents before daughters were born to Adam and Eve, Genesis 414 5 4. Intermarriages of close relatives can increase the risk of passing on harmful mutations, but at the beginning of the human race, there would have been fewer mutations. Evolution, see creation.