must believe in it. In the very nature of things, there can be no direct confirmation of immortality, because immortality never comes to an end so as to allow itself to be confirmed. Apart from various negative symptoms, the only positive confirmation possible is that the consciousness of immortality represents the sane way to live.
I am fully aware that even if the consciousness of immortality is the correct approach to the problems of this world, that is not logical proof that immortality beyond death exists for you. It may exist for others, but not for you. It may not exist. But I am not concerned with logical proof, so much as sensible, rational choice. A man may prove logically to his own satisfaction that there is no reason why he should be afraid of death; yet he may be very much afraid of it. Logical proof is worthless when called on to face the realities of life, unless it is backed up by confident belief. Where one has to choose between the two, my choice is confident belief, provided that belief does not conflict with experience.
The first half of the question is harder to answer. Is death inevitably just round the corner for all of us? One does not want to be overawed by statistics. 100 million deaths only suggest that it is inevitable: one immortal life proves that it isn't. Naturally one cannot help speculating on what would have happened to Christ if he had not been murdered. It is quite clear that Christ thought he was immortal; for one thing he repeatedly prophesied his own resurrection. But could anyone go through the motions of raising someone from the dead, unless he believed he was immortal here and now? How else could he believe he was the master of life and death? It does not greatly matter whether Jairus's daughter was dead or not, although plainly those watching were convinced she was, because they laughed to scorn the suggestion that she was not; what matters more is where Christ got the confidence to call aloud for her…