Difference between revisions of "Eternal Life"

Daniel 12:2 <p> It occurs frequently in the New [[Testament]] ( Matthew 7:14; 18:8,9; Luke 10:28; comp 18:18). It comprises the whole future of the redeemed (Luke 16:9 ), and is opposed to "eternal punishment" (Matthew 19:29; 25:46 ). It is the final reward and glory into which the children of [[God]] enter (1 Timothy 6:12,19; Romans 6:22; Galatians 6:8; 1 Timothy 1:16; Romans 5:21 ); their [[Sabbath]] of rest (Hebrews 4:9; comp 12:22). </p> <p> The newness of life which the believer derives from [[Christ]] (Romans 6:4 ) is the very essence of salvation, and hence the life of glory or the eternal life must also be theirs (Romans 6:8; 2 Timothy 2:11,12; Romans 5:17,21; 8:30; Ephesians 2:5,6 ). It is the "gift of God in [[Jesus]] Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23 ). The life the faithful have here on earth (John 3:36; 5:24; 6:47,53-58 ) is inseparably connected with the eternal life beyond, the endless life of the future, the happy future of the saints in heaven (Matthew 19:16,29; 25:46 ). </p>

<p> [[Yet]] in this expression, the emphasis is on the <i> quality </i> of life rather than on the unending duration of life. [[Probably]] some aspects of both quality and duration appear in every context, but some refer primarily to <i> quality of life </i> and others point to <i> unending life </i> or a <i> life to be entered into </i> in the future. </p> <p> “Quality of life” involves (1) life imparted by God; (2) transformation and renewal of life; (3) life fully opened to [[God]] and centered in Him; (4) a constant overcoming of sin and moral evil; and (5) the complete removal of moral evil from the person and from the environment of that person. </p> <p> [[Eternal]] Life As [[Experience]] in the [[Present]] This term in John has important implications. The one trusting in the [[Son]] has eternal life; the one disobeying the Son has the wrath of God abiding on him (John 3:36 ). [[Trusting]] and obeying go together; they leave no room for neutrality. The one who hears Christ's message and believes or trusts in the Father who sent Him has eternal life. This person does not come into condemnation but has passed out of death into life (John 5:24 ). The perfect tense—one who has passed and remained in the state of having passed from death into life—emphasizes eternal life as a permanent, present reality. But no presumption is possible here. Eternal life is a present reality for the one hearing and trusting (John 5:24 ). </p> <p> The bold metaphors of <i> eating </i> and <i> drinking </i> point to active involvement with Christ. “The one eating my flesh and drinking my blood, has eternal life” ( John 6:54 ). (Translations in this article are the author's.) John 6:57 explains: “The one eating <i> me </i> will live because of <i> me </i> .” Since [[Christ]] is our life, we must make that life part of us by “sharing in Christ,” by actively coming to Him and drawing life-giving strength from Him. </p> <p> Eternal life is defined in Jesus' high priestly prayer: “Eternal life is this: that people be constantly knowing you, the only genuine God and [[Jesus]] Christ whom You sent” (John 17:3 ). The present tense of the verb “to know” indicates that this knowledge is by experience—not from intellectual facts. Genuine knowledge of God by experience brings eternal life. Such experience transforms life. </p> <p> Eternal Life as Experienced in the Present and Future John compared the lifting up of the serpent in the wilderness to the lifting up of the Son of Man on the cross and His exaltation to heaven. People who respond to Christ by constant trust have eternal life (John 3:15 ). They have healing from something more deadly than snakebite—the destructive effects of sin. Here eternal life involves a present healing, a present reality. But John 3:16 refers both to the present and the future: “Now God loved the world in this fashion; as a result he gave his unique Son, that everyone believing or trusting in him should not perish but should be having eternal life.” Perishing is contrasted with having eternal life. “Eternal life” here is both present and future and is the alternative to “perishing.” </p> <p> Christ defined His true sheep as those who hear or listen to His voice and follow Him (John 10:27 ). To such disciples, He gives eternal life, and they will not perish (John 10:28 ). Again, no presumption is possible. Those are secure who persistently listen, hearken, and follow. For such people eternal life is both a present and a future reality. </p> <p> Eternal Life as a Future Experience “What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” the rich young ruler asked. (Mark 10:17; compare Matthew 19:16; Luke 18:18 ). He saw eternal life as a final inheritance. His earnestness moved Jesus, and Jesus loved this young man (Mark 10:21 ). But he had to make a decision: [[Would]] he follow Jesus without his possessions? (Mark 10:22 ). He answered, “No.” He could not part with his possessions first and then follow Jesus. </p> <p> In Matthew 19:27 Peter asked Jesus, “What then shall be to us?” The disciples had left their dear ones and their possessions to follow Jesus. Jesus promised them loved ones and lands (possessions) with persecutions. Then He added: “And in the coming age, eternal life” ( Mark 10:30 ). Eternal life here refers to an unending future reality. </p> <p> John 12:20-26 tells of some [[Greeks]] who wanted to see Jesus. We do not know how Jesus interacted with these Greeks. We do know He spoke about His death and what it meant to be a disciple: “The one loving his life [or soul] will lose it; but the one hating his life [or soul] in this world will guard the soul unto <i> eternal life </i> ” (John 12:25 ). Jesus here contrasted eternal life with the present life. [[Believers]] are to guard their persons or souls by serving Christ and following Him (John 12:26 ). Such servants will be where Christ is, and the Father will honor them (John 12:26 ). To be where Christ is means to come into eternal life—a life freed from sin or moral evil. </p> <p> [[Paul]] declared that “the one sowing to the [[Spirit]] will reap eternal life from the Spirit” (Galatians 6:8 ). Eternal life is given by Jesus and the [[Holy]] Spirit. This future reality, already experienced to some limited degree in the present, involves the Father, Son, and Spirit. [[Fellowship]] in life eternal means fellowship with the Triune God. </p> <p> A. [[Berkeley]] Mickelsen </p>

<p> See [[Eternal]] and Life and Death. </p>

<p> See LIFE, ETERNAL. </p>