WHAT IS ETERNAL LIFE ?
Definition:
According to the Bible, Eternal life is a divine gift from God that is given to those who believe in Jesus Christ. It is not merely endless existence but a life of divine quality and communion with God. This life begins now and continues into eternity
Etymology:
Hebrew (Old Testament):
- Chayei Olam (םָל וֹ יֵחיּ) means “life eternal” or “life of the world, “often referring to God’s promise of eternal life.
- Chai (חיּ ) means “life,” often used to signify a full, blessed life with God.
Greek (New Testament):
- Zoe Aionios (Ζωὴ αἰώνιος) means “eternal life,” referring to a life that transcends time, often through connection with God.
- Zoe (Ζωὴ) refers to spiritual, divine life, while Aionios (αἰώνιος) means “eternal” or “everlasting.” In both languages, “eternal life” is a life in union with God, beyond just physical existence.
1. Eternal Life as a Gift Through Jesus Christ
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” ( Romans 6 : 23 )
Eternal life is a free gift that contrasts the death resulting from sin. This life is available only through Jesus Christ.
2. Jesus as the Source of Eternal Life
“Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.'” ( John 11: 25 )
Jesus identifies Himself as the resurrection and the life, signifying that eternal life is found through Him alone.
3. Eternal Life Begins Now, Not After Death
“And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.” ( John 3: 36 )
Eternal life is a present possession for those who believe. It is not something to be awaited after death but something believers already have.
4. Eternal Life as Knowledge of God
“And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.” ( John 17: 3 )
Jesus links eternal life with knowing God and Himself. True eternal life is grounded in a personal relationship with God, not mere intellectual knowledge.
5. Eternal Life and the Resurrection
“I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead.”
( Philippians 3: 10 -11 )
Eternal life also includes the power of Christ’s resurrection, which transforms believers both spiritually and physically.
6. The Tree of Life in the New Jerusalem
“Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.”
( Revelation 22: 1 -2 )
In the eternal state, the access to the tree of life is restored to believers, symbolizing the fullness of eternal life in the presence of God.
II. How to know you have Eternal life
To know that you have eternal life, it begins with recognizing and confessing your sin before God and accepting His provision of a Savior, Jesus Christ.
1. Acknowledge Your Sin:
Confess your sin before God and recognize that you need a Savior.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” ( Romans 10: 13 )
2. Believe in Jesus Christ:
Accept that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died for your sins and rose again on the third day.
“They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.'” ( Acts 16: 31 )
“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” ( Romans 10: 9 -10 )
3. To receive eternal life:
The Bible makes it clear that eternal life is found in Jesus Christ.
“And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.” ( 1 John 5: 11 -12 )
By trusting in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice, you can be assured that you have eternal life.
III. God’s Eternal plan for Eternity:
God’s eternal plan centers on His glory and the supremacy of His Son, Jesus Christ. The plan of redemption is ultimately about bringing everything under the authority of Christ, who will rule as King, and fulfilling God’s purpose for creation.
1. God’s Eternal Purpose:
“He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.” ( Ephesians 1: 9 -10 )
- This passage reveals that God’s plan for eternity is to bring all things under the rule of Christ. It’s not just about us as individuals but about the unification of all creation under Christ’s authority. God’s redemption plan has a cosmic scope, where Christ will restore and reign over everything.
2. Christ as the Central Figure of Creation and Redemption: ( Colossians 1: 16 -20 )
- Jesus is not only the agent of creation but also the one through whom all things are reconciled. The ultimate aim of God’s redemption plan is to reconcile the entire cosmos to Himself through Jesus. This shows that God’s plan for eternity is about restoring everything to its rightful place under the headship of Christ.
3. Christ’s Final Victory: ( 1 Corinthians 15: 24 -28 )
In this passage, we see the culmination of God’s plan for eternity: Christ reigning until all enemies are defeated, including death, and then handing everything over to God the Father. This is the final fulfillment of God’s eternal plan—Christ as the supreme ruler, with all things brought into perfect harmony under Him.
4.The Exaltation of Christ: ( Philippians 2: 9 -11 )
- God’s eternal plan culminates in the glorification of Christ. The ultimate purpose is that Jesus Christ would be acknowledged as Lord by all, bringing ultimate glory to God the Father.
5. Christ’s Worthy Reign: ( Revelation 5: 9 -13 )
- In Revelation, we see that God’s eternal plan for redemption is not just about saving individuals but about a cosmic worship of Christ, who is worthy to reign and to receive glory for His work of redemption. This is a picture of the eternal kingdom where all creation acknowledges Christ’s sovereignty.
6. The Restoration of Creation: ( Romans 8: 18 -21 )
- God’s plan for eternity also includes the redemption of all creation, not just humanity. Creation itself will be restored and brought into the freedom of God’s glory, a key aspect of the eternal redemption through Christ