Eternal Life (Part 1)

It is extremely important to know what we mean by the term "Eternal Life".

Some say that it means nothing more than: to exist eternally.
For others, Eternal Life only begins when they will enjoy the blissful presence of the Lord in perfection after their earthly lives.
Others regard it as a gift that believers already receive now, but which they can lose through unfaithfulness, thus losing the ensuing eternal happiness.

All these opinions are incomplete, and the latter even contains a false conclusion.

We mention these because it becomes all the more clear that God's thoughts are higher than those of men. Moreover, they provide a guideline for this lesson.

Note: Sometimes the word everlasting is used as synonym to eternal.

1

If eternal life were merely "existing eternally", this would mean that the godless cease to exist, because they do not possess eternal life.

But what do we read about them in the Book of Revelation?

Your response:

Revelation 14:11

Revelation 20:10

And the devil who deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where are both the beast and the false prophet, and they shall be tormented day and night for the ages of ages.

And the smoke of their torment goes up to the ages of ages, and they have no respite day and night.

2

We must not think of "eternal life" primarily as an eternal existence, but as a continuation that can truly be called "life". This can only be the case when man is connected with God, who is the source of all life.

As mentioned, unbelievers continue to exist too, but this is not called "life", let alone "eternal life".

Your response:

What does Matthew 25:46 call this endurance?

How is it phrased in 2 Thessalonians 1:9?

Everlasting destruction - eternal punishment.

The eternal punishment.

3

As descendants of Adam, we possess the natural life.

Because the connection between man and God has been destroyed through the fall into sin, this life is characterized in three ways by death:

Your response:

Firstly, every person is spiritually dead as a sinner.
How is this described in
- Ephesians 2:1 - "...you, being in your offenses and sins"
- Ephesians 2:5 - "...we too being in offenses"
- Colossians 2:13 - "And you, being in your offenses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh"
- Luke 15:24 - "For this my son was and has come to life, was and has been found."

Secondly, the human body is subject to death.
- what is the body called in Romans 6:12? A body
- we also find this in verses 22, 53 and 54 of 1 Corinthians 15.

Thirdly, anyone who dies in unbelief will continue to exist after the resurection with soul and body separated from God, for eternity in the lake of fire.
- what is this existing in the lake of fire called in Revelation 20:6 and 14? The .

4

We therefore need life, and indeed a more valuable life than Adam possessed. A life that is in direct contrast to the three aspects of death just mentioned. This new life was received by the believer when he was born again.

Your response:

Firstly: Instead of being spiritually dead before God, every believer,
- according to Ephesians 2:5: "hath us together with the Christ"
- according to Colossians 2:13: "and you ... hath he together with him."

Secondly: Our mortal body will
- according to Romans 8:11: "but if the Spirit of him that has raised up Jesus from among the dead dwell in you, he that has raised up Christ from among the dead shall your mortal bodies also"
- according to 1 Corinthians 15:53: "for this corruptible must needs put on , and this mortal put on "

Thirdly: The second death has no power over the believer
- according to Revelation 20:6: "Over these the second death has power".

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Bible course: Basic Bible Course 3

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Basic Bible Course 3