Eternal Life!

Immortality is the ability to live for ever and ever. It is unknown whether human physical immortality is an achievable condition. Biological forms have inherent limitations which may or may not be able to be overcome through medical interventions or engineering. [1]

Initially when God created Man, he was meant to live for ever and this “initial imperishability of the bodily frame of man” was uncorrupted before SIN entered in. Ever since the Fall of Adam and Eve our first parents (Genesis 3) lost physical immortality themselves and for all their descendents and that is a curse to humanity.

Christians who profess Nicene Creed believe that every dead person will be resurrected from the dead and this belief is known as the ‘Universal Resurrection’. Specific imagery of resurrection into immortal form is found in God’s Word.

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be unto God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for asmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”1 Cori 15: 51-58.

Jesus said eternal life is knowing God and that means having an intimate, close personal relationship with God. A genuine believer who confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior is saved and after the last judgment day will live in the presence of God for ever.

“Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life.”Rom 2: 16-17. God will indeed demonstrate divine justice as He gives man the appropriate recompense for his actions: eternal life for his obedience or eternal condemnation for his disobedience. In Christian living it is not enough to know well and do well; but also one has to demonstrate patience and persevere at doing well.

N.T Wright, a former Bishop of Durham, has said many people forget the physical aspect of what Jesus promised. He told Time: "Jesus' resurrection marks the beginning of a restoration that he will complete upon his return. Part of this will be the resurrection of the dead, who will 'awake', be embodied and participate in the renewal”. [2]

The heavenly inheritance is incorruptible and never fades away; “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.” 1 Pet 1:4. Our present bodies are corruptible flesh and blood. How can the perishable become incorruptible? It has to be changed into an ever-during substance before it can be capable of possessing the heavenly inheritance. The bodies of the saints when they rise up from the dead will be greatly changed from what they are now to a much better state. They will be changed to an incorruptible, glorious, and spiritual bodies which will be fitted to the celestial world and state. This incorruptible body is ever afterwards to dwell and have their eternal inheritance. “Now this I say brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.”1 Cori 15:50.

Just like Eternal Life there is Eternal death and that according to God’s Word is a realm of constant physical and spiritual anguish in a lake of fire. Some see the fires of hell as a theological metaphor representing the inescapable presence of God endured in absence of love for God. Some others suggested that Hell represents complete destruction of both the physical body and of spiritual existence. An unbeliever and the wicked will be estranged from the presence of God, and will be abandoned to never- ending conscious of guilt and this will be the punishment for their sin.

To those who do well God will reward with heavenly glory and honour and everlasting life! Heaven is the undoubted inheritance of all the children of God. God gives His gifts to all, but the inheritance to none but His children.

Website References:

1.Immortality - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Eternal life can also be defined as a timeless existence, which is also not known for certain to be achievable, or even definable, despite millennia of arguments ...
Biological immortality - Immortality in fiction - Immortality test - Crown of Immortality

2. Eternal Life - Item - World of Warcraft
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Eternal Life is an item dropped by elemental NPCs; it is used for crafting. It is crafted, looted and sold by NPCs.

3.What is eternal life?
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What is eternal life? It is difficult for the human mind to conceive the concept of eternity. A lifetime is a long time. Is eternity two lifetimes? Three? Four? Is there a ...

4.John 17:3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only ...
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This is life eternal - This is the source of eternal life; or it is in this manner that it is to be obtained. The knowledge of God and of his Son Jesus Christ is itself a ...

5.How to get to heaven/eternal life
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How to get to heaven and have eternal, everlasting life. Eternal life is found only in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world. You need the blood of Jesus.

6.Eternallife.net
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7’Eternal Life - Article - Andrew Wommack Ministries
www.awmi.net › Home › Extras › Teaching ArticlesCached
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Andrew Wommack teaches that eternal life is not just living forever.


Book References:

1. Jay E.Adams, ‘The Christian Counselor’s Manual, ‘The Practice of Nouthetic Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1973)

2. John G. Kruis, ‘Quick Scripture Reference for Counseling; (Grand rapids: Baker Books, Third edition, p. 169-170)

3. David G. Benner & Peter C. Hill, ‘Baker Encyclopaedia of Psychology & Counseling’ Second Edition, (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1985, 1999)

4. Dr. Larry Crabb, “Effective Biblical Counseling” How Caring Christians can Become Capable Counselors, (Hammersmith: Marshall Pickering, 1985), p. 100-104).

5.The Matthew Henry Study Bible, ‘King James version’ The best of Matthew Henry’s Notes in a Handy One Volume Reference Bible, World Bible Publishers, Inc; 1994, Iowa Falls, U.S.A.

6. David Seeking A Heart Like His, ‘Beth Moore’ Life Way Christian resources, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, pgs: 206-210.

7. Jay E. Adams, ‘Critical Stages of Biblical Counseling’ Finishing Well, Breaking Through, Getting Started, (New Jersey: Zondervan, 2002)

8. Jay E. Adams, ‘How to Help People Change’ The Four-step Biblical Process, (Grand rapids: Zondervan, 1986)

9. John F. MacArthur, JR. Wayne A. Mack & The Master’s College Faculty, ‘Introduction To Biblical Counseling’, “A Basic Guide To The Principles And Practice Of Counseling”(Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers,1994)

10. Jay E. Adams, ‘Lectures on Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978, p.192-203)

11. The Holy Bible, New King James version, Women of Destiny Bible, “Women Mentoring women Through the Scriptures” A Spirit Filled Life Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, Copyright 1982.