Forever

  • Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.

    You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Netchaplain

Ordained Chaplain
Oct 12, 2011
2,388
901
113
Missouri
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Eternal life has to do with two elements: being in God; and in an incorruptible physical body, termed a “spiritual body” (1Co 15:44, e.g. Luk 24:39). Thus the “resurrection” has solely to do with a new physical body, which all who come into this life will receive, the good and the evil (Jhn 5:28). All will be raised, some unto eternal life, and most unto eternal death (“second death” - Rev 2:11; 20:6, 14; 21:8); which the latter “shall be forever and ever” in “the lake of fire” (Rev 20:10).

Eternal life can only be given once, or it isn’t eternal life, because it is life in God—“forever.” If one were asking God for eternal life, wouldn’t He know if they were being sincere? Thus, to honor His Word He gives it only to those He knows who genuinely desire it. How could He do otherwise, knowing their insincerity? It’s insensible to conceive that He would give this gift knowing He would be taking it back due to the absence of truly desiring it.

Regardless of how hard it may seem, in knowing that God foreknows most will choose the “broad way” (Mat 7:13, 14), we can be confidently assured that all He does is “good” (e.g. Gen 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31).
 

Episkopos

Well-Known Member
May 17, 2011
14,060
21,628
113
66
Montreal
Faith
Christian
Country
Canada
Eternal life has to do with two elements: being in God; and in an incorruptible physical body, termed a “spiritual body” (1Co 15:44, e.g. Luk 24:39). Thus the “resurrection” has solely to do with a new physical body, which all who come into this life will receive, the good and the evil (Jhn 5:28). All will be raised, some unto eternal life, and most unto eternal death (“second death” - Rev 2:11; 20:6, 14; 21:8); which the latter “shall be forever and ever” in “the lake of fire” (Rev 20:10).

Eternal life can only be given once, or it isn’t eternal life, because it is life in God—“forever.” If one were asking God for eternal life, wouldn’t He know if they were being sincere? Thus, to honor His Word He gives it only to those He knows who genuinely desire it. How could He do otherwise, knowing their insincerity? It’s insensible to conceive that He would give this gift knowing He would be taking it back due to the absence of truly desiring it.

Regardless of how hard it may seem, in knowing that God foreknows most will choose the “broad way” (Mat 7:13, 14), we can be confidently assured that all He does is “good” (e.g. Gen 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31).

Actually eternal life is a kind of life. The location of that life is IN Jesus Christ. It is His life. So we can experience that life for varying lengths of time or not at all. This idea of putting everything into the future is what is robbing the church of victory in the present.
 

Netchaplain

Ordained Chaplain
Oct 12, 2011
2,388
901
113
Missouri
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Actually eternal life is a kind of life.
True, and it's as you've indicated, that it is only from the Lord Jesus. All who are born into this life are eternal within our spirit and soul, an will also be eternal in an indestructible resurrected body (Jhn 5:28, 29), which will be either in heaven (eternal life) or the "lake of fire" (eternal death or second death which is also permanent).

The location of that life is IN Jesus Christ. It is His life. So we can experience that life for varying lengths of time or not at all.
Yes, it's as you've indicated, the Lord Jesus is the source of eternal life (Jhn 10:28), and believers are now "partakers of the (His) divine nature" (2Pe 1:4), which nature is our "new man" e.g., new nature because it is created after His nature ( Col 3:4). Concerning the possession of eternal life, it is never said to be temporal. Eternal life (being with God) is now and forever for believers, and eternal death (apart from God) is for unbelievers.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Helen

marks

Well-Known Member
Oct 10, 2018
37,310
24,335
113
SoCal USA
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Actually eternal life is a kind of life. The location of that life is IN Jesus Christ. It is His life. So we can experience that life for varying lengths of time or not at all. This idea of putting everything into the future is what is robbing the church of victory in the present.

I think the point is eternal life begins now.

"Part-Time" "Eternal Life" - now there's an interesting concept!

The victory is in knowing that we have passed from death into life, and there is no going back.

Much love!
Mark
 
  • Like
Reactions: Helen

marks

Well-Known Member
Oct 10, 2018
37,310
24,335
113
SoCal USA
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
True, and it's as you've indicated, that it is only from the Lord Jesus. All who are born into this life are eternal within our spirit and soul, an will also be eternal in an indestructible resurrected body (Jhn 5:28, 29), which will be either in heaven (eternal life) or the "lake of fire" (eternal death or second death which is also permanent).


Yes, it's as you've indicated, the Lord Jesus is the source of eternal life (Jhn 10:28), and believers are now "partakers of the (His) divine nature" (2Pe 1:4), which nature is our "new man" e.g., new nature because it is created after His nature ( Col 3:4). Concerning the possession of eternal life, it is never said to be temporal. Eternal life (being with God) is now and forever for believers, and eternal death (apart from God) is for unbelievers.

Hi NC,

Someone pointed out to me some time ago that we only die to sin one. Just like Jesus. It happens once, and if only once, then for all time.

Much love!
Mark
 
  • Like
Reactions: Helen

Netchaplain

Ordained Chaplain
Oct 12, 2011
2,388
901
113
Missouri
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Hi NC,

Someone pointed out to me some time ago that we only die to sin one. Just like Jesus. It happens once, and if only once, then for all time.

Much love!
Mark
Hi Mark, and always appreciate your encouraging replies! Amen to that--"once for all time" - NLT (Heb 10:10). This "destroys the Socinian notion of Christ's continual offering Himself in heaven; and confutes the error of the Popish mass, or of the offering of Christ's body in it" (repeatedly -NC) -John Gill.

Born once--die twice (natural death and eternal "second death."); born twice--die one (natural death).

God bless Brother!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Helen

farouk

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2009
30,788
19,235
113
North America
Hi Mark, and always appreciate your encouraging replies! Amen to that--"once for all time" - NLT (Heb 10:10). This "destroys the Socinian notion of Christ's continual offering Himself in heaven; and confutes the error of the Popish mass, or of the offering of Christ's body in it" (repeatedly -NC) -John Gill.

Born once--die twice (natural death and eternal "second death."); born twice--die one (natural death).

God bless Brother!
Hebrews chapters 9 and 10 are very clear indeed about the one, finished offering. :)
 

Helen

Well-Known Member
Oct 22, 2011
15,549
21,272
113
Faith
Christian
Country
Canada
Good word here :) ( as usual ) ✟