The hope of resurrection, communion with God, and the promised New Heavens and New Earth
Eternal life (zoe aionios in Greek) in Holy Scripture is not merely an endless extension of chronological time; it is a radically new quality of life, the uncorrupted life of the Age to Come inaugurated in the present through faith in Jesus Christ.
Eternal life (zoe aionios in Greek) in Holy Scripture is not merely an endless extension of chronological time; it is a radically new quality of life, the uncorrupted life of the Age to Come inaugurated in the present through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus defined eternal life in His High Priestly prayer: And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent (John 17:3). Eternal life is intimate, unbroken, joyful communion with the Triune God that begins the moment a sinner believes and stretches on into eternity.
The hope of eternal life is rooted in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. In 1 Corinthians 15, the Apostle Paul argues that if Christ is not raised, our faith is futile and we are still in our sins. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep! Because Jesus lives, all who are united to Him by faith will also experience bodily resurrection, their perishable bodies raised in imperishable glory, power, and immortality. Death, the last enemy, has been swallowed up in victory.
The ultimate destination of redeemed humanity is not a disembodied, ghostly existence on clouds, but the cosmic restoration of all things: the New Heavens and the New Earth (Revelation 21-22). God will bring heaven down to earth, dwelling intimately with His people. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore. Believers are summoned to set their minds on things above, where Christ is seated, eagerly awaiting our blessed hope.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"
"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."
"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?"
"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself."
Scholarly theological answers and biblical context addressing common questions on this topic.
Continue your study with these interconnected themes and scripture passages.
Justification by grace through faith, regeneration, adoption, and the triumph of the Cross
spiritual growthLiving hope, the anchor of the soul, and patient anticipation of God's glory
doctrineUnmerited favor, sovereign election, and the transforming power of Christ's cross
spiritual growthThe nature of saving faith, believing without seeing, and walking by faith and not by sight
emotionsThe fullness of shalom, reconciliation with God, and soul tranquility in Christ
