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A Look At Eternity – Bible study

A Look At Eternity – Bible study

In my fifty-plus years as a Christian, this writer has rarely heard anyone preach on the subject of eternity, nor have I read many bulletin articles on the subject. The reason being, is that the human finite mind just cant conceive of an existence that lasts forever with no end, and no beginning. How can we intelligently talk and write about a subject of which we have very little knowledge (cf. 2 Timothy 1:8-10; 1 Corinthians 15:53-54), and virtually have no experience of whatsoever? (cf. John 1:18; John 5:37; John 6:46).

What Is Our Life? James tells us that our life in this present time-based existence, is short in comparison with eternity (note the phrase little time in James 4:14). Peter writes, that in this time-based existence, our lives are similar to the grass that withers and the flower that falls away our physical existence in this time-based realm is indeed short in comparison to eternity (1 Peter 1:24). Peter also tells us that time is of no consequence to the eternal God (2 Peter 3:8; cf. Psalm 90:4), the One who is from everlasting to everlasting (Psalm 41:13; Psalm 106:48). He lives and operates in an eternal realm not based on time. As human beings in a time-based environment, can we really comprehend this fact?

The Eternal Nature Of God We see the eternal nature of God in Christ, when our Lord, being a young man at the time, told the Jews that He knew Abraham in John 8:58. He told them, Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM. They couldnt believe what He was saying they couldnt grasp the concept of Christ being an eternal Being, nor could they grasp the concept of eternity either, so their last resort was to stone the Lord (John 8:59) out of sight, out of mind.

Some Logical Conclusions Relative To Eternity Looking at the above Scriptures and thoughts, what logical conclusions can we come to, relative to eternity?

  • That God has created a short-term environment here on earth, based on time separate and apart from eternity a testing ground for man (read the book of Job 1-42), designed to prepare him for that eternal realm of existence with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; cf. John 14:1-3; 2 Corinthians 5:1-8; Philippians 1:22-23).
  • That man has an eternal soul (Genesis 2:7; 1 Corinthians 15:45; cf. Matthew 10:28) all of mankind being destined to leave this fleshly time-based environment (Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 AMP; Hebrews 9:27), and put on immortality, not subject to physical death and decay (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:1; 1 Corinthians 15:53-54; cf. 2 Peter 1:13-14).
  • That God has provided man with free will the ability to choose where to spend his eternal existence (Deuteronomy 30:19; cf. Joshua 24:15) either in a prepared place called heaven (1 Peter 1:3-4), or a prepared place where “everlasting fire” exists (cf. Matthew 25:41,46; John 14:1-3 – note the words prepared/prepare).
  • That because of sin, and mans propensity to sin (1 John 3:4; Romans 3:23), God has provided the way [Jesus] (John 14:6; cf. Hebrews 9:7-15), and the means [Jesus blood] (cf. Matthew 26:28; Acts 2:38 – note the phrase, remission of sins in these verses), by which man does not have to spend his eternal existence in hell (Revelation 21:8; cf. Revelation 20:13-15), but in the eternal realm with God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit (Revelation 21:1-7; Revelation 22).

A Question We Must Ask Ourselves The question we must ask ourselves as finite beings is, Am I ready and prepared to dwell in that eternal realm that will never end? (compare Matthew 25:1-10 with Luke 12:41-47 and note the words ready and prepared). If we are yet not ready and prepared to live in that eternal realm of existence with the Lord, we had best be getting our [spiritual] house in order (cf. 2 Kings 20:1; Isaiah 38:1). In order to do that, we must first deny ourselves of the worlds allurements (Matthew 16:24-27; Romans 12:1-2; cf. 1 John 2:15-17), and then be willing to comply with Gods salvation plan requirements, faithfully living our lives for Christ (Gal. 2:20; 1 Peter 2:20-21; 1 John 2:1-6), even in the face of impending death (Revelation 2:10; cf. Hebrews 11:24-40).

Conclusion:

Friends, let us today consider our spiritual condition (Luke 15:17), and then render appropriate obedience to our Lord and Savior while we are still living in our time-based environment here on earth still able to choose life (Deuteronomy 30:19). Remember that once we experience physical death (Hebrews 9:27), our eternal destiny will be forever sealed there will be no changing of the mind once the door [of opportunity] – Revelation 3:20-22 is shut (cf. Matthew 25:10; Luke 16:19-31).

Lets not continue to resist the Spirit and saints call to Come . And take the water of [eternal] life freely (Revelation 22:17; cf. Revelation 22:1; Psalm 36:7-8; Psalm 46:4-5). Wouldnt we rather enter into eternity to be in the presence of God to forever live with Him (Ecclesiastes 12:7; 1 John 3:2; cf. Matthew 5:8; Psalm 16:11), than experience an eternal existence of pain, sorrow, suffering, and remorse? (Luke 16:22-28). Through a study of the above Scriptures relative to eternity (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV; Acts 17:11 KJV), our choice of where we want to spend that eternity should be crystal clear (Deuteronomy 30:19; 2 Corinthians 6:1-2).

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound! That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see. When weve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, Weve no less days to sing Gods praise, Than when we first begun. John Newton

Related Articles:

  • What Is Your Life?
  • “One Second From Now”
  • The Soul’s Anchor Is the Hope of Heaven
  • Be Confident of Your Salvation – Studies in 1 John (1)
  • Be Confident of Your Salvation – Studies in 1 John (2)
  • Follow Christ or Go to Hell
  • The Doctrine of Eternal Punishment
  • The Eternality of Hell (1)
  • The Eternality of Hell (2)