Anakalypsis / Unveiling the Word

Theme · eschatological

Eternal Life

The tree of life in Eden represents the life God intends for humanity — unbroken communion with himself. After the fall, the way to the tree is barred. Daniel promises that many who sleep in the dust will awake to everlasting life. Jesus makes eternal life central to his teaching: 'This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.' For John, eternal life is not merely future duration but a present quality of knowing God. Paul contrasts the wages of sin (death) with the gift of God (eternal life in Christ Jesus). Revelation ends with the tree of life restored, its leaves for the healing of the nations.

Passages expressing this theme

  • 1Tim 1:16 — Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
  • 1Tim 6:12 — Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
  • Acts 13:48 — And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
  • Dan 12:2 — And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
  • Gal 6:8 — For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
  • Jude 1:21 — Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
  • Matt 19:16 — And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
  • Matt 19:29 — And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting
  • Matt 25:46 — And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
  • Ps 16:11 — Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
  • Ps 21:4 — He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.
  • Ps 133:3 — As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
  • Rev 2:10 — Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and
  • Rom 2:7 — To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
  • Rom 5:21 — That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
  • Rom 6:22 — But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
  • Rom 6:23 — For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
  • Titus 1:2 — In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
  • Titus 3:7 — That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.