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.
Related doctrines
Passages expressing this theme
- 1John 1:2 — (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
- 1John 2:17 — And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
- 1John 2:25 — And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
- 1John 3:2 — Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
- 1John 3:14 — We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
- 1John 4:9 — In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
- 1John 5:11 — And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
- 1John 5:13 — 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.
- 1John 5:20 — And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and
- 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.
- 1Tim 6:16 — Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
- 1Tim 6:19 — Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
- 2Cor 5:8 — We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
- 2Thess 2:16 — Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
- 2Tim 1:10 — But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
- 2Tim 2:10 — Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
- Acts 11:18 — When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
- 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.
- Col 3:3 — For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
- Col 3:4 — When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
- 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.
- Dan 12:3 — And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
- Eccl 12:7 — Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
- Eph 2:1 — And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
The Church Fathers on Eternal Life
Seek immortality, He will give life everlasting, joy, peace, rest, and abundance of good things, which neither hath eye seen, nor ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive.
Now the life that is really and truly life is God the Father, the fount of life, who pours out his heavenly gifts upon all his creatures through the Son and in the Holy Spirit, and the blessings of eternal life are faithfully promised even to us men, through his love for us. There must be no incredulity about the…
Our life is hidden until the blessing of eternal life shall be revealed to all, when the glory of Christ shall appear in his second coming. .
And He says that He gives to those that follow Him as a recompense and reward, eternal life and exemption from death, or corruption, and from the torments that will be brought upon the transgressors by the Judge. And by the fact of His giving life, He shews that He is in His Nature Life, and that He furnishes this…
Here he says believers live; they never die. Their bodies die but are brought back to life again.
Christ's promise is that we shall receive a hundred times over in this life, and eternal life in the next.