What Is Eternal Life?

Archdiocese of Washington ^ | July 25, 2012 | Msgr. Charles Pope

[NYer]

I often think we haven’t done a very good job in setting forth the doctrine of Eternal Life. For most people the concept seems a rather flat one, namely, that we shall live for ever and ever and ever…. And frankly for many such a concept seems rather unappealing even if the place of it is heaven. Heaven too is often poorly understood. It is reduced to a rather egocentric notion of a place where I will be happy. I’ll have a mansion, I’ll see my mother again, I won’t suffer…. But most moderns in their description never get around to mentioning God. If God is mentioned at all he’s down on the list somewhere, not at the top where he belongs. This is sad for the heart of heaven is to be with God!

Pope Benedict in his Encyclical Spe Salvi also ponders the problem of the poor understanding of eternal life:

Perhaps many people reject the faith today simply because they do not find the prospect of eternal life attractive. What they desire is not eternal life at all, but this present life, for which faith in eternal life seems something of an impediment. To continue living for ever —endlessly—appears more like a curse than a gift. Death, admittedly, one would wish to postpone for as long as possible. But to live always, without end—this, all things considered, can only be monotonous and ultimately unbearable….The term “eternal life” is intended to give a name to this known “unknown”. Inevitably it is an inadequate term that creates confusion. “Eternal”, in fact, suggests to us the idea of something interminable, and this frightens us; “life” makes us think of the life that we know and love and do not want to lose, even though very often it brings more toil than satisfaction, so that while on the one hand we desire it, on the other hand we do not want it. (Spe Salvi, 10, 12).

My own pondering and experience of the concept of eternal life is that ultimately eternal life is not about the length of life, it is about the fullness of life. To enter eternal life mean to become fully alive. For now we are not fully alive. We experience much of death in these lowly bodies of ours. However, most of us do get glimpses of eternal life and can experience aspects of it even now. For example, have you ever had a day when you had all the energy in the world. Not only did you feel energetic but your mind was sharp and your day was efficient and effective. Everything seemed to click and there was joy and contentment. Most of us have days like that from time to time but they don’t last. But it is a glimpse of what eternal life might be like multiplied by a factor of 10 Trillion.

Another experience I have of eternal life I hope you share too. At age 51 my body is not in prime condition. It is aging to be sure and death will one day come to it. But my soul is more alive than ever. I am more joyful, more serene, more confident, more prayerful, more content. Many sins that used to plague me are gone or greatly diminished. In effect, I am more alive at 51 than I was at 28. And wait to you see me at 68 and 88! As I get older I become more alive. What I am saying is that eternal life doesn’t just begin after we die. It begins now and should grow in us more and more. It’s fulfillment will only be heaven but I am witness (and hope you are too) that eternal life has already set deep roots in me.

So again, the main point here is that with eternal life the word “eternal” refers not so much to the length of life as to the fullness of life. To enter eternal life is to become fully alive with God forever, to experience untold joy, serenity and peace in an eternal embrace with God forever. And having our communion with God perfected we will also have our communion with one another perfected. Who really needs a mansion when you can live in the heart of God? That is our true dwelling place that the Father is preparing. It’s not about houses and seats of honor its about a place in the heart of the God who made us and loves us. It is to become fully alive and perfect as the Father is perfect.

Pope Benedict also has a very beautiful image of eternal life in Spe Salvi:

To imagine ourselves outside the temporality that imprisons us and in some way to sense that eternity is not an unending succession of days in the calendar, but something more like the supreme moment of satisfaction, in which totality embraces us and we embrace totality—this we can only attempt. It would be like plunging into the ocean of infinite love, a moment in which time—the before and after—no longer exists. We can only attempt to grasp the idea that such a moment is life in the full sense, a plunging ever anew into the vastness of being, in which we are simply overwhelmed with joy. This is how Jesus expresses it in Saint John’s Gospel: “I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you” (16:22). (Spe Salvi, 12)

In the following video Fr. Robert Barron makes an interesting point, one that I have made elsewhere in these pages, namely, that when the Church fails to teach her doctrine well or casts aside her traditions, the world often picks them up but distorts them. In this rather Halloweenesque video Fr. Barron notes that as we have struggled to present well the concept of eternal life the world has taken up the notion of those “who can never die” in the vampire craze. Obviously the fact that they live forever is a horrible curse to them and any biblical notion of eternal life is absent. They are merely the “un-dead.” When the Church drops the ball the world pick it up but flattens and distorts it.

[NYer]

My own pondering and experience of the concept of eternal life is that ultimately eternal life is not about the length of life, it is about the fullness of life.

Beautiful!

[DannyTN]

I think we understand life. Can you explain eternal? Is it time based?

[skeeter]

IMO eternal life is outside of time, as is God.

God knew us before we were born, knows our fate, is omnipotent & omnicient because he exists outside of the constraints of time. To God events down through history are as good as happening concurrently.

Anyway I'm still working on the theory.

[OldNavyVet]

Some advice.

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.

From "To the Virgins to make much of time" by Robert Herrick.

[rwa265]

The concept of Eternal Life is beyond the grasp of our limited human understanding. Singing the last verse of Amazing Grace completely overwhelms me.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.

I cannot even begin to understand this.

[richardtavor]

Great insight.

[richardtavor]

Great insight.

[Salvation]

God has a timeline unlike ours. A thousand years to him could be like a drop of water.

[wolfman]

Eternal life is not a what, it is a Who.

[nonsporting]

So again, the main point here is that with eternal life the word “eternal” refers not so much to the length of life as to the fullness of life.

No, "eternal" specifically is referrig to a time duration (for ever and ever), not a quality of life. Those that believe on the Lord Jesus Christ will never die, that is, they have "eternal life", they have passed from death unto life (John 5:24).

And it is "life" as opposed to "death". Those who physically die in their sins (not spiritual reborn) will stand before the great white throne of judgement (Revelation 20:11). After spending a 1000+ years in hell, they will be resurrected unto damnation (John 5:29). Only those who are [spiritually] dead will appear at this judgment. (See John 11:25 that we shall never die--he's referring to the new creature, the reborn spirit.) They (the spiritually dead) will be found guilty because they are depending upon their own works of righteousness to save them. They will be cast into the lake of fire, which the Bible calls the "second death." (Reverlation 20:15). They will be tormentd with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angles and in the presence of the Lamb (Jesus Christ). Nix any idea of hell being separation from God. He's right there and his presence is the source of the fire (1 Thess 2:9 -- the greek prep "apo" is source not separation). And the smoke of their torment will ascend up for ever and ever (Revelation 14:10,11).

So, here are the prospects: (1) eternal glory with God, or (2) eternal torment in the lake of fire whose fire is never quenched (Mark 9:44ff). We are all going to spend eternity somewhere and it rests entirely on whether we trust in the atoning work of Jesus Christ or on our own works of righteousness. It cannot be both. It's either one or the other.

Forever is a long time.

[the invisib1e hand]

when the Church fails to teach her doctrine well or casts aside her traditions, the world often picks them up but distorts them.

And does tremendous damage to mankind with them -- the antithesis of orthodoxy in the hands of the antichurch begets antilife -- aka the Culture of Death.

We really have nobody to hold accountable for this except ourselves.

[Maudeen]

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. Acts 16:31

If you died today, where will you spend eternity?

If you do not know for sure, please pray this prayer. You will be glad you did!

Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. But I believe that you died upon the cross for me. That you shed your precious blood for the forgiveness of my sins. I believe that on the third day, you rose from the dead, and went to Heaven to prepare a place for me. I accept you now as my Lord and Savior and my friend. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and set me free from my sins.

Because you are my Savior, Jesus, “I shall not die, but have everlasting life.”

Thank you Lord Jesus! Amen!

Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents. Luke 15:10

[editor-surveyor]

Time itself is a part of the material universe, that as Peter stated, will all come to an end with fervent heat and a loud noise.

[stars & stripes forever]

If you died today, where will you spend eternity?

A few years ago I led a close family member to the Lord. After he prayed the sinner's prayer he asked, "Is that all there is to it?"

Romans 10:9 states: that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

[editor-surveyor]

Eternal will be an escape from time.

Time was created when the physical universe was created. It will not exist when the physical universe is gone, but we will.

[stars & stripes forever]

It will not exist when the physical universe is gone, but we will

All the more we should tell our loved ones, friends, and neighbors about the plan of salvation. Our souls will either be in paradise with our Savior or in the place of torment with the weeping, wailing, and nashing of teeth. (Matthew 8:11-12)

[dinoparty]

How do you know “death” refers primarily to physical death as opposed to spiritual death? I’m not looking for an answer that recites dogma or the common understanding, but instead provides real evidence.

[Riley]

I don’t worry about it. Should I be so fortunate, I’ll be working for a truly just governor; authority completely worthy of all of my respect- and I’m sure He has something terrific lined up. I’ll leave worrying about just what it is up to Him.

I don’t want a mansion. It’s more than I need and certainly more than I deserve. After this life, I’d be ashamed to accept one. I sort of imagine myself living in a yurt with a lantern, some books and a couple of old animal friends and shoveling the stables all day. For some reason that image keeps coming back to me.

Well, it’s honest work, and the neighborhood can’t be beat.

I just hope I can get the answers to a LOT of questions. :-)

[ex-snook]

Jesus in his own prayer [John 17] “Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.”

Timeless eternity knowing God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. May God bless us so. Thank God.