Posted on 07/26/2012 3:15:35 PM PDT by NYer
Beautiful!
I think we understand life. Can you explain eternal? Is it time based?
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.
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.
From "To the Virgins to make much of time" by Robert Herrick.
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.
Great insight.
Great insight.
God has a timeline unlike ours. A thousand years to him could be like a drop of water.
Eternal life is not a what, it is a Who.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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. :-)
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.
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