[cuban leaf]

I see it as eternal in that it is an eternal condition.

I find myself, as we have these discussions, sometimes reflecting on the fate of Han Solo in that Star Wars movie where he is “frozen” in that metal contraption and hung on the wall as art. He had no sense of the passage of time and if he had not been saved, his fate would have gone on for a very, very long time.

I’ve gone into surgery twice and put completely under. What it proved to me is that we are aware of the passage of time when we sleep. It’s because it was different when I was put under. I was told to breathe deeply and, mid breath I found myself groggy and in the recovery room, three hours later.

I’ve used this analogy question: If I say I’m going to paint a fence blue for all eternity, do I mean I’m going to spend eternity painting the fence, or do I mean I’m going to paint it blue and it will STAY blue for all eternity.

I think this is what is meant in the bible when discussing the fate of the dead and why the saved are described as having eternal life. Both conditions will be eternal, but one involves life and the other doesn’t. And one of my biggest proofs is that this fits with the personality of my God which is abundantly exposed in nature, my prayer life, the miracles I’ve experienced and His word. And there is plenty of scripture in His word to back it up.

Interestingly, once I finally bothered to study the subject and come to this conclusion that all sources agree, my life was filled with peace that I never had before. God was way too contradictory before that. Too much just didn’t make any sense. And though His ways are above ours, he also teaches that he is not a God of confusion. I am confused no longer - at least on this subject.

[Genoa]

I have found that your illustration about general anesthesia also applies to the related discussion about the intermediate state (so called).

The majority of conditionalists accept not only the final annihilation of the lost, but also the complete unconsciousness of all who have died between the moment of their death and that of their resurrection. The unifying idea here is the genuine mortality of the human soul.

Many Christians are horrified at the idea of not being conscious in death. But if that is indeed what happens, then a dead person has no inkling of the passage of time between death and resurrection. Hundreds of years (or more) would seem like just a moment in their experience (like anesthesia).

Now, this belief does rob us of the idea that loved ones are currently in heaven being blessed, but it does help us to recognize the wonderful blessing that the resurrection of the redeemed will be when it happens. And the dead know nothing, plus we can trust God to remember all who are His!

Could it be that speculation about the intermediate state, which no one in the Bible has ever described to us, by the way, is precarious because there really isn't one?