Key Aspects of Eternity
Eternity refers to the concept of timeless existence—something that is without beginning or end. In a spiritual or biblical sense, eternity is often used to describe the endless duration of life with God or without Him, after the physical death of the body.
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Eternal Life with God
- Eternity in a positive sense refers to the endless life with God for those who believe in Jesus Christ and follow His teachings.
- John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
- John 17:3 – “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”
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Eternal Separation from God
- On the other hand, eternity can also refer to eternal separation from God for those who reject Him, which is often referred to as hell or eternal punishment.
- Matthew 25:46 – “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
- 2 Thessalonians 1:9 – “They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.”
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Eternal Nature of God
- God Himself is eternal, meaning He has no beginning and no end. He exists outside of time and His nature is unchanging and eternal.
- Psalm 90:2 – “Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
- Revelation 1:8 – “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
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Eternal Perspective on Life
- The Bible encourages believers to live with an eternal perspective, considering that this life is temporary and that what we do on Earth has eternal significance.
- 2 Corinthians 4:18 – “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
- Colossians 3:2 – “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Eternity is an infinite and timeless existence that stretches far beyond the limitations of our earthly life. For believers in Christ, eternity represents eternal life with God, full of joy, peace, and purpose. For those who reject God, eternity signifies eternal separation from God in a state of punishment. This concept encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, focusing on things that will last forever and aligning our hearts with God's will.