Contents
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Dwight Waterhouse is the compiler of this information. Please feel free to send your comments and questions. David Waterhouse is the Webmaster. You can reach both of us at the same E mail
- III. Man’s Nature (cont.)
- B. What Does The Bible Say About Eternal Life?
- 1. Does Anyone Have Eternal Life Now?
- 1 Timothy 6:
- 13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
- 15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
- 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.
- 1 Timothy 1:
- 17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
- NOTE:
- This is the only text in the Bible that uses the word immortal.
- Revelation 1:
- 8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
- Revelation 1:
- 18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
- Romans 1:
- 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
- Isaiah 57:
- 15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
- Deuteronomy 32:
- 39 See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.
- 40 For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever.
- John 5:
- 26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
- 1 John 5:
- 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
- 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.
- NOTE:
- It is clear from the scriptures above that God is the only one who has eternal life now, but it also says, God has “given to us eternal life.” (see 1 Timothy 6:16 and 1 John 5:11 above)
- The last part of 1 John 5:11 gives us the clue we need. It says “this life is in his Son.”
- When an estate is left for someone that is not of age, the estate is held in trust until that person becomes of age. The estate legally belongs to the person but they can’t control or possess it until they come of age. This is the same way with eternal life, it is ours but we don’t receive it until the “last trump” at His coming. (see 1 Corinthians 15:51-54)
- 2. Is Eternal Life Conditional?
- 1 John 5:
- 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
- 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.
- John 3:
- 36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
- John 3:
- 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
- 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
- John 5:
- 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
- 40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
- John 10:
- 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
- John 14:
- 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
- 1 Corinthians 15:
- 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
- 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
- 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
- 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
- 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
- NOTE:
- God sending His Son was a condition to eternal life. If Christ had not come, died, and risen again, we would all perish in sin.
- John 11:
- 25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
- 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
- John 6:
- 47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
- 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
- 54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
- 57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
- Hebrews 5:
- 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
- Matthew 19:
- 16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
- 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
- 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
- 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
- 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
- 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
- Revelation 22:
- 14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
- Mark 10:
- 17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
- 18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
- 19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
- 20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
- 21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
- Luke 18:
- 18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
- 19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.
- 20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
- 21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.
- 22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
- Luke 10:
- 25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
- 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
- 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.
- 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
- John 17:
- 1 THESE words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
- 2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
- Romans 2:
- 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
- 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life:
- Genesis 3:
- 22 And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
- 23 Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.
- 24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
- NOTE:
- If man had been created with a soul that couldn’t die; would it have done God any good to keep man from the “tree of life,” and would God need to “give eternal life” to us at the “last trump”? (see John 17:1,2 and 1 Corinthians 15:52,53)
- 1 John 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.
- Romans 8:
- 6 For to be carnally minded is death: but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
- 3. What Attitude Should Man Have Towards Eternal Life?
- Romans 2:
- 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life:
- Titus 1:
- 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
- Titus 3:
- 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
- 1 Timothy 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.
- 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
- Jude 1:
- 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
- 1 Corinthians 15:
- 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
- Matthew 19:
- 16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
- 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
- Mark 10:
- 17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
- 21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
- Luke 18:
- 18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
- 22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
- NOTE:
- Immortality is not something that we just naturally have but something for which we “seek for,” “hope” for, “lay hold on,” look for, to “put on,” and be willing to give up all for.
- Revelation 22:
- 14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
- Matthew 19:
- 16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
- 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
- Mark 10:17-21 and Luke 18:18-22 (same as text above)
- Luke 10:
- 25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
- 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.
- 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
- Romans 2:
- 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life:
- Hebrews 5:
- 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
- NOTE:
- These texts make it very clear that eternal life is not something we naturally possess but is something that we must qualify for by choosing Christ and living according to His will.
Continue Chapter
Dwight Waterhouse is the compiler of this information. Please feel free to send your comments and questions. David Waterhouse is the Webmaster. You can reach both of us at the same E mail