Everlasting Life a clue to Everlasting Punishment

[saintwalee]

Probably the most know verse of the Bible:

John 3:16  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.

This verse would also show that everlasting life is only available to believers, thus confirming that unbelievers wouldn't be saved, or have everlasting life.

And then we can look at Matthew for everlasting punishment.

Mat 25:46  And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

This verse in Matthew would seem to verify that assumption of John 3:16, that the unbelievers would have everlasting punishment.

Although their are many things that can be said about these two verses, I would like to present just one idea, that of everlasting life.

Most of the time, when we thing of everlasting life or everlasting punishment, it will be forever, or for eternity. But if we consider any of these terms; everlasting, forever or eternal, we mostly thing in terms of going forward! But if we consider the general idea of eternity a bit further, eternity actually goes in three directions; past, present and future.

So if we take another look at John 3:16, we would have to conclude that believers would receive an eternal life that has the substance of eternal past, present and eternal future! But yet, I don't think any Christian would say that as a believer, he would think that he would be there at the creation of the heavens and earth, or even before that. We typically only think of eternal life as from the perspective of the present into an eternal future.

This, therefore, is a great clue of what everlasting, or eternal is really talking about, both in everlasting life and everlasting punishment.

God is eternal. Jesus said that He and the Father were One. He also said that He was the Way, the Truth and the Life. So that when one believes, as John 3:16 states, he has eternal life; he has God, or Emanuel (God with Us)!

Likewise with the everlasting punishment. This punishment as stated elsewhere is everlasting fire, which is the everlasting purifying truth and righteousness of God. But this fire is personal as well as prophetic, when Jesus returns to earth and will burn the earth with fire.
1Co 3:15  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

An example of what I am trying to explain would be this: If I have a pool in my yard and invited a friend over, I could say, lets go swimming in my everlasting pool. For the pool was here before my friend came over, it is here while my friend visits, and will be there after my friend leaves. So even though we swam for a little while in it, the pool was everlasting (in the sense of being there before, during and after).

But then I would have to ask, is the everlasting life temporary as well, seeing that the everlasting fire (punishment) would only do its work until it has purged our ungodliness? No, because the Everlasting Life is the goal, or the destination. Going through the Fire of purification would be part of the journey to our Everlasting Life. Even though that through belief we receive Eternal Life, we have to go to it, so to speak. Jesus said,
Joh_14:2  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. Joh_14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.


I find that I understand things in my mind, but sometimes they are so difficult to explain. Anyway, I hope that which I share may be beneficial in some way to our understanding of our Glorious, Loving God and his Kingdom.

Please share any thoughts.  :dsunny:

[ed]

I enjoyed your post.

so much of the doctrine of Christianity is focused on a life in a future age.  There is a fear that the life in that age will be either treachery or bliss.  Out of fear they claim the name of Jesus.

Every lasting is the plural of age.  In the age that now is there is the life.  In the age that was, there was the same life.  If the gospel is that Jesus Christ showed that the future is secure, we can get to living that life in this age and let the future take care of itself...........Jesus showed that it is secured.  Bought and paid for.

To many Christians this is a dangerous teaching because it means that you can just sin all you want and still "go to heaven".  Of course the focus in is wrong.  The sin not for the wrong reason.  The fearful do not abide in heaven.

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[micah7:9]

I, imo, find any attempt to explain what the Bible teaches by using words that theology and religion have incorrectly established such as "everlasting" "eternity" (G166 and H5769) or for ever (G165 H5769)) is useless for a believer.

"Most of the time, when we thing of everlasting life or everlasting punishment, it will be forever, or for eternity."
What does the Bible say of "eternity"? :Peace2:

[saintwalee]

Isa 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.

[micah7:9]

Yep, that's it there ain't no more. :dsunny: