What is Eternal Life?

Summary

This video explores the biblical concept of eternal life, emphasizing that it's not just life after death but a present reality accessible through Jesus. The phrase 'life unto the age' refers to a life connected to God's eternal essence, transcending mortality. The script explains that while humanity lives in the 'age of death,' Jesus bridges the gap between the age of mortality and the age of eternal life. By trusting in Him, individuals can experience eternal life now and beyond death, ultimately leading to a future where death is overcome by God's eternal life and love.

Takeaways

• 😀 Eternal life in the Bible is not just about life after death, but also about a present experience of God's life.
• 😀 The phrase 'eternal life' literally translates to 'life unto the age' in Hebrew, signifying a life that is connected to a specific period or age.
• 😀 An 'age' in the Bible refers to a period of time defined by a common attribute, and this can span from the past to the future.
• 😀 Human beings were initially offered eternal life through the tree of life in the Garden of Eden, which would have connected them to God's divine life.
• 😀 Instead of accepting God's offer, humanity chose to seize life on their own terms by eating from the tree of knowledge, leading to their exile from 'life unto the age'.
• 😀 The Bible presents a choice between two ages: the age of life connected to God or the age of death caused by human rebellion and sin.
• 😀 Jesus represents the intersection of these two ages, living both in the age of mortality and in the age of eternal life at the same time.
• 😀 Through his death and resurrection, Jesus offers access to eternal life, bridging the age of death with the age of God's life.
• 😀 Eternal life in the Bible is not just a future promise, but something believers can experience in the present through their relationship with Jesus.
• 😀 While believers still live in the age of death, they can experience God's eternal life here and now, with the promise of future resurrection and life without death's power.

Q & A

What does the phrase 'eternal life' mean in the Bible?

In the Bible, 'eternal life' is translated from the Hebrew phrase 'life unto the age,' which refers to a life connected to God's divine existence, offering infinite potential and continuity beyond death.

What is the significance of the word 'age' in the Bible?

The Hebrew word for 'age' is 'olam,' and it refers to a period of time with a common, unchanging characteristic. This period could be past, present, or future, and different 'ages' can overlap depending on their focus.

What is an example of an 'age' in biblical terms?

An example is the time of Abraham and his descendants, which is a specific age defined by the common attribute of being Moses' ancestors. Another example is Samuel's life, which is referred to as an 'age' during his dedication to serving in the temple.

How does the Bible contrast the age of life with the age of death?

The Bible contrasts the age of life, where humanity is connected to God's divine life, with the age of death, which is marked by mortal existence, sin, and separation from God. These two 'ages' represent different ways of living.

What does the tree of life represent in the biblical story?

The tree of life represents access to 'life unto the age,' a life of infinite potential, connected to God's divine life. It is an invitation to live in harmony with God's wisdom and eternal existence.

Why did humanity leave the age of life and enter the age of death?

Humanity chose to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, seeking life on their own terms apart from God's wisdom. This act led to their exile from the tree of life and entry into the age of death, where mortality and sin take hold.

What role does Jesus play in the biblical story of life and death?

Jesus is presented as God's life become human, embodying both the age of mortality and death, and the age of eternal life. His life, death, and resurrection provide a way for humanity to reconnect with God's eternal life.

How does Jesus offer eternal life to others?

Through his death and resurrection, Jesus overcomes death and offers eternal life to those who trust in him. This eternal life is described in the Gospel of John as knowing God and Jesus Christ, offering access to God's divine life.

Is eternal life only experienced after death according to the Bible?

No, in the Bible, eternal life is something that can be experienced here and now, through faith in Jesus. Believers live in the overlap between the age of mortality and the age of God's eternal life.

What happens after physical death for those who have eternal life in Christ?

Even after physical death, those with eternal life in Christ remain alive to God. This state is described as 'being with Christ.' The focus of the Bible, however, is on the ultimate victory of life over death, when the age of life fully overcomes the age of death, and believers are re-created to share in God's eternal life.