Understanding Eternal Life in the Bible

Introduction to Eternal Life

• Jesus offers eternal life, a phrase derived from Hebrew scriptures.
• Translated as "eternal life" or "everlasting life"; literally means "life unto the age."

Concept of Age in the Bible

• Hebrew Word: Olam, meaning a period of time.
• Characteristics: Can refer to any length of time in the past or future, defined by a common attribute.
• Examples of Ages:
  • Age of Abraham to Moses: defined by Moses' ancestors.
  • Age of Samuel: dedicated to serving in the temple.
• Overlap of Ages:
  • Individuals can exist in two ages simultaneously if they overlap.

Life Unto the Age

• Initial Human Creation:
  • Humans created from dust, mortal beings.
  • Placed in a sacred garden to access a deeper life by eating from the tree of life.
  • This tree offers life unto the age, connecting humanity to God's divine life.
• The Fall:
  • Instead of choosing life, humanity eats from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, rejecting divine wisdom.
  • Resulted in exile from life unto the age, entering the age of death, leading to violence and moral decay.

The Choice Between Two Ages

• Two Ages Defined:
  1. Age of life on human terms (leading to death).
  2. Age of God's life (promised renewal).
• God's Promise:
  • Despite humanity's rejection, God promises a path back to life.

Jesus and the Overlapping Ages

• Jesus' Role:
  • Presented as God's life in human form.
  • Exists in both the age of mortality and the age of eternal life simultaneously.
• Offer of Life Unto the Age:
  • John 17:3 defines eternal life as knowing the one true God and Jesus Christ.
• Rejection of Jesus:
  • Similar to the garden, Jesus was rejected and put to death, but his life overcomes death.
  • Resurrected Jesus offers access to eternal life to others.
  • John 3:16 states that trusting in Jesus grants eternal life.

Experience of Eternal Life

• Current Access:
  • Eternal life is not just post-death; it can be experienced now for believers.
• Death and Life:
  • Death does not overpower God’s eternal life; believers remain alive to God even when physically dead.
  • This state is referred to as being "with Christ."

Conclusion: The Final Age

• Focus of the Biblical Story:
  • Not just on being with Christ after death but on the ultimate victory of life over death.
• Future Promise:
  • Those who share in God’s life will exist in a world where death has no power, living a life fully connected to God’s eternal love.