by Barbara Stanley

Created on: September 02, 2009   Last Updated: September 16, 2009

What does it mean to live for eternity? What will we be doing for all eternity? Why should we desire to live and never die? In the King James Version of the Holy Bible, in Saint John 3:16, we read, "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 one scripture in the bible is arguably the most well-known and memorized scripture. We are promised eternal life if we believe that Christ came to earth to bear our sins and die on a wooden cross as payment in full for our redemption. We believe in Christ, now we wait. What are we waiting for?

Saint John12:26 tells us, "If any man serve me, let him follow me: and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor." Jesus explained that, for believers, they will live with Him and be honored by His Father. How will the Creator honor believers? In the eighth chapter of the book of Romans, we are told we will be joint heirs with Christ. We will reign and rule along with the King as part of the royal family. How special is this to believers? "For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" Hebrews 1:5, 13-14. The angels will minister to us as they do to Jesus. All that the Son has will be made available to all believers.

Hardly anyone would hope to live in the present world under ever deteriorating conditions. In fact, the thought of living forever, without end, enduring pain, sorrow, hardship, and heartbreak would not sound very much like a reward. God tells us there will be a new heaven and a new Earth where these things will have no part. God will be the source of all power and all things good. We hope for an eternal life without the fear of losing a job, losing a child, or losing our home to foreclosure. Our hope of eternal life is one without pain, sorrow, or heartbreak. We hope to live forever without depression, horrible accidents, starvation, or homelessness. Our hope is in the promises made by Jesus when He walked among us.

Each of us is well acquainted with the meaning of hope. We hope to provide a better life for our children. We hope for a promotion

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