by Pamela Ashton

Created on: September 04, 2009   Last Updated: September 12, 2009

In scriptural teachings we read the story of a certain ruler who came to Christ asking what he needed to do to gain eternal life. In response to his inquiry the Lord told the man he had yet to sell all his earthly possessions and give to the poor. The man went away grieved, for he had great possessions.1 James E. Talmage makes the insightful statement, Love of worldly things was this man's besetting weakness; Jesus diagnosed his case and prescribed a suitable remedy. He continues, We are not warranted in saying that the same treatment would be best in all cases of spiritual defection. . . Willingness to place the kingdom of God above all material possessions was the one thing [this rich man] lacked. Every one of us may pertinently ask, 'What do I lack?' 2

What is the hope we have of eternal life that we should desire it as this rich man from scripture did. The ancients before the time of Christ held out a hope of eternal life. In Daniel 12:2 we read, And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. We also find in Romans , . . .the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds; To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life.3

This suggests that those who follow the Gospel's guiding principles move on to live in a realm where there is no longer sin or corrupting influences while those who have chosen in this life to be ruled by sin will be in a place apart. We will dwell in an immortal continuance of our lives, having been raised from death. Why should it be thought a thing incredible unto you, that God should raise the dead?4

By overcoming Satan's influence in mortality, we may hope of being eternally with God and dwelling in His light.5 We are His children.6 Through obedience to His gospel we may eternally be His children.7

Through scripture a loving God gives us keys to unlock the gates of Heaven. One prescription for the maladies that beset us in this world, threatening to dash our hope of redemption and eternal life, is found in the second epistle of Peter. Peter was writing to the Christians in what is now called Asia Minor. They were being terrorized into denying the Lord.8 Peter offered them hope and encouragement, and in 2 Peter 1, verses 2 through 11, gave instruction on what must be done to escape the corruption that is in the world (vs. 4), and secure an entrance

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