Eternity

Our knowledge of eternity is fairly limited. God has deemed not to reveal a great deal. The full nature of what it will be is beyond our comprehension. We do know that it will be wonderful and glorious.

Eternity is the final state for the believer. Eternity will usher in an entirely new way of existence for God will destroy our existing universe and create an entirely new one with new properties. It will be a state of existence which knows no decay, sorry, or futility. All will be alive!

Eternity will began at the end of the one thousand year Millennial rule of Christ after God has defeated a final rebellion led by Satan of all who oppose him. Eternity is a new beginning for all of God's creation who love him as God will create an entirely new universe. We cannot conceived how it will operate but it will certainly have new physical properties and laws. To enjoy it, believers will have resurrection bodies like Christ which are equipped to live for eternity. The Scriptures which describe eternity are Isaiah 65.17; 66.22-24; 2 Peter 3.10-13, and Revelation 21-22. Regarding some of what eternity entails, Paul wrote,

"but just as it is written, 'THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND WHICH HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM'" (1 Cor. 2.9).

The following are the main characteristics of Eternity:

God will rule forever. Those who have trusted in him will share in this rule (Rev. 22.5).

The problem of evil will have been solved. Satan has been incarcerated for eternity in the Lake of Fire along with all who chose to reject and rebel against Christ. Once eternity begins God's judgment will have concluded. The Scriptures give no intimation of the possibility of further rebellion against God. God will rule in peace, harmony, and love. Mankind will enjoy perfect security and war will be an impossibility (Rev. 21.24-27).

All believers will bow down and worship the Lord (Is. 66.23).

Those who have not trusted Christ will be an abhorrence forever to those who have trusted in Christ (Is. 66.24). This is one of the most sobering verses in all the Scriptures.

Death has ceased. All who are alive at the end of the Great White Throne judgment will live forever with God. Sorrow and sickness have ceased also (Rev. 21.4).

The New Jerusalem will descend from heaven and reside upon the new earth. It is a massive city complex of indescribable beauty. This immense city measures 1500 miles on each side and 1500 miles high (Rev. 21.10-27). Clearly, the new earth will have to be substantially larger to support such a megapolis.

The Temple has vanished. The Temple was a shadow of the reality of the throne complex of God in heaven. It will no longer exist because the throne room of God itself has replaced it. Reality will replace shadow. The throne room of God in heaven abides in the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21.22).

The New Jerusalem will have no need of an external light source such as the sun or moon. It is illuminated by the glory of God. Night no longer exists (Rev. 21.23-25; 22.5).

The tree of life, unseen since Eden, is restored (Rev. 22.2)

tw~| a)gapw~nti h(ma~j kai\ lu/santi h(ma~j e)k tw~n a(martiw~n h(mw~n e)n tw|~ a(i/mati au)tou~.

Updated November 04, 2004