BEREAN.AI ← Ask a Question

Living With Eternity And Christ's Return In Mind

Living with eternity and Christ's return in mind involves a Christian's understanding of eternal life, the resurrection of the body, and the ongoing spiritual union with Christ. This perspective shapes daily conduct and provides comfort and hope for the future [1, 14].

Eternal life, a concept found in both the Old and New Testaments, signifies the whole future of the redeemed and is contrasted with eternal punishment [1]. Daniel 12:2 refers to "everlasting life," and the New Testament frequently uses the expression, as seen in Matthew 7:14 and Luke 10:28 [1]. This life is the final reward and glory for God's children, a Sabbath of rest [1]. It is a newness of life derived from Christ [1]. John 17:3 states that to know God and Christ is eternal life, which is given by God through Christ to those who believe [5]. Christ himself is identified as eternal life (1 John 1:2; 5:20) [5]. Augustine of Hippo noted that the mystery of eternal life was announced through angels and foretold in the Hebrew republic through various signs and sacraments [10].

The doctrine of immortality, or perpetuity of existence, is taught in the Old Testament, implied in the writings of Moses (Genesis 5:22, 24) and more clearly in later books like Isaiah 14:9 and Psalm 73:24 [6]. With the advent of the gospel, this doctrine was "brought to light" (2 Timothy 1:10; 1 Corinthians 15) [6]. While ancient philosophers like Plato maintained the immortality of the soul, many did not assent to the resurrection of the body [12]. However, Christian theology emphasizes both the immortality of the soul and the resurrection of the body [12, 15]. Athanasius of Alexandria argued that if the soul can live a life outside the body even when coupled with it, its knowledge of immortality will be clearer when separated from the body [8].

The resurrection of the body is a core tenet, understood by the Christian world in all ages as the literal rising from the dead of the body deposited in the grave [15]. Charles Hodge emphasizes that Christians are taught to affirm belief in "The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting" [15]. The resurrection of Christ serves as the primary proof and pattern for the believer's future resurrection [12]. Calvin states that Christ rose again so that believers might be partakers with him [11]. Those who are alive at Christ's second coming and believe in him "shall never die, but shall be changed, and shall be for ever with Christ" [9]. Even those who die a corporeal death will have their souls live in happiness, and their bodies will be raised and become immortal [9].

Living with Christ's return in mind involves an expectation of being "caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air" (1 Thessalonians 4:17) [2]. This hope means that believers will "be with the Lord forever" [2]. The apostle Paul expresses a desire to be "at home with the Lord," even preferring dissolution by death to be with Christ in the intermediate disembodied state (2 Corinthians 5:8, Philippians 1:23) [16]. This perspective encourages a life where believers are "always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body" (2 Corinthians 4:10 KJV, NASB) [3, 4].

This union with Christ is central to living with an eternal perspective. It is described as Christ being in believers and believers being in Christ [7]. This union includes union with the Father and is maintained by faith, abiding in Christ, and obeying him [7]. The Holy Spirit witnesses to this union [7]. Calvin highlights that if one seeks the mercy and favor of God, they must turn to Christ, who is the fountain of life and the anchor of salvation [13]. The "godly consideration of Predestination, and our Election in Christ," according to the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, provides "sweet, pleasant, and unspeakable comfort" to those who feel the Spirit's work, drawing their minds to "high and heavenly things" and confirming their faith in eternal salvation [14]. This understanding of eternity and Christ's return is not merely a future hope but a present reality that shapes the believer's conduct and spiritual life [1, 14].

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Eternal life — This expression occurs in the Old Testament only in Dan. 12:2 (R.V., "everlasting life"). It occurs frequently in the New Testament (Matt. 7:14; 18:8, 9; Luke 10:28; comp. 18:18). It comprises the whole future of the redeemed (Luke 16:9), and is opposed to "eternal punishment" (Matt. 19:29; 25:46). It is the final reward and glory into which the children of God enter (1 Tim. 6:12, 19; Rom. 6:22; Gal. 6:8; 1 Tim. 1:16; Rom. 5:21); their Sabbath of rest (Heb. 4:9; comp. 12:22). The newness of life which the believer derives from Christ (Rom. 6:4) is the ”
  2. 1 Thessalonians “then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever. -- 1 Thessalonians 4:17”
  3. II Corinthians “II Corinthians 4:10 (KJV) — Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.”
  4. 2 Corinthians “2 Corinthians 4:10 (NASB) — always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Life, Eternal — Christ is -- 1Jo 1:2; 5:20. Revealed by Christ -- Joh 6:68; 2Ti 1:10. To know God and Christ is -- Joh 17:3. Given By God. -- Ps 133:3; Ro 6:23. By Christ. -- Joh 6:27; 10:28. In Christ. -- 1Jo 5:11. Through Christ. -- Ro 5:21; 6:23. To all given to Christ. -- Joh 17:2. To those who believe in God. -- Joh 5:24. To those who believe in Christ. -- Joh 3:15,16; 6:40,47. To those who hate life for Christ. -- Joh 12:25. In answer to prayer. -- Ps 21:4. Revealed in the Scriptures -- Joh 5:39. Results from Drinking the water of life. -- Joh 4:14. Eating the ”
  6. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Immortality — Perpetuity of existence. The doctrine of immortality is taught in the Old Testament. It is plainly implied in the writings of Moses (Gen. 5:22, 24; 25:8; 37:35; 47:9; 49:29, comp. Heb. 11:13-16; Ex. 3:6, comp. Matt. 22:23). It is more clearly and fully taught in the later books (Isa. 14:9; Ps. 17:15; 49:15; 73:24). It was thus a doctrine obviously well known to the Jews. With the full revelation of the gospel this doctrine was "brought to light" (2 Tim. 1:10; 1 Cor. 15; 2 Cor. 5:1-6; 1 Thess. 4:13-18).”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Union With Christ — As Head of the Church -- Eph 1:22,23; 4:15,16; Col 1:18. Christ prayed that all saints might have -- Joh 17:21,23. Described as Christ being in us. -- Eph 3:17; Col 1:27. Our being in Christ. -- 2Co 12:2; 1Jo 5:20. Includes union with the Father -- Joh 17:21; 1Jo 2:24. Is of God -- 1Co 1:30. Maintained by Faith. -- Ga 2:20; Eph 3:17. Abiding in him. -- Joh 15:4,7. His word abiding in us. -- Joh 15:7; 1Jo 2:24; 2Jo 1:9. Feeding on him. -- Joh 6:56. Obeying him. -- 1Jo 3:24. The Holy Spirit witnesses -- 1Jo 3:24. The gift of the Holy Spirit is an ev”
  8. CCEL (Patristic) “Athanasius of Alexandria, Select Works and Letters, section 79: and beholds things above the earth, and often even holds converse with the saints and angels who are above earthly and bodily existence, and approaches them in the confidence of the purity of its intelligence; shall it not all the more, when separated from the body at the time appointed by God Who coupled them together, have its knowledge of immortality more clear? For if even when coupled with the body it lived a life outside the body, much more shall its life continue after the death of the body, 22 and live without ceasing by r”
  9. John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 11:25: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me,..... Whoever will be found alive at Christ's second coming, and is a believer in him, shall never die, but shall be changed, and shall be for ever with Christ; and such as shall be raised to life by him, shall never die any more, not even a bodily death, and much less an eternal one, or the second death: and though believers die a corporeal death as others do, yet their souls live, and live in happiness, whilst their bodies are under the power of death; nor shall they always continue so, but being raised, shall become immorta”
  10. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 32.--THAT AT NO TIME IN THE PAST WAS THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST'S REDEMPTION AWANTING, BUT WAS AT ALL TIMES DECLARED, THOUGH IN VARIOUS FORMS.: This mystery of eternal life, even from the beginning of the human race, was, by certain signs and sacraments suitable to the times, announced through angels to those to whom it was meet. Then the Hebrew people was congregated into one republic, as it were, to 141 perform this mystery; and in that republic was foretold, sometimes through men who understood what they spake, and sometimes throug”
  11. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 80: power, but that the Spirit exerts the same efficacy in regard to them that believe; and accordingly he says, that the Spirit when he dwells in us is life, because the end for which he was given is to quicken our mortal body ( Rom. 8:10, 11 ; Col. 3:4 ). I briefly glance at subjects which might be treated more copiously, and deserve to be adorned more splendidly, and yet in the little I have said I trust pious readers will find sufficient materials for building up their faith. Christ rose again that he might have us as partakers wit”
  12. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 80: the philosophers maintained the immortality of the soul, few of them assented to the resurrection of the body. Although in this they were inexcusable, we are thereby reminded that the subject is too difficult for human apprehension to reach it. To enable faith to surmount the great difficulty, Scripture furnishes two auxiliary proofs, the one the likeness of Christ’s resurrection, and the other the omnipotence of God. Therefore, whenever the subject of the resurrection is considered, 2262 let us think of the case of our Savior, who”
  13. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 79: and to see him at rest, is to be at rest,” (Bernard, super Cantic. Serm. 14). 5. First, if we seek for the paternal mercy and favor of God, we must turn our eyes to Christ, in whom alone the Father is well pleased ( Mt. 3:17 ). When we seek for salvation, life, and a blessed immortality, to him also must we retake ourselves, since he alone is the fountain of life and the anchor of salvation, and the heir of the kingdom of heaven. Then what is the end of election, but just that, being adopted as sons by the heavenly Father, we may b”
  14. Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican) “Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican, 1571), Section 242: As the godly consideration of Predestination, and our Election in Christ, is full of sweet, pleasant, and unspeakable comfort to godly persons, and such as feel in themselves the working of the Spirit of Christ, mortifying the works of the flesh, and their earthly members, and drawing up their mind to high and heavenly things, as well because it doth greatly establish and confirm their faith of eternal Salvation to be enjoyed through Christ, as because it doth fervently kindle their love towards God: So, for curious and carnal per”
  15. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 81: the faith of the Church, we cannot err in following his example. The Bible is a plain book, and the whole Christian world, in all ages, has understood it to teach, not this or that, but the literal rising from the dead of the body deposited in the grave. All Christians of every denomination are taught to say, I believe in “The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting.” The Identity of the Future with our Present Body. There are two distinct questions to be here considered. First, Do the Scriptures teach ”
  16. 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 5:8: willing--literally, "well content." Translate also, "To go (literally, migrate) from our home in the body, and to come to our home with the Lord." We should prefer to be found alive at the Lord's coming, and to be clothed upon with our heavenly body (Co2 5:2-4). But feeling, as we do, the sojourn in the body to be a separation from our true home "with the Lord," we prefer even dissolution by death, so that in the intermediate disembodied state we may go to be "with the Lord" (Phi 1:23). "To be with Christ" (the disembodied state) is distinguished”
Ask Your Own Question
About Terms Privacy Contact

© 2026 BEREAN.AI. All rights reserved.