Scriptural Descriptions of the Afterlife and Eternity

The biblical understanding of the afterlife and eternity encompasses both the blessed state of the righteous and the punitive state of the wicked, often using the same terminology to describe their unending duration. The concept of "eternal life" appears in the Old Testament in Daniel 12:2 and frequently in the New Testament, such as Matthew 7:14 and Luke 10:28 ^[1]. This "eternal life" is presented as the ultimate reward and glory for the redeemed, a "Sabbath of rest" (Hebrews 4:9) ^[1]. It is contrasted with "eternal punishment" or "eternal death," which describes the fate of the wicked ^{[1, 2]}.

The term "life" in Scripture can refer to physical existence (Genesis 2:7), immortality (Hebrews 7:16), conduct (Romans 6:4), or spiritual salvation (John 3:16) ^[3]. When referring to eternal life, it signifies a spiritual life or salvation that believers receive through Christ ^{[3, 5]}. Jesus is identified as the source and embodiment of this eternal life (1 John 1:2; 5:20) ^[5]. Knowing God and Christ is equated with eternal life (John 17:3), which is given by God through Christ to those who believe ^[5]. The apostle John emphasizes that "God hath given unto us eternal life, and this life is in that his Son" (1 John 5:11, Geneva 1599) ^[7]. This gift is a matter of God's sovereign good will and pleasure ^[14].

The doctrine of immortality, or perpetuity of existence, is taught in the Old Testament, implied in the writings of Moses (e.g., Genesis 5:22, 24) and more explicitly in later books like Isaiah 14:9 and Psalm 73:24 ^[4]. The New Testament brings this doctrine "to light" more fully, particularly in passages like 2 Timothy 1:10 and 1 Corinthians 15 ^[4]. For believers, the Holy Spirit serves as God's guarantee of future blessings and a foretaste of this eternal life and power ^[10]. The "long life" promised in the Old Testament (e.g., Psalm 91:16, Proverbs 3:2) often signified God's blessing and a life of usefulness and comfort, but it also pointed toward the eternal life offered in the Gospel ^{[9, 11, 13]}.

Conversely, "eternal death" describes the miserable fate of the wicked in hell (Matthew 25:46; Mark 3:29) ^[2]. The Scriptures teach that the penal sufferings of the lost are of unending duration, just as the life of the righteous is unending ^[2]. The same Greek words (aion, aionios, aidios) are used in the New Testament to describe the eternal existence of God (1 Timothy 1:17), Christ (Revelation 1:18), and the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 9:14), as well as the eternal duration of the sufferings of the lost (Matthew 25:46) ^[2]. This linguistic consistency underscores the unending nature of both eternal life and eternal punishment.

The concept of "everlasting" is applied to God (Genesis 21:33) and also to other things like "everlasting hills" (Genesis 49:26) or an "everlasting priesthood" (Exodus 40:15) ^[6]. However, when applied to the afterlife, it denotes an existence without end. The sufferings experienced in this earthly life are considered momentary when compared to the glorious eternity believers will spend with God (1 Peter 5:10) ^[12]. The promise of eternal life is the permanent consummation of abiding in the Son and in the Father ^[8].

Sources

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 ”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Eternal death — The miserable fate of the wicked in hell (Matt. 25:46; Mark 3:29; Heb. 6:2; 2 Thess. 1:9; Matt. 18:8; 25:41; Jude 1:7). The Scripture as clearly teaches the unending duration of the penal sufferings of the lost as the "everlasting life," the "eternal life" of the righteous. The same Greek words in the New Testament (aion, aionios, aidios) are used to express (1) the eternal existence of God (1 Tim. 1:17; Rom. 1:20; 16:26); (2) of Christ (Rev. 1:18); (3) of the Holy Ghost (Heb. 9:14); and (4) the eternal duration of the sufferings of the lost (Matt. 25”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Life — Generally of physical life (Gen. 2:7; Luke 16:25, etc.); also used figuratively (1) for immortality (Heb. 7:16); (2) conduct or manner of life (Rom. 6:4); (3) spiritual life or salvation (John 3:16, 17, 18, 36); (4) eternal life (Matt. 19:16, 17; John 3:15); of God and Christ as the absolute source and cause of all life (John 1:4; 5:26, 39; 11:25; 12:50).”
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).”
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 ”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Everlasting — Eternal, applied to God (Gen. 21:33; Deut. 33:27; Ps. 41:13; 90:2). We also read of the "everlasting hills" (Gen. 49:26); an "everlasting priesthood" (Ex. 40:15; Num. 25:13). (See [196]ETERNAL.)”
I John “I John 5:11 (Geneva1599) — And this is that record, to wit, that God hath giuen vnto vs eternall life, and this life is in that his Sonne.”
1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 2:25: this is the promise--Eternal life shall be the permanent consummation of thus abiding in the Son and in the Father (Jo1 2:24). he--Greek, "Himself," Christ, "the Son" (compare Jo1 1:1). promised-- (Joh 3:15, Joh 3:36; Joh 6:40, Joh 6:47, Joh 6:57; Joh 17:2-3).”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 91:16: With long life will I satisfy him,.... In this world: the saints live in it as long as they choose to live; and when they come to die, be it when it will, they are, like Abraham, full of years, or satisfied with them; they have had enough of them, and would not live always here; but, with good old Simeon, desire to depart in peace; and in the other world they shall be satisfied with length of days, for ever and ever, even with eternal life; and nothing short of this will satisfy a good man: and show him my salvation; Jesus Christ, the author of salvation, whom God ”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 1:14: 1:14 The Spirit is both God’s guarantee of future blessings and a foretaste of eternal life and power. The believer’s eternal inheritance includes everything he promised (see also 1:18; Rom 8:17; 2 Cor 1:22; 5:5; Gal 3:29; 4:7; Col 1:12; 3:24; Titus 3:7).”
Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 3:2: For length of days, and long life,.... Or, "years of life", or "lives" (f); a long life of usefulness and comfort here, and eternal life hereafter: the law of Moses promised a long life to the observers of it; but the Gospel of Christ brings an immortal life to light and promises to all believers in him that they shall not perish, but shall have everlasting life. "Length of days for ever and ever" was asked by Christ of his Father, Psa 21:4, and given him, and is in his right hand, Pro 3:16; it is in his power to give, and he does give it to all his children, people,”
1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 5:10: 5:10 a little while: Sufferings on this earth—while sometimes appearing to be endless—are in fact only momentary compared with the glorious eternity that believers will spend with God (cp. 1:6; Rom 8:18; 2 Cor 4:16-18).”
1 Samuel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Samuel 2:32: 2:32-33 live out their days: In the Old Testament, a short life often expresses God’s disfavor, while long life represents God’s blessing (cp. Gen 15:15; 1 Kgs 3:14; Ps 91:16).”
1 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 John 5:11: And this is the record,.... The sum and substance of it, with respect to the person of Christ, and the security of salvation in him, who is the true God, and eternal life: that God hath given to us eternal life; which is a life of glory and happiness hereafter; in the present state is unseen, but will in the world to come be a life of vision, free from all the sorrows and imperfections of this; and will be of the utmost perfection and pleasure, and for ever. This is a pure free grace gift of God the Father, proceeding from his sovereigns good will and pleasure, and ”

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