Eternal State

Concise Bible Dictionary:

A term not found in scripture, but often applied to the future, when the Lord Jesus will deliver up the kingdom to God the Father, and be Himself subject unto Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all (1 Cor. 15:24-28; compare Rev. 21:1-8).

From Anstey’s Doctrinal Definitions:

This term is not in Scripture, but it conveys a Scriptural thought. Bible teachers use it when referring to a condition of things that God will create in the heavens and the earth after time has run its course—that is, after the Millennium. There are only three places in Scripture where the Eternal State is described: 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; 2 Peter 3:12-13, and Revelation 21:1-8.
In the Eternal state, the reconciliation of all things will be complete; everything will be in accord with the mind of God (Col. 1:20). Sin and death will exist in the Millennium (Psa. 101:5-8; Isa. 65:20; Zech. 5:1-4; 1 Cor. 15:25), but in the Eternal State all trace of them will be gone (John 1:29; 1 Cor. 15:26). During the Millennium, righteousness will “reign” (Isa. 32:1; 61:11). It will be the rule of life for all on earth; everything that lifts up its head against it will be judged and put down. But in the Eternal State, righteousness “dwells” peacefully (2 Peter 3:13). There will be no need to enforce it, for there will be no adverse power to resist it—all will be of God and He will be “all in all” (1 Cor. 15:28). Scripture says that Christ and the heavenly saints will “reign to the age of ages” (which is the Eternal State), but it does not say that they reign in the age of ages (Rev. 22:5 – J. N. Darby Trans.). Christ will have delivered up the kingdom to the Father then, and there will be no need for government in the earth (1 Cor. 15:24). Thus, the Millennium will be for the vindication of God’s character, but the Eternal State will be for the satisfaction of His heart. The Millennium will be “the day of the Lord” (Isa. 1:12, etc.) and “the day of Christ” (Phil. 1:6, 10; 2:16, etc.), but the Eternal State will be “the day of God” (2 Peter 3:12) and “the day of eternity” (2 Peter 3:18). Everything in heaven and earth will reflect the glory of God in that eternal day.
Heaven and earth will abide as distinct places throughout all eternity, but they will be in an entirely new condition, which will be altogether different from what we know today. Revelation 21:1 Says that there will be “no more sea.” This, taken symbolically, indicates that there will be no more separation in circumstances as we know them. A “sea” is a separating element in nature and is used in this verse to indicate separation in circumstances, space, age, and nationality, etc. Therefore, time dimensions, geographical boundaries, human limitations and differences will all be gone then. There will be nothing to separate men from happy fellowship with one another and with God. A condition of fixed happiness will pervade everything. Thus, there will be no more “tears,” “death,” “sorrow,” “crying,” and “pain”—things which are the direct result of sin (Rev. 21:5).
New Jerusalem will come into view as the eternal abode of the Church, which will be “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Rev. 21:2). Thus, the Church will exist as a distinct entity from the other groups of redeemed persons as the “bride” of Christ. The Church as “the Lamb’s wife” (which she will be in the Millennium assisting in the government of the earth – Rev. 21:9) will cease in the Eternal State, but the Church as a “bride” of Christ will continue for eternity. She will be there wholly “for” His enjoyment and for the satisfaction of His heart.
New Jerusalem is said to come “down from God,” but there is no indication that it touches the earth; thus heaven and earth will remain distinct in the Eternal State, but they will be in the closest harmony. In that eternal day, it will be triumphantly declared: “The tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them” (Rev. 21:3). This is a great desire of God—to dwell in fellowship with “the sons of men” (Prov. 8:31). When this occurs, it will be announced triumphantly—“It is done” (Rev. 21:6). This marks the fulfillment of God’s purpose with man.
Revelation 21:8 states that there will also be a fixed state of damnation for the lost. Eight classes of sinners are mentioned as being under eternal judgment in the lake of fire. The Eternal State has no end. This is very solemn.