Eternity: November 2007

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 8
The very thought of eternity overwhelms us! We cannot comprehend something that has no beginning or no ending. Yet we read in Psalm 90:22Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. (Psalm 90:2), “From everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God,” or it could read, “From eternity to eternity Thou art God.” Eternity is a long, long time. Actually, it is timeless. Heaven and hell will go on for eternity. Who said so? The God who inhabits eternity (Isaiah 57:1515For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. (Isaiah 57:15)) tells us so in the Bible. Therefore, how important it is that we be prepared to spend eternity in heaven by receiving Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. For those that do trust in Him, He has “obtained eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:1212Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (Hebrews 9:12)) through His own blood. Also, He has become “the Author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him” (Hebrews 5:99And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; (Hebrews 5:9)). Let us try to illustrate time in relation to eternity. Suppose you were on an ocean cruiser, attached a thread to a thimble, dropped it into the ocean and then pulled up a thimble full of salt water. This little amount of water would represent time, taken out of the ocean of eternity. Do you know that all people will exist eternally? But not all have eternal life, because that is God’s gift to believers only (John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)). Unbelievers will exist eternally, for the wrath of God will abide on them. Eternity no longer strikes fear in the believer’s heart, because 1 John 5:1313These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13) says, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.” If you are undergoing difficulties during this little period of time, remember this encouraging verse: “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deut. 33:2727The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them. (Deuteronomy 33:27)).
1. For how long will honor and glory be given to the King eternal? 1 Timothy 1:___
2. This verse tells us that the punishment of the wicked and the blessing of the righteous are eternal. Matthew 25:___
3. What does the Lord give to His sheep that they can never lose? John 10:___
4. The things that we see - are they temporal or eternal? 2 Corinthians 4:___
5. What is the promise that the Lord Jesus has promised us? 1 John 2:___