Hi all,
Before I go on to say why I have made this thread, let me just say ULTIMATELY only God can make one understand, because in all honesty NO ONE understands God. This morning I have prayed, I have prayed for all who do not understand the scriptures, that God will make them see the truth. Believe me I don't fully understand God, I only understand what God has shown me through the scriptures. I do not make judgments on anyone, obviously that is not up to me. But I will show everyone here on this board what I have studied in the scriptures as it hurts me when someone is mislead. Feel free to dispute with me...
The term "Eternal life" is unscriptual in the Bible. The New Testament was originally written in Greek. "Eternal life" in it's proper wording is "Eonian life".
Let me give you passage:
John 3:36
"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."
This indeed is a mistake. Highlight John 3:36 and go to Bible gateway. Now, most Bibles will give "the above quote" or replace "Eternal" with "everlasting". Now, "everlasting" is a contradiction in itself... If it is "EVER" (forever) then how can it be "LASTING" (to last). But how ever some Bibles (in Bible gateway) have to proper meaning for example let me show you what the same passage says in Young's Literal translation:
"he who is believing in the Son, hath life age-during; and he who is not believing the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God doth remain upon him."
"Eonian life" is life for the eons or life for the ages. However long the eons or ages are, that's how long eonian or age-abiding life is. Then what?
Here's why unlearned theologians say this is not possible, because after the ages or eons, we would all die. NOT TRUE!
Let me illustrate. Suppose your company is going to buy you and everyone in your company an all-expense paid trip to Europe for one month. EVERYBODY gets that trip. However, because you are such a fabulous worker and such a asset to the company, your boss is going to send you on a trip to Europe for three whole weeks BEFORE everyone else goes on their trip. This is a SPECIAL, BONUS trip. Not many get to go on THIS particular bonus trip, only a few.
Now then, you get to go THREE WEEKS earlier than the rest. When they arrive, you have already been their enjoying yourself for THREE WEEKS. So when the others arrive to begin their vacation, does your vacation END? No. Only your "three week" vacation ends. But you CONTINUE to vacation in Europe just as long as the rest.Your hotel reservation is not cancelled after three weeks.
That is not a perfect illustration, but maybe you get the point. "Aionion" or "Age-lasting life" is a SPECIAL gift from God that only a relatively FEW ever receive. It is LIFE in God's Kingdom BEFORE the masses are brought into God's Kingdom. What allows those who are given "eonian life" to continue living even AFTER the eons are past, is not the promise from God of "eternal life" but rather "IMMORTALITY."
All of God's children will be given IMMORTALITY and INCORRUPTION, so that they will NEVER DIE. However, those who are given immortality before the rest, receive it ages or eons IN ADVANCE of the rest.
Can you now understand it? If not, let me know and I'll try and explain it a different way.
I will post more later...