Thank you for the question on eternal life, “What does the Bible say about eternal life?”
The common misconception about eternal life is duration of time. Eternal life is much more than the quantity of time but the quality of time.
Eternal life entering a relationship with God that enables a person to enjoy the person of God and the plan of God for His creation. It is enjoying God forever.
I. God’s Plan for mankind to enjoy him forever.
Genesis 1 gives the reason for creating Adam,, “ 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” (NIV Bible is cited in its references).
Genesis 3 says that God came to fellowship with Adam and Eve, “8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, …”
John 17 says that eternal life is knowing God, “3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”
God made Adam and Eve with the purpose of enjoying him forever.
II. Disobedience to God breaks the relationship with God.
God commanded and warned Adam not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The reason is that if they do, they will die. They will experience the separation of physical life on earth but also spiritual separation from God.
Genesis 3 says this when Adam and Eve sinned, “and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”
Adam and Eve sought to hid their disobedience from God by hiding among the trees and making for themselves a fig covering of their nakedness. God called to them but they were reluctant to approach God.
Adam and Eve saw the effect of their sins with the slaying of an animal as well as Cain killing Abel. Death was no longer a theory but a reality.
III. The Provision of God to restore sinful mankind.
The death of the animal could atone for sin, but it was a covering over sin until the One who could remove sin before God. The full restoration of relationship and fellowship with God came through the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross for sinners.
John the Baptist said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” Jesus is the Lamb of God who paid the penalty of sins against God so that God can forgive those who believe in the work of his Son, Jesus Christ on the cross.
I John 2 says this about restoration of fellowship, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (NIV).
There is the restoration of a broken relationship. Fellowship with God is now possible and available.
John 1 says this, “3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ” (NIV). Every believer can have fellowship with the Father and with the Son, Jesus Christ.
IV. Eternal life begins at the point of salvation.
Sometimes, believers think that eternal life begins after they die and have gone into heaven. That too is a misconception. Eternal life begins at the moment one believes that Jesus died for his/her sins. There is a passing from death to life. There is a new birth.
John 3 says this, “16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (NIV).
The text does not say that one may have eternal life or will have eternal life. The text states that one has eternal life. It has already begun for the believer. That person is free from condemnation, (Rom. 8:1) and is now a citizen of heaven. It’s stamp and sealed. See Philippians 3:20–21 and Romans 8.
Summary: Eternal life is both a quality and quantity of life with God whereby one enjoys God and his plan for his creation.
-Kingston