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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | john3.16 | John 3:16 | westside | 124327 | ||
does not perish and nave eternal life mean | ||||||
2 | john3.16 | John 3:16 | Hank | 124366 | ||
westside: The terms "perish" and "eternal life" in John 3:16 share a commonality in a quantitative sense, i.e., the fires of hell are as everlasting for condemned sinners as the bliss of heaven is for redeemed believers in Christ Jesus. But what a qualitative difference between the two terms! The term "eternal life" as it is used in the New Testament means infinitely more than merely existence that has no end. Theologically, "to perish" also means "being lost", or "coming to destruction" (see the Amplified Bible wording); and the New Testament teaching leaves no doubt that this condition will last forever. On the other hand, the term "eternal life" as it is used here in John 3:16 is the same Greek word that appears in nearly 50 other places in the NT, sometimes translated as "eternal life" and sometimes as "everlasting life," but the meaning is always the same, and it is this. Eternal (or everlasting) life refers not only to never-ending quantity but to divine quality of life. It refers to heavenly existence in perfect harmony, glory, holiness. Additionally it also refers to what is experienced by believers in the Lord Jesus before heaven is reached. This "eternal life" essentially is nothing less than being a participant in the eternal life of the Word, the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the life of God in every believer not yet fully evinced until the resurrection (see Romans 8:19-23 and Philppians 3:20,21). --Hank | ||||||