Part I Eternal Life and Heaven

1. Eternal life

Read John 17:3 and John 5:24

We usually think of eternal life in terms of time, that is, a life that never ends. There is yet another way to think of eternal life, in terms of priority, that is focusing on what really matters. Indeed the Hebrew word for lasting life,  a life of eternity chayei olam refers to living a life focused on matters of eternal importance, as supposed to the word for fleeing life, chayei sha’ah which means to live a life that is only concerned about everyday things: working, making money, eating, and sleeping. Hence we can think of eternal life as living in a relationship with God that starts while we are still on earth and stretches on into a long future. It is a quality of life that we can already experience now, rather than an event that begins at another point in time, as in the idea of afterlife.

2. The Kingdom of God

Read Matthew 19:16 – 24 and Matthew 16: 19

Jesus often referred to eternal life and kingdom of God interchangeably. Simply put, the kingdom of God is a realm where God is the loving sovereign king who rules over a people who willingly submit themselves to his ruling. This in effect, is a personal relationship with God which we may begin to have today and continue to enjoy into eternity when we stay faithful to him. Hence how we live today on earth will be indicative of our destination in the afterlife.

3. New heaven and new earth

Read Romans 8: 19-23, 2 Peter 3:12b-13

The creation as we know it today is subject to decay and longs to be liberated from its bondage. It will one day be destroyed.

Read Isaiah 65:17-19, Revelation 21:1-3

Most of us have this idea that we go to heaven after we die, as if in our afterlife, we simply travel to a destination we had not been to before. If there is a heaven and an earth today, there will be a new heaven and a new earth after the day of judgment. The old will pass away and the new will come – both heaven and earth. In this new model, we do not go to heaven, rather we continue to live on earth, the new earth, and God himself will come to live among us, as he did with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

4. The Resurrected body

Read 1 Corinthians 15:42, 1 John 3:2, Matthew 22:29

On judgment day, we will be resurrected – that is we will come back to life to stand before God for the final judgment. Those who are granted eternal life will receive a new and glorious body, just like the creation will receive a new heaven and earth.

5. Our work in heaven

Read Genesis 1:25, Matthew 24: 45-47, Matthew 25:14-29

What is day-to-day life like in heaven? Just like God commanded mankind to take care of the earth at the beginning of creation, he will again entrust Mankind to look after the new creation. What do we do in heaven? Take care of God’s creation (work) and enjoy its fruits (play).

Part II As We Look Forward to Heaven

God promises a great inheriance for those who loved him and belong to him.  Heaven and eternal life are also known as inheritance for those who believe.  

1. Be detached from this world

Read Mattew 6:19-21, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, 1 John 2: 15-17

If you are renting a small apartment while a larger, grander house is being built for you, how attached would you be to your small apartment?  How much would you invest in making your temporary rental looking and feeling grand? Similarly, when we truly understand that our lives here on earth is temporary, and that there is something far more more magnificent waiting for us, we take on an eternal perspective regarding our possessions.

2. Pressing forward without growing weary

Read Philippians 4:13b-14 . Hebrews 12: 1-3,

Why do both Apostle Paul and the Hebrew writer compare the life of a Christian to running a race? A runner has a goal he wants to reach, a runner must be trained and a runner can grow running.  As God's people, we also have a goal we want to reach, and to do so, we also must receive the training we need, and we do not want to grow weary and give up in the middle of a race. Ask yourself if you are in the race, or if you are cheering at someone else's race? And if you are running the race, ask yourself if you have the adequate training and encouragement to finish the race.

3. Be Vigilant - hours and days unknown

Read Matthew 24:26, Matthew 24:42, Matthew 25: 1-13

Jesus gives us strict warning to be watchful and viligant for the coming of Judgment Day.  He wants us to be ready when it comes.  Most of us are so busy living, enjoying, or just surviving this life, the concept of Judgement Day seems so far removed.  Yet if we claim to have our faith in Jesus, we must also believe in his warning. 

Practical steps to being vigillant.  First start with believing.  Trust Jesus when he says that Judgement Day will come and that we must all give an account for our lives on that day.  Then exame your life to see if there is anything blocking your relationship with God (Psalm 139:24).  Finally, think about how you would live your life differently if you know that God already knows everything in your heart and on your mind today (Hebrews 4:13), and that everything will come to light on the Judgement Day? 

4. Guard against complacency and false teaching

Read 2 Peter 1: 5-11, 2 Peter 3: 14-18

During the race, we might want to slow down and take a walk instead of running.  We might listen to distractors who want to take us on a short cut or an easier path.  We must be on our guard against these distractions by fixing our eyes on Jesus (Hebrew 12: 1-3) and by practicing the spiritual disciplines that help us to grow in 'increasing measures.'

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