Eternity
Bible Facts Newspaper Article (Ian C. Kurylyk)

“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” (Matthew 25:46). The Bible makes it clear that God is eternal and has also created man to live somewhere for all eternity. It is plain that the present life is only temporary, but we are assured that we will go to eternity after. Though it is brief, the present life is profoundly significant. We need to think about it Biblically.

This life is a pilgrimage, a journey as saints of the Bible confessed. Yet it is uncommon to find people today who think seriously about this fact. What is more important, the eternal destination or the short trip going there? It is like a man who is more concerned that he travel in style and comfort than whether he is going to a celebration or his execution. We can see that life is only a journey by a moment’s reflection. There are many coming and going in this world, but nobody is staying.

The Bible also teaches that our life is an opportunity. It comes before eternity, and it is the time when the eternal destination is determined. The challenge we face as human beings is that we all start life on the wrong road, what Jesus calls the broad road that leads to destruction. Because our father Adam fell into sin, we were born into a sinful, fallen, lost estate. And sin is so serious in God’s eyes the consequence is “everlasting punishment”. Jesus warned about being “cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched” (Mark 9:45b)

The Gospel (“good news”) of Jesus Christ is that He came into the world to make a way to a different eternity. He speaks of Himself as being the narrow gate that opens to a road whose destination is eternal life. However the opportunity to change course and have a new and wonderful destination for eternity is in this life only. Now is the time that one can receive the gift of eternal life by calling upon the Lord in faith.

Thirdly, we have to keep reminding ourselves that eternity is for ever, but life is brief and uncertain. “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14).