Life to Come
And the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 1 John 5:11 NASB
Eternal life – What is eternal life? Most Christians immediately think of life in heaven. Of course, with a little reminder, we realize that eternal life begins with our commitment to fellowship with Yeshua, not when we die. Our confusion comes from the theological distinction between temporal and eternal, a confusion that crept into Christian thinking long ago (see my book). The Greek term here helps us get back on track. It is zoe aionios, life in the coming age. When we realize that John is not distinguishing between temporal and eternal, but rather between life in this age and life in the coming age, then we discover that his Jewish background provides a second level of understanding. In Hebrew, life in the coming age is life in the olam ha-ba.
What is life in the olam ha-ba? Well, that’s not quite clear. For a Jewish perspective, look at this.
It could be life in “heaven,” but it also might be life after the return of the Messiah, or it might be some other kind of existence. Rabbinical thought isn’t definitive, nor are the texts of the Tanakh. When John (Yochanan) speaks about the zoe aionios, is he talking about heaven or the Millennial Kingdom or something else? All that we really know is that this state of being is intimately connected to Yeshua, is experienced in some way in the present as anticipation of something to come, and is available to all who find fellowship in the Son. The Bible doesn’t really say a whole lot about “heaven.” In fact, in the Tanakh (the only “Bible” John had), there is almost no emphasis on heaven. What we anticipate in the olam ha-ba is greater community with Him. All the rest of Scripture focuses attention on this age, here and now.
Does it strike you as a little odd that Jewish thought is so unconcerned about the olam ha-ba while Christian thought seems completely preoccupied with the afterlife? If John is Jewish (and he most certainly is), can we really imagine that his idea of zoe aionios is radically different than the concept of the olam ha-ba that he grew up with? If the olan ha-ba can be understood as the reign of the Messiah, doesn’t that change our Christian picture of “heaven”? And why is it that Christians are so fixated on escape from this world and rest in the next? Could it be that the Platonic dualism which sees this world as essentially corrupt and worthless and the next world as blessed and perfect has altered our view of “eternal life”? Could it be that Christian thinking is much more a reflection of Plato’s concept of heaven and earth than a reflection of Scripture? If the Kingdom of heaven is at hand, then why all the fuss about getting there? If life is in the Son, then what’s the problem with dying? If being in fellowship with Yeshua is keeping His commandments, then why are we pushing an evangelism of death (“Where would you go if you died tonight?”)?
Are you concerned about zoe aionios or olam ha-ba? Why?
Topical Index: eternal life, zoe aionios, olam ha-ba, 1 John 5:11
CORRECTION: If you read the announcement about the next trip to Israel, I forgot to say that it is in April-May, 2012. Sorry.
“And why is it that Christians are so fixated on escape from this world and rest in the next?”
Listen closely to the words I speak. I am one of those “Christians” and I have a dual-citizenship. I am a resident alien. This world, my friends, is not my home- I am “just passing through.” But hear and know this- “Jesus is LORD, “both” of Heaven AND of earth. There and then, AND here and now- He is LORD of the telescopic and He is LORD of the microscopic. LORD of the eternal and LORD of the temporal. Both Christians and Jews serve and know the very same G-d (there is only ONE) as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Abraham’s G-d is my G-d, the very same G-d “we” crucified on Calvary’s hill.
This G-d is Sovereign, and this G-d became a man, incarnated in human flesh. The Messiah has come, was crucified, has ascended and will return to receive those (including this “little Christ”) who belong to Him.
I have other questions for “both” Jews and Gentiles. When our LORD said “whosoever” did this include the Jew? Does “whosoever” include the Gentile? Then be done with it- anyone may come. The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. All are invited. The Jew first (He came unto His own) and also to the Greek- the rest of us heathen. Hallelujah for this. The invitation of G-d (salvation) is offered and open to all. I have received and so have you an invitation to the wedding supper of the Lamb.
Next question: Is “eternal life” a quantity or is it a quality? Yeshua (yes, surprise, surprise Jesus was a Jew) said (are we listening?)- “I am come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10.10) Who wants to live forever if you’re going to be bored to tears? Let me translate this verse- I am come that you might be bored to tears- forever!!! Acccck!! or to be more specific.. -“oy vay!!”
Hear my words: “Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.” Do these words sound familiar or shall we just push them aside?-“In my Father’s house are many mansions” -this ain’t no shack, -I’m sure.. or “I go to prepare a place for you”- G-d created this world in six days, what kind of super-structure can He create in two-thousand years? Friends,- it’s gonna be good. How good? Remember these words?- “Eye has not seen,neither has ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man, the things G-d has in store for them that love Him?” The “best” is yet to come!- Is it okay if I get excited about heaven? Thanks. – Meanwhile..”back at the ranch..”- there is work to be done. Now let me see if I can remember what the mission of my Master was.. Hmm.. Oh yes, I remember now!- “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost..” Should my mission be the same as His? Uhhh..Yes? Does this include the Jew? Does this include the Gentile? “He went about doing good..” Should I do the same? -Uhhh..
The “kingdom of G-d” is here and now. In the sight of G-d, we are living in this very pregnant moment right in the middle of Eternity. We are a dot and dash between the past and the future. Born on this day and died on that day, our life is the dash in between. I believe James said “a vapor that appears for a moment.” “Dust in the wind” according to the Eagles. “Only one life, ’twill soon be past.. only what’s done for Christ will last.”
Today is a gift. That is why it is called the present. How will I steward what has been given unto me, and use all His gifts to me for the service of man and the glory of G-d? G-d is watching, -intently. He is with us, intimately. G-d once had a temple for His people. He now has a people for His temple.
“For you are now bought with a price: therefore glorify G-d in your body, and in your spirit, which are G-d’s.” (1 Corithians 6.20)
“For this reason, I fall on my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its character. I pray that from the treasures of His glory He will empower you with inner strength by His Spirit, so that the Messiah may live in your hearts through your trusting. Also I pray that you will be rooted and founded in love, so that you, with all G-d’s people, will be given strength to grasp the breadth, length, height and depth of the Messiah’s love, yes, to know it, even though it is beyond all knowing, so that you will be filled with all the fullness of G-d.” (Ephesians 3)
Hi Carl. You had a lot to say. I’m just not so convinced that Scripture follows the Negro spiritual “I’m just a’ passing through.” That might comfort those who were abused under slavery, but it doesn’t seem to be the emphasis of Scripture. Why would it be necessary to “pass through” if restoration is in order? Why would I want to go somewhere other than the Garden where I could walk with Him in the cool of the evening?
Once again, “it’s not either/or, it’s both”. We, who are followers of the Way, have the best of both worlds, for He is LORD of heaven AND of earth. We do get to walk with Him in the cool of the evening and meet with Him at the dawn of each new day, and enjoy His presence all through the day as we “rattle our pots and pans” (Brother Lawrence- Practicing the Presence of G-d). Canaan, I’m convinced is “both” here and there. In this life, there is no higher blessing than to know Him as it will also be in our new glorified bodies and spirits. Now we know in part, but then we will know in full. Ours is a (both) now and then salvation. From here to eternity, my friend, we will enjoy Christ and the fulness of the riches of His grace and BTW in our new, painfree, ever-youthful sin-free bodies and minds. Eden will be ours to enjoy for eternity. There is coming a new heavens and a new earth and we will reign with Him, loving Him and loving each other. What will heaven be like? I cannot begin to tell you other than this.. – “heaven is where Jesus is..”. That in itself is more than enough, but that is far from all. G-d created this world in six days and the Master Carpenter has been busy for over two millenia building the New Jerusalem. We will in out glorified sin-free bodies enjoy seeing things we have never before seen, hearing things we never before have heard and tasting the delights of the King’s table. All the absolute finest and best of what we see here on this green planet is but a glimpse of the glory yet to be. But above all these fine things we should remember- Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people. G-d is constantly at work in our lives preparing us to inhabit our habitation, and to possess our possessions and He that has begun a good work in us will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
We would do well to remember the story of Lazarus the beggar and the rich man who was “inside the gate.” G-d does have a way of turning things around. In Heaven, who was now the rich man and who was begging for a drink of cold water?
I agree with RW, in his book: “Purpose-Driven Life.” Life is a test. Life is a trust, and Life is temporary. This is not my final stop friends.. this is boot-camp, rehearsal for phase 2. There is a Heaven and there is a Hell and there is a world of lost people to point to the (only) ONE who holds the keys of Heaven and Hell. I agree, brother David, we are not “saved” by the plan of salvation, we are saved by the man of salvation and His name is “Salvation.” -The LORD Jesus (who is the) Christ, whom we consciously, cruelly crucified on the cross of Calvary, the Lamb of G-d who has paid the sin-debt of hell for every man woman and child on the planet and has redeemed us unto G-d, a people now called by His name.
“And they sang a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for you were slain, and have redeemed us to G-d by your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;” Who are “these” people? and will you and I be singing with them?
Any wonder that we present the gospel as a “plan” of salvation rather than the “Person” of salvation? That is, that this “plan” of salvation will ensure our future eternity in heaven, keep us from going to the “other place” (no one speaks of hell much these days) if we just accept God’s “plan”. I would rather present Jesus and fellowship with the Father through Him as being the only real “life” that anyone of us might hope for and that this life begins when I choose to walk with Him. Anything else is true “death” and “vanity” (the gospel according to Ecclesiastes).
Great point. And as a follow up, you can look forward to the Today’s Word editions about “sacrifice” (coming soon to a theater near you).
I really responded to your question of “why are we pushing an evangelism of death”? That’s really a great way to state it. Are we trying to scare people into the Kingdom? Yes, it’s fantastic to know that we will be with Yeshua after we die, but what about now? What are we doing in this life? Are we feeding the hungry or clothing the naked? I used to watch a great deal of Christian television, but I can barely stomach it anymore. I got so sick of hearing about the rapture and “when I get to Heaven”, etc. What about the abundant life with Yeshua now? Are you being transformed? etc. My salvation is more than “I’ve got a ticket to a great after life”. Oy, you’ve touched a nerve in me, Skip 🙂
Makes you wonder about the history of this penchant to get out, doesn’t it? Since the evangelical movement was a direct result of the Antebellum period, I wonder if the offer of escape wasn’t just a savvy bit of marketing.
” For a Jewish perspective, look at this.”
I have a very distinct memory of one evening in the 7th grade.
A very kind and loving man was teaching a religion class.
And he began talking about who would get into heaven.
And who would not.
I thought to myself “I don’t know much about this stuff.”
But one thing I know for sure.
I don’t believe we can know this type of thing.
On the other hand, I find the perspective above very refreshing.
Michael, I agree, it’s a very refreshing perspective. I especially liked this section:
I went with Skip to Israel last year. The group “pestered” Bob Gorelik for 2 weeks with “Who is going to heaven?”, and, “What does it really mean to be saved?”, and finally, “Shut up already and just tell me if I’m goig to heaven?!?!?”
Bob eventually made me realize that those are the wrong questions. We are most definitely NOT “just passing through.” We are here to help each other.
And then we die.
And then…….who the eff knows? And when you’re comfortable with that answer, maybe now you’re really trusting God. 😉
Roderick Logan recently recommended “Love Wins” by Rob Bell to me. It’s apparently rather “scandalous” in certain circles. Rob poses some great questions…the right questions methinks.
Hope to see you all when the Olam-Habab arrives and begins. 🙂
Hey… just a quick note for all of us to laugh…
Skip, you said that the trip is April-May 2012…. but remember that in 2012 the world ends!
Hehehehe… And yes, you are right. Better think on Olam-ha-ba. 😀
Hugs to everyone!
AL
At least those who go with us will be in the right place when the world ends. 🙂 The rest of you – too bad. Better sign up for this quick since only 20 will be elected.
Elected or have the ability to pay to be elected!!!!
According to Joel Osteen, those two choices seem to be the same. 😉
That’s funny right there. I don’t care who you are! 🙂
Thank you so much for an excellent teaching on the “Life to Come.” I kind of lean toward what the Talmud says, “This world is like the eve of Shabbat, and the Olam Ha-Ba is like Shabbat. He who prepares on the eve of Shabbat will have food to eat on Shabbat. We prepare ourselves for the Olam Ha-Ba…”