Eternal Life Begins with the Second Coming of Jesus
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NKJ V
Fact, you are alive because you are reading this article. Should we die before Jesus returns as indicated in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, (see the text above), we should consider what may happen to us. After this physical life we all will die, that’s a 100% fact. After death there are only two possibilities: 1. You will go into oblivion as if you never existed or; 2. Your spirit will live for eternity. Just what is “Eternal Life”? By Christian standards it simply means that you will live somewhere for all eternity. That somewhere has two possibilities also: 1. Live with Jesus, God the Son, forever or; 2. Live in the darkness of hell without the fellowship of Jesus or any other living person or animal. (See the article “Hell”)
If we repent from our sins and accept Jesus Christ as our Creator, God and Savior, the following principals will follow!
Jesus promised His disciples He would come again. It’s in the Bible. John 14:1-4 says "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know." NKJ V
The angels promised Jesus would come again. It’s in the Bible. Acts 1:10-11 says, “And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." NKJ V
How will Jesus come again? It’s in the Bible. Luke 21:27 says, “Then they will see the Son of Man ( GOD the Son) coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” NKJ V
How many will see Him when He comes? It’s in the Bible. Revelation 1:7 says, “ Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.” NKJ V
What will we see and hear when He comes? It's in the Bible, 1 Thess 4:16-17 says, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” NKJ V
What warning has Christ given so we won't be fooled about the second coming? It's in the Bible. Matt 24:23-26 says, “Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. "Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it. NKJ V
Does anyone know the exact time of Christ's coming? It's in the Bible. Matt 24:36 says, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. NKJ V
What warning has Christ given that we might not be taken by surprise by this great event? It's in the Bible. Matt 24:42 says, "Watch out! Don't let My sudden coming catch you unawares; don't let Me find you living in careless ease, carousing and drinking, and occupied with the problems of this life, like all the rest of the world. Keep a constant watch." NKJ V
Why is Jesus second coming taking so long? It's in the Bible. 2 Peter 3:8-9 says, “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is patient toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. NKJ V
While we wait for Jesus, how should we live? It's in the Bible. Titus 2:11-14 says “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” NKJ V
What will the world be like when Jesus comes? It's in the Bible. Matt 24:37-40 says “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” NKJ V
Will Christ's coming be a time of reward? It's in the Bible. Matt 16:27 says “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works” and Rev 22:12 "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” NKJ V
Why is Jesus coming back? It's in the Bible. Heb 9:28 says, “So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” NKJ V
At Jesus' second coming, we will fully experience the reality of our salvation. It's in the Bible. 1 Cor 1:7-8 says, “…so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” NKJ V
What the Bible says about Eternal life: The expression “Eternal Life” occurs in the Old Testament only in Dan. 12:2 (Revised Version, "everlasting life"). It occurs frequently in the New Testament ( Matt. 7:14; 18:8,9; Luke 10:28; compare Luke 18:18). It comprises the whole future of the redeemed ( Luke 16:9), and is opposed to "eternal punishment" ( Matt. 19:29; 25:46). It is the final reward and glory into which the children of God enter ( 1 Tim. 6:12, 19; Rom. 6:22; Gal. 6:8; 1 Tim. 1:16; Rom. 5:21); their Sabbath of rest ( Hebrews 4:9). The newness of life which the believer derives from Christ ( Rom. 6:4) is the very essence of salvation, and hence the life of glory or the eternal life must also be theirs ( Rom. 6:8; 2 Tim. 2:11,12; Rom. 5:17, 21; 8:30; Eph. 2:5,6). It is the "gift of God in Jesus Christ our Lord" ( Rom. 6:23). The life the faithful have here on earth ( John 3:36; 5:24; 6:47, 53-58) is inseparably connected with the eternal life beyond, the endless life of the future, the happy future of the saints in heaven ( Matt. 19:16, 29; 25:46).
