Scripture points on eternal life are shared, today, responding to a question on both afterlife and existence before birth. For mankind as a material being in flesh, such events as aging, birth and death must be described using the framework of time that speaks of appearing and occurring as episodes, beginning and ending, and having limited duration. By contrast, baptism, rebirth, and ones entrance into eternal life are aspects of unremitting sacred process that pertain to the unbounded existence of divine spirit. Because death is not a reference point for divine continuation, Christian believers are not to speak of “life after death.” Instead, their language is to be that of “eternal life in place of death.” Keep in mind, the operations of GOD to create and lay out alternatives for the existence of mankind have been before the creation of mankind, during mankind’s existence upon the earth, and will continue throughout eternal ages. Death is only a form of sleep that may interrupt and cause delays to those having eternal life, yet, may not terminate the gift one receives by becoming alive in Jesus Christ. One of the fighters at “Yahoo! Answers” using the same ID “Anonymous” (no standard profile information available) posted the following:
"If we didn't exist before we were born, why would you exist after you're dead?"?
Heard this somewhere. Thoughts?
Do you believe in the afterlife?
I'd like to. But I don't.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant. (Jeremiah 1: 4-10, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: There Must Be Permanent Change (07/12/2015); Few Are Chosen (07/06/2015); Becoming Ripe for Harvest? (07/03/2015); Saved by His Death? (05/13/2015); What Is Life? (02/06/2015); Afraid of Eternal Life? (10/30/2013); Why Bother to Read? (10/31/2013); Embodied Afterlife? (10/11/2013); Commandments in the Light of Christ? (10/12/2013)
“Anonymous”, because the presentation of the Gospel for new Christian believers supplies only basic information with fundamental truths for growth and learning, many mistakenly continue the idea that new life in Christ and their spiritual rebirth are satisfied through simple routines of alms-giving, Bible study, church attendance, and prayer. More correctly understood, in baptism one experiences operations of GOD to begin permanent changes that are to result in ones final transformation at the coming of Jesus Christ (we say, the harvest, the Rapture). Included within baptism are death of ones inborn spirit; the deposit of spirit content from the makeup of Deity (e.g., faith, holiness, truthfulness, wisdom, wrath against sin); and the reconfiguration of awareness and self-will. Believers then are to exist as eternal companions to divinity, and are privileged to continue accounted as glorified, justified, purified, sanctified, immortal, and incorruptible. Because believers are still in the flesh, participating in the material and social reality of life upon the earth, denying death as a force and power is achieved only as one born again gradually “grows up” again (we say, matures, is perfected) by meeting challenges provided through life experience (we say, growing pains, suffering), fellowship with other believers, study of the holy writings, and maintaining sacred practices (we say, sacraments). For the believer, there is a shift in all meaning. Divinity becomes the center and core for all understanding; thus, the Christian only has life through and within the person of Jesus Christ, and the life he now lives is one dead to sin, dead to death, and alive to GOD. Here are a few other thoughts to consider:
(1.) 2nd Timothy 1: 7-10, King James Version (KJV): 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
(2.) 1st Peter 3: 18-23, KJV: 18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
(3.) 1st Corinthians 15: 21-23, KJV: 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
(4.) John 5: 23-25, KJV: 23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
(5.) 1st John 3: 1-3, KJV: 1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
(6.) 1st John 5: 10-12, KJV: 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
There is far more that could be said, and that must be correctly understood and spiritually taken into account. (For example (7.) 1st John 5: 19-20, KJV: 19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. 20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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