Since eternal life is the result of following Jesus, what’s the alternative? Might “eternal death” be the opposite?
If eternal life starts immediately when we begin our journey with Jesus, does eternal death start as soon as someone rejects him?
If eternal life results in heaven, doesn’t eternal death result in hell?
Some opine that eternal death is merely physical death; when the bodies dies, that person is forever gone; their spirit does not live on; it dies too. Death is the end.
However, that’s not my understanding. You can’t have the promise of heaven without the possibility of hell.
For those who follow Jesus, eternal life begins here and now when they align with him. When their body dies, their spirit continues on, enjoying eternal life in heaven.
For those who don’t follow Jesus, eternal death begins here and now when they disregard him. When their body dies, their spirit continues on, suffering eternal death in hell.
[See verses about eternal death in the Amplified Bible, the Message, and the New Living Bible]
A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.
