Passed from death unto life
Last post we read how Jesus merely reiterated His Father’s Word. Jesus repeated this many times.
He 
continuously throughout his ministry let his followers know that he spoke His Father’s Word and didn’t make anything up himself.
What follows is another promise by Jesus. He tells us that anyone that hears and lives according to His teachings and anyone that believes in His Father, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, can lay claim to the promise of eternal life.
Out of this world!
That promise of eternal life is just out of this world! Who can wrap their mind around it?
Going to heaven? Sure, when I grew up in a Catholic family we all believed that we’d go to heaven; that is unless we were naughty and then we would end up in hell.
But this is a different thing altogether. This is God’s Word laying it out in detail: Eternal life, everlasting life, living forever … If you want to, you can sign up for it … yeahh! I like it. We’re actually given a choice and this choice is not just for the religious but open to anyone.
Are you comfortable?
I often enough hear people say that heaven … yeah whatever. And I’ve come to understand that this is what some people believe because they enjoy all the comforts that life has to offer and they have no longing for a better place. Why don’t these people long for a better place? Because life is quite enjoyable for them as it is. This reminds me of the following verses,
“There was a certain rich man who clothed himself in purple and fine linen, and who feasted luxuriously every day. At his gate lay a certain poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. Lazarus longed to eat the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Instead, dogs would come and lick his sores.
“The poor man died and was carried by angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. While being tormented in the place of the dead, he looked up and saw Abraham at a distance with Lazarus at his side. He shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I’m suffering in this flame.’
But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received good things, whereas Lazarus received terrible things. Now Lazarus is being comforted and you are in great pain. Moreover, a great crevasse has been fixed between us and you. Those who wish to cross over from here to you cannot. Neither can anyone cross from there to us.’
“The rich man said, ‘Then I beg you, Father, send Lazarus to my father’s house. I have five brothers. He needs to warn them so that they don’t come to this place of agony.’ Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets. They must listen to them.’
The rich man said, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone from the dead goes to them, they will change their hearts and lives.’
Abraham said, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the Prophets, then neither will they be persuaded if someone rises from the dead.’” Copyright 2011 Common English Bible(CEB)
Listen to Moses and the Prophets
Once more we’re told by Jesus to listen to Moses and the Prophets if we’re interested in the Good Afterlife. By telling this parable, Jesus even prophesied that people who don’t pay attention to what the prophets had to say, won’t pay attention to someone (such as Himself) who was raised from the dead either.
Don’t worry if you’re comfortable in this life, there is nothing wrong with that in itself. Just make sure that you take care of all the people around you as well.
And then as you take care of those around you, no need to tell the world about it because as Jesus said, the praise you receive for your good deeds will be all the reward you can expect.
“When you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.”
and also
Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG – We’re researching the truth of living forever according to GOD’s Holy Word; Sola Scripture. Popular opinion tells us that everyone who ‘believes’ and has ‘faith’ will go to heaven. Is this true? I decided to ask the prophets about the truth of it all.
ABOUT THE CONTENT – All content on this website is copyrighted and you can read more about this here. Please also read the disclaimer about my authority and qualifications.
ABOUT SCRIPTURE CARDS – If you want to send free Scripture Cards to your friends click here and you you want to buy hard copies of Scripture Cards you can click here. To download a free copy of my Story of Survival click here.
How to inherit everlasting life?
On this blog we’re looking into what the Bible has to say about living forever. We’ve examined what the prophets in the Jewish Bible have to say about this and now we’re looking in the Gospels for answers.
Jesus said,
Every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters,
or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake,
shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
In the Book of Matthew as quoted above, Jesus promises everlasting life to anyone who has left everything ‘for my name’s sake.’ In the Book of Mark this passage is referred to as ‘for my sake and the Gospel’s’ and in the Book of Luke it is referred to as ‘for the kingdom of God sake.’
What did Jesus mean by that? He meant that the Gospel is more important than family or wealth or nationality. And there will be a reward for those who recognise this and live accordingly.
Keep the commandments, sell everything, give to the poor, follow Jesus
One person asked Jesus what he needed to do to have eternal life. Jesus told this guy to keep the commandments. When this young fellow said that he had kept the commandments, Jesus responded by telling him that to have treasure in heaven he would have to sell everything, give to the poor and follow Jesus. That was more than the young man could bear because he was very rich. So he walked away troubled, feeling unable to leave his riches behind. Jesus then said that it is near impossible for a rich person to enter heaven. When this surprised his disciples He responded with one of my favourite sayings which is that, with GOD nothing shall be impossible. Or rather, with God all things are possible.
We all like quick fixes and many churches preach that the commandments have been done away with and all we have to do is, ‘believe in Jesus and all shall be well.’ As we’ve seen that’s not what Jesus himself has to say about eternal life.
Leave everything behind and become a follower
There are plenty other references in the Bible where people left everything behind to become ‘followers.’ There is the story of Elisha the prophet when he was called; the story of Levi the tax collector and Simon and Andrew the fishermen. On one occasion ‘one was called’ and asked Jesus if he could bury his father before he would follow Jesus. Jesus responded with, ‘Let the dead bury their dead, but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.’ On another occasion Jesus said, ‘He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.’
In addition Jesus pointed out that He considers people his family only when they do the will of his Father.
Before I started to read the Bible in earnest I didn’t understand how Scripture, which I thought to be mere text, could be more important than ones loved ones and country. I have since come to understand that Scripture is not mere text, but it is The Holy Word of The Creator of Heaven and Earth and therefore to be taken seriously.
What does the Gospel teach us?
The Gospel tells us to love one and other and to do the right thing by each other. The Gospel is our moral compass for when we’re in doubt as to what action to take. Are we to leave people just because they believe different from how we believe? I don’t think so. We just read that when people ‘are being called,’ such as Elisha the Prophet and the apostles, they are not to look back but keep moving forward. Once we have our hand to the plough, we’re not to look back. Remember Lot’s wife.
Do you feel that you’ve been called? Are only ministers and pastors and priest the ‘called ones?’ Or has anyone who claims to follow Jesus and/or The Father been ‘called?’ Scripture tells us that ‘The Father draws people.’
Regardless if we’re ministers or not, the message for all of us is to live according to the moral guidelines we’re given. And if people make this impossible for us to do, we have to make a choice: will we lower our standards so that we can stay with those we are familiar with; ‘our loved ones?’ or will we continue to live according to our moral guidelines, pray for those who choose to ignore those rules and keep moving toward the light?
Stick with the familiar or keep pressing on for what is right?
This can be a hard choice and there have been many cross roads in my life where I had to make this choice. Sometimes the decision of what road to follow is a minor one, but other times these can be major life decisions. For instance will we stick with an alcoholic partner or cut loose? This probably depends on their attitude. If they are willing to change we can work out a plan and stick to it. What if people merely say that they are wiling to change but continue drowning their sorrows despite our very best efforts? How is this affecting our life and our ability to go out into the world and do good?
What about people with drug problems or mental health problems? What about people who just have mean spirits or are abusive? Swindlers and con artists? What about the charmers and the like who continue leading us up the garden path with empty promises and broken agreements? Are they willing to change their destructive habits or are they attempting to drag us down into it? Does it matter if this happens deliberately or subconsciously?
Can we live the life God meant us to live with the people around us or are these people holding us back when we try to share the Good News? Is our ‘loved one’ making it hard for us to volunteer at the old people’s home or is our ‘loved one’ continuously holding us back when we try to get out there and share our talents with the world? Jesus said,
Are you being persecuted because you live in a country where the predominant religion is not Christian-Judaism? Did you have to leave your home because life was made impossible for you because you read the Bible, go to church and love God’s Word? Then Jesus promise and prophesy is for you.
Jesus’ message is for all of us
Ultimately Jesus’ message is for all of us, religious or not. What are you choosing? Are you choosing a life filled with sharing and caring and giving and loving or will you allow the people around you to drag you down into their arguments and disagreements.
The Gospel’s message is one of love and good deeds. Can you live that life filled with good stuff, if there are foul spirits around you continually getting you sidetracked? I find that it is impossible to pursue ones dreams and aspirations if there are people around you demanding all your attention because they refuse to stay ‘on track’.
Sure pray your heart out for those who choose different standards and morals to live by, but you don’t have to get caught up in other people’s drama’s to the point where you are not able to live the good life God intended for you.
This does not always mean physically leaving your house or family behind although at times it may well mean this. But when you’ve been called and respond to this call you have the willingness to do whatever is required of you according to God’s will. It means a change of heart, you’ve changed where your loyalties are. Are you in or are you out?
Inheriting everlasting life
Jesus mentioned ‘inheriting everlasting life.’ He did so in response to a question from Apostle Peter. Jesus told his disciples that it is near impossible for the rich to enter heaven. So much so that Jesus thought it were easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. His disciples were super amazed at this because they thought that riches equaled favour with God.
Peter wondered how this would work out for the disciples who all had left everything they had, to follow Jesus. And this is where Jesus told them that every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for his name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Everlasting life for the faithful and loyal followers
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
To obtain everlasting life;
follow the right kind of profit Prophet
This blog is called ‘Live Forever how to.’ I go through the Bible to see where references are made to living for ever, everlasting life and eternal life. It is in the first book of the Gospels, in Chapter 19 of the Book of Matthew that Jesus refers to everlasting life. This is because someone plainly asks him what they need to do if they want to live forever. Jesus answers this person with very clear instructions; Keep the commandments, love one another, sell all your stuff, give to the poor, follow me. Jesus makes it blatantly clear that pursuing and enjoying ordinary riches on it’s own won’t get you there. That’s for sure.
If you want to be considered a candidate for the Good Afterlife, make sure that you follow the right kind of profit Prophet.
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ABOUT THE CONTENT – All content on this website is copyrighted and you can read more about this here. Please also read the disclaimer about my authority and qualifications.
ABOUT THIS BLOG – We’re researching the truth of living forever according to GOD’s Holy Word; Sola Scripture. Popular opinion tells us that everyone who ‘believes’ and has ‘faith’ will go to heaven. Is this true? I decided to ask the prophets about the truth of it all.
ABOUT SCRIPTURE CARDS – If you want to send free Scripture Cards to your friends click here and you want to buy hard copies of Scripture Cards you can click here. To download a free copy of my Story of Survival click here.
Everlasting life according to the Gospels
My last blogpost mentioned: God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. This week we’ll see what Jesus has to say about everlasting life in the Gospels.
This morning I listened to a podcast by Nehemia Gordon and Pastor A.J. Bernard. It was lovely to hear a Karaite Jew and Methodist Pastor in agreement about having the same Father walking along together in the journey of life and, for whatever reason, one has met the Son (been revealed to him) and the other one has not (yet?).
No biggie. In the end we’re all children of the same Father and what matters is what’s in our heart and how that manifests in our life. As far as I’m concerned that’s the end of arguments and discussions about different belief systems and world view. There’s a whole bunch of Torah Pearls that Nehemia has created with Methodist Pastor Keith Johnson and they are well worth listening to.
Everlasting Life in the Book of Daniel
Jesus repeatedly said that He came not to speak his own words but the words of His Father, and He always referred to Scripture. What I mean to say here is that Jesus did not make anything up himself. Whatever He spoke about was quoted from the prophets, as mentioned also last week where we quoted from the Book of Daniel,
Everlasting life in the Gospels
In the Book of Matthew
The first reference made in the Gospels to everlasting life is in Chapter 18 in the Book of Matthew,
Yikes, I find that scary. Isn’t the common perception that once we are resurrected, we’ll go to heaven (enter into life) and, regardless of our previous sins, we’ll all look like gorgeous sixteen year olds (minus the acne) and never look back?
Mmm, that is not what Jesus says here. Although some kind of transformation obviously takes place, having been resurrected.
When Jesus met with his Apostles after his crucifixtion we learn that He said to Thomas,
At that time, just days after His resurrection, Jesus’ wounds were clearly still showing. Mmm.
Everlasting fire.
My Bible teaching Pastor, whom I loved and adored, taught me that there is no everlasting fire.
Jesus said there is; so I looked it up. There’s no getting away from it. Jesus really said and meant everlasting fire.
How do I know that Jesus meant it? I know that for sure because in the Book of Matthew, Jesus did not refer to it just once, but he repeated his warning twice to make sure that we would really get it.
In the Book of Mark
In Book 9 of Mark Jesus gives us three warnings,
And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me,
it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck,
and he were cast into the sea.
And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off:
it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell,
into the fire that never shall be quenched:
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life,
than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out:
it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye,
than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
What we’ve just established here is that according to Jesus there is hell fire, and that is where you’ll end up if you cause offence. And particularly if you cause offence to a little child or newcomer to the faith.
What does it mean to cause offence?
What does it mean to cause offence? The varying Bible translations have translated as follows, ‘If your hand causes you to stumble,’ ‘If your hand causes you to sin or fall into sin,’ ‘If your hand causes your downfall,’ ‘If your hand causes subverts you,’ ‘If your hand causes you to lose your faith,’ ‘If your hand cause you to fall,’ and finally ‘If your hand scandalises you or serve as a snare to you.’
Don’t do the wrong thing
The first verse in the Gospels that refers to ‘everlasting life (enter into life)’ is immediately followed by a verse which refers to ‘everlasting fire.’
The warnings are very clear and specific. Don’t cause trouble with your hand, foot or eyes. With all your might, restrain yourself and do whatever is necessary to stop offending, even if this causes some kind of hurt or disability in your life. If you don’t restrain yourself and stop yourself from offending others or falling into sin, there’s a really hot place reserved especially for people just like you.
I believe that these verses also throw out of the window the doctrine of ‘once saved, always saved.’
Now what? If I make a blooper, and we all do, then what? Is that the end?
No, that is not the end. Our Father is a forgiving Father. And there are many instances in the Jewish Bible as well as in the Gospels were we are told that, feeling sorry about having made stupid mistakes, accounts for much.
The Book of Luke
In the Book of Luke we’re told that it is impossible to expect never to be offended. All I have to do is make sure that it is not me causing the offence!
This seems like a very hard thing to do. Especially considering that many believers defend their belief with all their might, misguided as we all at times may be. I have, unfortunately, offended people by telling Christian jokes such as the one told by Emo Philips which has been voted the funniest religious joke of all times.
If this joke was offensive to someone why would I give a link to it and refer to it and possibly cause offence again? Because the person who was offended by it, decided because of this joke, not to follow my blog any longer, and therefore won’t read about this again. And the joke simply points out the hypocrisy of certain believers. I posted the joke to say, ‘please don’t push me off the bridge just because I believe differently from how you may believe.’ And guess what? The first person who read the joke, pushed.
Jesus told parables and therefore I believe that it is fine to talk in parables at times to get certain points across. After the warning, about not causing offence, Jesus gives guidelines on how to deal with people who trespass. What does trespass mean? It means doing the wrong thing by people. It means to sin. It means to break God’s law.
It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck,
and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him;
and if he repent, forgive him.
And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day,
and seven times in a day turn again to thee,
saying, I repent;
thou shalt forgive him.
If people genuinely feel sorry about doing wrong and genuinely ask for forgiveness, we are to forgive them. How many times? A lot of times. Why?
Because we all make mistakes.
In the end it always comes down to just plain old loving each other. What do you reckon?
Here’s another reminder of what Love is all about. I have a huge soft spot for the Commandments because they spell it out so perfectly.
Next week we’ll have a look at the second time that ‘everlasting life’ is mentioned by Jesus.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG – We’re researching the truth of living forever according to GOD’s Holy Word; Sola Scripture. Popular opinion tells us that everyone who ‘believes’ and has ‘faith’ will go to heaven. Is this true? I decided to ask the prophets about the truth of it all.
ABOUT THE CONTENT – All content on this website is copyrighted and you can read more about this here. Please also read the disclaimer about my authority and qualifications.
ABOUT SCRIPTURE CARDS – If you want to send free Scripture Cards to your friends click here and you you want to buy hard copies of Scripture Cards you can click here. To download a free copy of my Story of Survival click here.
Raising people from the dead
I sit up and listen when someone is able to raise people from the dead. Jesus is that someone. Not only is He able to raise people from the dead but Jesus foretold his own crucifixion, resurrection and ascension into heaven. In my books that makes Jesus, together with His Father, the authority on living forever.
Then when Jesus brought his friend Lazarus back to life, he told Lazarus’ sister Mary the following:
Never die
I am the resurrection, and the life:
he that believeth in me, though he were dead,
yet shall he live:
And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.
Believest thou this?
I find this easy to believe because when death came knocking on my door, I called upon my Creator and His Son and they heard me. And they answered me. So, yes I am a believer.
ABC Scripture Cards
Last week we finished the free ABC Scripture Card series and you can find all the posts on Free Scripture Cards here and now we’re back looking at the occasions where ‘Living forever’ is mentioned in the Bible.
Living Forever
To find all the posts which have been written on living forever on this blog you can click here. So far I’ve noted all the occasions where the words ‘live forever’ have been mentioned. But that’s not all there is to it, obviously.
Nowadays we tend to think that ‘dead’ is well, yes ‘dead,’ gone, never to come back. There are some occasions mentioned in the news every now and then where people have been declared dead or buried prematurely but apart from that, in today’s news, we don’t really hear stories about people being brought back to life.
People brought back to life
The Jewish Bible mentions how prophet Elijah resurrected the son of of the widow in Zarephath. The Bible also mentions how prophet Elisha resurrected the son of the great Shunammite woman and how a dead man came back to life when he touched Elisha’s bones,
In the Gospels we’re told how Jesus resurrected the widow’s son at Nain, He raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead and also raised his friend Lazarus from the dead after he’d been already buried for four days.
Finally we read in the Gospels how Jesus rose from the dead.
Immediately after Jesus’ crucifixion we hear that
This had been foretold by the prophet Daniel and later also by jesus:
They shall come forth
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming,
in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
And shall come forth; they that have done good,
unto the resurrection of life;
and they that have done evil,
unto the resurrection of damnation
Everlasting life
Jesus, like the prophets Elijah and Elisha, raised people from the dead. Jesus spoke about everlasting life. He made at least a dozen references to everlasting life and we’re going to go through them one by one.
I am not the only person who thinks that Jesus and the Father are the authority on everlasting life. Scripture agrees.
Next week we’ll have a look at what Jesus had to say about everlasting life.
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ABOUT THE CONTENT – All content on this website is copyrighted and you can read more about this here. Please also read the disclaimer about my authority and qualifications.
ABOUT THIS BLOG – We’re researching the truth of living forever according to GOD’s Holy Word; Sola Scripture. Popular opinion tells us that everyone who ‘believes’ and has ‘faith’ will go to heaven. Is this true? I decided to ask the prophets about the truth of it all.
ABOUT SCRIPTURE CARDS – If you want to send free Scripture Cards to your friends click here and you want to buy hard copies of Scripture Cards you can click here. To download a free copy of my Story of Survival click here.
Thank you for visiting.
My name is Mimi and I am the editor of the Live Forever how to blog. Welcome and thank you for stopping by.
What is this blog about?
There is only one authority on living forever and to find out about eternal life I decided to go to The Authority. This blog is about the truth of it all according to Scripture, God’s Holy Word.
This may turn out to be different from what the different denominations, church doctrine and religious leaders tell us. It may not line up with the popular understanding of ‘everyone [sort of] goes to Heaven.’ Some common myths will be dispelled on this blog and any potential treading on toes will be unintentional. Don’t shoot the messenger, I’ll be merely quoting from Scripture and list together all the occasions where references are made to Living Forever.
There is only One who knows
There is only One who knows, Our Creator, and He wrote a manual. This manual is easily understood by the average layperson who has genuine interest and takes the time to read it, and this book really does not need a massive amount of interpreting. This howto manual is freely available to all of us and I’ll be quoting from this manual, which is also known as the Bible.
To view all posts so far on this topic click in the right column under ‘Categories’ the words ‘Live Forever.’
According to God’s Word
This blog is about living forever according to GOD’s Holy Word; Sola Scriptura. Not according to my own personal opinion or anyone else’s opinion either, but simply looking at what Scripture tells us about living forever. We all have an idea, or more accurately stated; we all have a personal opinion of some kind, of what Heaven is all about. But the intention of my blog is that I note wherever in the bible references are made to the words ‘living forever’ and variants thereof, so that eventually an understanding will emerge of the Truth of Living Forever according to Scripture.
Please don’t get me into trouble and read my disclaimer with regards to my authority on this subject.
Thank you LORD!
Over the past decade I’ve reflected on issues of life and death because of various close calls and because, days before he took his own life, my favourite cousin asked me, ‘How long do you expect to live for?’
I started this blog because … I am still alive!
Praise to GOD, thank you LORD for answering our prayers. Yep, GOD made me laugh alright! My entire life has been rebuild with the help of my faith and specifically GOD’s Word.
I doubt that I need credentials to be grateful and share with the people close to me, but I dug deep and found some just the same to share with anyone who wants to hear about my qualifications. I love nothing better than to share the joy, love and peace which my family and I enjoy because of the blessings of GOD’s Word. I truly am head over heels.
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ABOUT THE CONTENT – All content on this website is copyrighted and you can read more about this here. Please also read the disclaimer about my authority and qualifications.
ABOUT THIS BLOG – We’re researching the truth of living forever according to GOD’s Holy Word; Sola Scripture. Popular opinion tells us that everyone who ‘believes’ and has ‘faith’ will go to heaven. Is this true? I decided to ask the prophets about the truth of it all.
ABOUT SCRIPTURE CARDS – If you want to send free Scripture Cards to your friends click here and you want to buy hard copies of Scripture Cards you can click here. To download a free copy of my Story of Survival click here.
Live forever according to scripture
On this blog ‘live forever how to’ we’re going through the bible to see where the words, ‘live forever’ have been mentioned. I am no expert on this and that is precisely why I am going through GOD’s Word to see what the Expert on the subject has to say about eternal life.
I’ve so far recapped the posts on this subject twice. One on the twelfth of September and the other time on June twenty-fifth of this year. This is the third post where I am recapping all the posts on this subject. If you want to see all the posts that I’ve written so far this year on the words ‘Live forever’ you can also click on the categories list which can be found on the right hand side of the screen in the sidebar. This is where all the posts on living forever are bundled together in one long readout.
Recapping where in the bible the words ‘live for ever’ are mentioned.
This is where you can find all the ‘recapped posts’ bundled together.
And here is collection one and two and this is three.
The Lord is my shepherd
In Psalm 23 we’re told that the LORD is our shepherd and this is another occasion in the bible where we are assured that we can live for ever.
Yom Kippur – Day of Atonement
We learn that Yom Kippur is a Feast of The LORD and is to be celebrated forever throughout all generations in all our dwellings.
Some to everlasting life
The thirteenth time the words ‘live(th) for ever’ are used in the bible we read that about many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life. We also read about Him that lives forever. The book of life is mentioned and some that shall shine as stars for ever and ever.
Curious about seo
In the seo optimised article we read that Christians believe that everlasting life is promised to them who will accept Jesus as their saviour and to have everlasting life you must be born again. And we’re assured that everyone shall be rewarded according to their work.
What is GOD’s name?
There are many differing opinions on the subject of God’s name but it is my understanding that the meaning of the name Yehovah is, ‘He who was,’ ‘now is’ and ‘is to come.’ Sounds like forever to me.
The prophets, do they live forever?
The fourteenth time the word’s ‘live forever’ are mentioned in the bible is in the book of the prophet Zechariah where he writes, ‘Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live forever?’ And we realise that it is GOD’s words that truly live forever.
He that eateth of this bread shall live forever.
The fifteenth and sixteenth time that the words ‘live forever’ are mentioned is when Jesus promises his followers that he’ll raise them up at the last day.
Do you believe that you’ll live forever?
Many, if not most people believe that they’ll live forever, as is evident from the responses and tributes of the team mates of late batsman Phillip Hughes.
With GOD all things are possible … true story.
Someone asks Jesus how to obtain eternal life and He responds by saying, ‘If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.’ When prompted Jesus adds to this advice by saying, ‘If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.’ For various reasons I left everything I had behind and when in need received a big fat check in the mail … with GOD all things are possible.
The Word of GOD lives forever.
The seventeenth time that the words ‘live for ever’ are mentioned in GOD’s Word, it is pointed out to us that GOD’s Word lives forever.
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ABOUT THE CONTENT – All content on this website is copyrighted and you can read more about this here. Please also read the disclaimer about my authority and qualifications.
ABOUT THIS BLOG – We’re researching the truth of living forever according to GOD’s Holy Word; Sola Scripture. Popular opinion tells us that everyone who ‘believes’ and has ‘faith’ will go to heaven. Is this true? I decided to ask the prophets about the truth of it all.
ABOUT SCRIPTURE CARDS – If you want to send free Scripture Cards to your friends click here and you want to buy hard copies of Scripture Cards you can click here. To download a free copy of my Story of Survival click here.
SEO Optimised article
Beware the article below is seo (search engine optimised) and was written for this specific purpose by a guest writer.
Out of curiosity
Out of curiosity, to find out what the prevailing perception on the internet is with regards to eternal life, life everlasting and living forever, I asked an experienced seo writer to write me a 500 word article on the subject. Below is what came up. From this we can see that Christians like to hear and believe that God’s promises are true. Christians believe that everlasting life is assured to them who will accept Jesus as their savior. Christians believe that following Christ requires sacrifice, patience, and grace. And to have everlasting life you must be born again.
– This is the beginning of the seo optimised article –
God’s promises are true
Christians believe that God’s promises are true, and they come to pass. The scripture says; those people who have faith in Jesus Christ will attain an eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV) says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” It is wonderful to know that them who believe in Jesus Christ will live forever, long after leaving the earth.
Everlasting life is assured
Everlasting life is assured to them who will accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior. Christians should note that accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior has many challenges, and they ought to make hard choices and difficult decisions. Matthew 16:24, 25 (NIV) say; Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” Based on this scripture, you have to deny yourself the pleasures the world and follow Jesus Christ with all your heart. You have to emulate His way of life for you to live everlasting life.
Following Christ requires sacrifice, patience, and grace
Leaving our worldly life to follow Christ requires sacrifice, patience, and grace. But the reward for getting an eternal life outdoes the sacrifices. All the same, we need God’s grace in order to follow him wholeheartedly. It is clear in the scriptures that for man to live forever, it is by grace not by works. The Pharisees struggled to please God by bringing offerings yet they were ignoring the most important facets of great human existence like love and kindness. Matthew 23:23 (NIV) warns those who are after pleasing God with sacrifices like money and charitable works in order to live everlasting life. It clearly states; “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices- mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected the most important matters of the law- justice, mercy, and faith. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”
To obtain everlasting life you must be born again
Jesus Christ told Nicodemus that if you have to live everlasting life you must be born again. Nicodemus wondered how it was possible for an old man to go back to his mother’s womb to get eternal life. In John 3:4-6 (NIV) Nicodemus asked, “How can a man be born when he is old? Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” 5Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth; no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the spirit.6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the spirit gives birth to spirit.” This scripture outlays to us that to enter the Kingdom of God we should accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and savior. Being born again in this context refers to deserting our old sinful ways and accepting to follow righteousness for us to live forever.
– This is the end of the seo optimised article –
God’s promises are true and come to pass
God’s Word tells us that God’s promises are true and come to pass.
And yes we’re told that For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
However to think that this scripture verse stands on its own and that believe by itself will do is simplifying things a little. The seo article writer indeed goes on to clarify that more is expected of followers. James also puts it quite eloquently,
Thou believest that there is one God;
thou doest well:
the devils also believe, and tremble.
Obviously, as mentioned in the seo article, our behaviour will have to emulate Jesus’ walk in life or we’ll just be found out to be fakes.
Let us not love in word,
neither in tongue;
but in deed and in truth.
Jesus said that to obtain everlasting life one must be born again and he himself was baptised in his late twenties by his cousin John the Baptist. We’re supposed to walk as he walked.
Eternal life is not for sale
The seo article makes it very clear that eternal life is not for sale and cannot be bought with any amount of work or money when it states that, ‘It is clear in the scriptures that for man to live forever, it is by grace not by works.’
To be entitled to this grace Jesus tells us that we are to “practice the most important matters of the law- justice, mercy, and faith without neglecting the former.” With this Jesus tells us about the kind of behaviour expected from those who will be drawn by the Father.
For man to live forever
When Jesus was asked, ‘What to do to obtain eternal life,’ He told the story about the Samaritan. Jesus told the story about the Samaritan as an example of what is expected from people who may live forever. The Samaritan really went out of his way and worked hard to save a complete stranger.
According to research on the internet the Samaritans are also known as “Guardians /Keepers/ Watchers of the Law /Torah (from the Samaritan Hebrew: שוֹמְרִים Samerim), Jewish Hebrew: שומרונים Shomronim, Arabic: السامريونSāmeriyyūn) are an ethnoreligious group of the Levant, descended from ancient Semitic inhabitants of the region.
When Jesus answered the lawyer’s question on what needs to be done to obtain eternal life, Jesus did not say that to obtain eternal life we need to have grace and faith and not works, quite the contrary.
Jesus said something to the extent of, ‘To obtain eternal life we must love God with our whole being, love our fellow human beings and keep God’s commandments. In addition we must act like the Samaritan.’
So work does come into it. Work just cannot be used as a bribe.
Wow, how clear are those guidelines?
Also in the bible the whole of chapter two of James explains in minute detail how faith without works is dead.
Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone
O vain man, faith without works is dead …
by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
For as the body without the spirit is dead,
so faith without works is dead also.
Sure it is GOD who determines our destiny and we certainly rely on his grace for anything in this life and possible afterlife but if any of us were to think that everlasting life can be bought or is assured for some and that just grace is sufficient to swing those pearly gates in our favour, we may be in for a surprise. Jesus promises to reward everyone according to their works.
There is only one Judge
My curiosity is now satisfied and the above quoted seo article confirms to me that there are gaps in the knowledge on the public domain with regards to living forever and everlasting life.
Yes, we need faith and yes we need grace and yes we also need to work hard to remain in that grace and keep holding on to that faith.
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
There is only one Judge and when we meet at the pearly gates I pray that they’ll swing wide open for both of us.
It continues to be my prayer for my readers that you all may live forever!
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ABOUT THE CONTENT – All content on this website is copyrighted and you can read more about this here. Please also read the disclaimer about my authority and qualifications.
ABOUT THIS BLOG – We’re researching the truth of living forever according to GOD’s Holy Word; Sola Scripture. Popular opinion tells us that everyone who ‘believes’ and has ‘faith’ will go to heaven. Is this true? I decided to ask the prophets about the truth of it all.
ABOUT SCRIPTURE CARDS – If you want to send free Scripture Cards to your friends click here and if you want to buy hard copies of Scripture Cards you can click here. To download a free copy of my Story of Survival click here.
Thirteenth time the words ‘live(th) for ever’ are used
We’re going through the bible and finding out where the words ‘live for ever’ have been used and in what context. In chapter twelve of the book of Daniel the words live forever are mentioned for the thirteenth time in my bible. They are referred to in verses one, two and three and mentioned in verse seven where ‘a man clothed in linen’ swore by Him who lives for ever. I have copied and pasted the whole of chapter twelve so that these verses can be seen in context.
Chapter Twelve of the Book of Daniel
1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.
6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?
7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
Everyone found written in the book
Daniel the prophet lived during the sixth and seventh century BC when he prophesied that there would be a saviour of the people, ‘Michael’ who will deliver all people as found written in ‘the book.’ What book? The book of everlasting life?
Some awake to everlasting life
Some awake to everlasting life; not all but some. And some awake to shame and everlasting contempt. We discussed in an earlier post who the wise are, the ones that ‘shall shine as the brightness of the firmament’ and those that ‘shall understand.’
Daniel’s prophesy come true.
We know that some of Daniel’s prophecy has already come true because throughout history people have been raised from the death. There are a few accounts of resurrection such as by the prophet Elijah and by Jesus, who is also referred to as Michael (verse 1), where boys and girls and daughters and friends were resurrected and this of course includes Jesus resurrection also.
Him that liveth for ever
The promise is that if we genuinely follow Him who lives for ever, we will also.
We’re told to walk as He walked and Jesus said, ‘If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments.’
Daniel 12:3
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