Eternity

[ChristianKitsune]

"Eternity is Long. Don't be wrong." Is a phrase I hear many times on my Local Christian Radio. It's a phrase that I often use for my Instant Messaging program as an online title...(MSN)

However, it wasn't until a few years ago, that I actually thought about what ETERNITY really means...

I remember sitting in my English class as a junior in high school reading a book for school when suddenly I got this idea in my head. "Wow, someday I am really gonna die! But I will not really die. My soul will live on FOREVER."

After that thought, I remember getting really shakey, and scared. Not a dreadful scared but a, "I can't believe this is really going to happen to me!" Scared.

Forever, Eternity, Ever lasting, Eternal. All these words describe what our time after we die will be. It's amazing to think about isn't it?

Like as humans, we know we are going to die...there will definately be an end. Nothing on this world lasts forever. What's it going to be like? What will happen when we do finally check out? What is going to be like to see the Gates of heaven? To watch non Christians be turned away? To see judgement day?

What is it going to be like to praise God for Eternity? What is it going to be like to throw parties for New Christians? What is it going to be like to welcome our fellow brothers and sisters Home?

In heaven there will be no more fears, tears or pain. Thinking of all this brings tears to my eyes. For I am a worry wart, I worry about death, about pain...It's hard for me to let that go...but In heaven I won't have to worry.

Won't it be amazing?

I guess the song "I can Only Imagine" really really rings true here. I can only imagine what that day will be. When I see His face before me. I can only imagine what I will do, when I stand before Jesus.

I know we aren't supposed to dwell on it...but it's so amazing to just pause...and think...and quake in the amazingness of God.

Sorry for the Rant, I am not sure where this should really go...Because I want to knwo...what do you guys think about Eternity? What are your thoughts?

And no debating I didn't start this to debate... If you start to get agitated...take it to pm. Kthnx.

[Raiden no Kishi]

Well, I don't care for the song "I Can Only Imagine" [just personal taste ~ I'm not big on most of what the local Christian stations play], but the idea of being immortal is pretty dang cool.

I think I'll finally have enough time to learn to draw, play any instruments I want, as well as anything else that strikes my fancy. Nice.

.rai//

[Anna Mae]

I can relate. Many times I have sat down and attempted to ponder eternity. It is indeed exciting!

It would be terrible to live without that hope, and what is more, to then spend eternity in separation from God. To me, it is a big motivator to reach out to those who do not know God's love.

[mitsuki lover]

Eternity was the name of a magazine that no longer is published.

Ok,but to get on topic:
Since we do not know what Eternity is like we cannot even grasp what it will be like.

[spiritusvult]

Well, this one caught my eye. I think thinking about God and spending eternity with Him is the one of the best thoughts I have. It feels me with this deep sense of peace and that everything, in the end, will be just fine.

Of course I've got a bunch of theological theories about the matter, but in the end, it's all speculation. Personally, after all is said and done, I like imagining myself in the throne room of God and singing before my Savior! What could be better than that? I can't think of anything, but if there is such a thing, I'm sure God's got it planned and ready for me. That just makes me smile.

We will never die, never cry, never stub our toes again. We will smile, laugh, leap for joy and be filled with love for all things and everyone.

"What a day that will be."
--Phil Keaggy

[ChristianKitsune]

yeah the song is overplayed but when it was just put out there it was awesome ^_^v

ANYWAY yes, the other side of the coin is really scary, it also motivates me too. I mean...goosh. all these people here on earth who aren't Christians are living their lives...and that's it for them. No happines...no joy... they will fee the total opposite of we will feel, and that's a really horrible though isn't it?

[rocklobster]

yes. I totally agree, CK. But remember what I said about Divine Mercy. Also, here's something else to ponder:
"This life is just a test. If it were real, you'd have been given instructions on where to go, and what to do."

[RedMage]

Also, here's something else to ponder:
"This life is just a test. If it were real, you'd have been given instructions on where to go, and what to do."

Last I checked, we were.

[ICE-rocks]

Eternity has been on my mind since I can remeber.
I just can't imagine an eternity of peice after living on this earth.

[AsianBlossom]

Maybe you can't imagine it because we're not really supposed to understand things we can't see; just accept them, I mean. It's scary, sure, but it'll be so much more awesome when you actually get there.

For weeks, our church was undergoing renovation and we were all crammed into the social hall for Mass. We were all wondering, "What's the church going to look like?" In fact, I was even a little scared myself, because even though the decor of our church was kind of dated, it was still warm and welcoming. Well, last night (we're going this morning instead; the parking lot was totally crammed in as we were driving by it), the first Mass in the new church (the Palm Sunday vigil Mass) was celebrated with everyone starting out in the social hall and processing into the church. I'll guarantee that many of them were just oohing and aahing about everything. Most of them hadn't seen it, and when they finally saw it, they were all amazed.

Sorry if I was ranting, but I thought maybe this story might have some relevance, if any at all, to this topic. But anyways...

I'm pretty sure that God doesn't turn away all of those who are not Christian due to no fault of their own. It's those who choose to turn away from God through their own personal choices that are themselves turned away from Heaven.

[Warrior4Christ]

I'm pretty sure that God doesn't turn away all of those who are not Christian due to no fault of their own. It's those who choose to turn away from God through their own personal choices that are themselves turned away from Heaven.

The Bible makes it clear that we have all turned away from God, and some, by His mercy, have turned back to Him.

I sometimes ponder what it would be like to not have the hope we have of eternity; no joy... scary. It is a good motivator.

[AsianBlossom]

For sure...for sure...it's true incentive.

(But if you don't know and it's not your fault you don't know, you can't really be held accountable; so long as you were searching for the truth and made an honest attempt to find it...but I shouldn't be putting conditions on anything God has said)

[ChristianKitsune]

Did God say that? O_O; I thought he said in John 14:6 "I am THE way, and THE truth and THE life. No one goes to the father EXCEPT THROUGH ME."

[AsianBlossom]

Yes, He did say that. But you must remember: God is all merciful and compassionate; it's not very merciful at all if someone is condemned and they didn't know any better, now is it? "Jesus said to them [the Pharisees], "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying 'We see,' so your sin remains."" (John 9:41) In other words, He's saying that those who do not know the truth cannot really be held accountable for their sins, but those who do know are to be held accountable and should repent. So yes, Jesus is the only way to the Father, but God's mercy is more powerful than His awesome justice. Now, I'm not saying that they're going to be directly admitted to Heaven (that's what Purgatory is for; it cleanses away any impurities and purifies us for Heaven), but they're not going to be completely shunned from God's presence for the rest of eternity just because they didn't know any better.

There's also something called the Baptism of Desire. Desiring to do the right thing and what is good, especially if you are searching for the truth but haven't found it, is sort of a "baptism" in a sense. It does not leave an official mark on one's soul like the one made by the Baptism of Water, but it's at least something, and God wants us to at least try to do our best, whether we have the truth or are searching for it. (And if we happen to find the truth while still alive, we are still required to be officially baptized.)

[jorvaa]

It still boggles my mind as much as it did when I was younger whenever I think about eternity. I suspect it will boggle me even in heaven (please God I get there).
I cannot imagine what heaven will be like, but I trust that there I will be the happiest I could ever be.
Annnd it'll be nice not to have to worry, lol.

[AsianBlossom]

So true.

[uc pseudonym]

I hate to begin this post with something administrative, but... the discussion of salvation needs to end. That's one of the classic theological issues that might lead to debate among Christians.

Personally, I think it may not be possible to properly conceive of eternity in the Christian sense. I believe (or perhaps just hope) that in passing from this life will be transformed. Being immortal would be a terrible thing if we were not, as ennui sets in and life grows monotonous. Though imagery of clouds or singing can illustrate the hope of heaven, I certainly hope that reality is beyond that.

[rocklobster]

Yes, I agree, uc. So let me say this: We are not meant to understand, folks. That is the price for eating the Forbidden Fruit too early.

[Zarn Ishtare]

Forever in the presence of God.


Forever in the presence of unending love and worship.


Eternity without sin.

Eternity without Pain.

Eternity Triumphant, Eternity In Christ, Eternity In Love.

It is something to bring tears to the eyes and longing to the heart of any christian.

[AsianBlossom]

I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to go too far...but sometimes you just hear something that doesn't sit too well with what you know, and well...

Again, I am deeply sorry.

[Zilch]

Anytime I think about eternity, this little part of brain burns out from trying to calculate it (it's this funny little vibrating feeling that sends shivers down my spine).

Eternity is something that, as other have said before, motivates you in this timed period of history, and makes you see how meaningless a lot of the things we fill our time with. The clock ticks, and it's both an exciting and for some, completely frightening sound. That's why a lot of non-Christians just run around like chickens with their heads chopped off, trying desperately to numb their knowledge that an end will come eventually. On the other hand, we can use our knowledge of eternity so it becomes a source of joy for us and hope for the unbeliever so they can join in our joy.

*chuckles* Wow, I usually don't post this long...

[mitsuki lover]

Because the human mind is unable to grasp the concept of Eternity everything that we read about heaven and hell in the Bible has to be seen as a metaphore for something that is far better or far worse than what we ultimately could imagine.
For example when Revelation and other parts of the Bible describe New Jerusalem/Heaven as having gates and walls they are really illustrating that in Heaven we will be safe in the presence of God.They don't mean that there will be
literal gates and walls.
Contrawise when it discribes the damned suffering in Hellfire it doesn't necessary mean that there will be actual fire,but should be seen as a metaphore for the
Wrath of God that condemns them to their suffering along with their own Conscious.

[Sapphire225]

I can't imagine eternity, but to know that I'll be in a place free from sorrow, pain and stress is awsome. To be an immortal in heaven would be any christian's highest priority, including me. To see my deceased family, meet the angels, my saviour, and my Father is what makes me jumps for joy. I almost feel bad for those who don't believe, because they may never experience this and I think some are given many warnings in their lives. To see some of the people who don't believe and those who claim to be christians but fail to live to the name go to hell frightens me. But sadly, most had a chance to change and to believe but ignore the warning signs in the road of life, leading them to a world of pain. It frightens me that I could have been one of those people going to the bad destination.

I'm glad I was saved again and given another chance in life. When I pass, I hope to have no regrets and to help save others, since others have helped to save me.