As far as eternity is concerned, the greatest gift to humanity is the gift of eternal life. Eternity is God’s endless existence. In other words, God is eternal because He is the only One who exists without beginning or end. Nothing on this earth is eternal except God and the heavenlies.
This is why one of His names is the Eternal God. As the Eternal God, He desires that humanity, whom He created in His own image, should be a partaker of this divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). He loves mankind so much that He wants to dwell with him forever in heaven. To fulfill this plan, He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, into the world. Jesus died and rose again on the third day. These wonderful events make it possible for anyone to receive eternal life through faith in the Lord Jesus. This is exactly as it is written:
“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.” — John 3:16
Eternal life is God’s life residing in the believer. In other words, it is the Spirit of God dwelling in the heart of a believer (Ephesians 1:17; 3:17). Amazingly, as precious as eternal life is, it is a free gift from God. No one can buy it with money, nor can it be earned by self-righteousness. The only way to receive it is through faith in the Lord Jesus. Thanks be unto God that He made this offer available to everyone free of charge; otherwise, the rich would have hijacked it and made it extremely difficult for the poor to afford.
God is good. He is a generous and loving Father. When anyone receives eternal life, though he dies, he shall live again, and the second death will have no power over him. Instead, he will spend eternity with God in paradise. This is the kind of life that Jesus offers to everyone who believes in Him:
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” — John 10:28
However, this eternal life does not fully manifest while a believer is still living in the physical body. He must die, and through death, he is transformed into a living spirit by the Spirit of God who dwells in him. This is why the Bible says:
“But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you.” — Romans 8:11
Again, it says:
“For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom He will.” — John 5:21
The death and resurrection of Jesus serve as an example for every true believer who dies. He was raised from the dead to life; therefore, everyone who believes in Him shall also be raised to eternal life. However, flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Only through death can the body be changed. The Bible likens this process to a seed planted in the soil, which must die before it brings forth new life (1 Corinthians 15:36, 44, 50). This is how a believer’s death occurs: the corruptible body (the physical body) is put off, while the incorruptible body (the spiritual body) is put on by the Spirit of God, to spend eternity with God in paradise (1 Corinthians 15:36–44, 50).
For Christians, therefore, death is only a short passage or transition into eternity to be with the Lord. Unfortunately, death is the most dreadful and powerful phenomenon on earth. It cannot be resisted, only submitted to when it comes. Truly, everyone fears death because no one knows exactly where he or she goes after death, nor can anyone return to tell the story. Moreover, seeing a dead body placed in a coffin and lowered into a sealed grave is far more dreadful than merely talking about it. Death is a supernatural phenomenon whose occurrence and power are beyond human comprehension and solution. But thanks be unto Jesus, who has conquered death:
“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 15:55–57
Therefore, as Christians, we are not to fear death, because it is the fastest passage into eternity to be with the Lord. Christ is always ready to receive us in death. He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). He has already assured us that in our Father’s house are many mansions and that He will take us to be with Him in heaven (John 14:2–3).
This means that even though a true believer dies, is placed in a sealed coffin, buried, and the grave covered, he or she shall live again. Hallelujah! This is our unfailing hope in Christ. There is no more fear of death. Instead, we rejoice because we shall be with the Lord forever—where unending love, joy, righteousness, and hope are found. This is why eternal life is the greatest gift for everyone on earth. Anyone who does not have eternal life faces death and hell as final destruction.
Therefore, while you are still alive and have the opportunity, receive eternal life into your heart by believing in the Lord Jesus. Do not delay, because you do not know what tomorrow holds. It may be too late. God truly loves you. The things of this world cannot earn you eternal life, nor can self-righteousness. It is only by faith in Christ. Know that there is no repentance after death; salvation is available now (Hebrews 9:27).
God is calling you now:
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” — Isaiah 1:18
“(For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” — 2 Corinthians 6:2
What you should do now is to confess your sins and believe that Jesus is Lord—that He died and was raised to life by God. Receive Him as your Lord and Savior. Now you have received eternal life. Glory to God!
There is full assurance of salvation for you according to this Scripture:
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” — Romans 10:9–10
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