The Eternal Life Promised — Not Heaven Sorry!
The Traditional Narrative
It is the traditional mentality that compels most christian readers to fathom “eternal life” as an afterlife dimension reserved for believers, but this is not what Jesus is really promising. Although I believe in an afterlife dimension, I do not interpret “eternal life” as the concept mentioned previously. The problem with an afterlife mentality is that it neglects the value of living for Christ and exalts the value of dying for gain. Now Paul saw dying as means of gain but for himself. But Paul continued living for the sake of others in order for them to be edified in Christ (Philippians 1:21). But if Jesus were to emphasize afterlife insurance above a living sacrifice, it would weaken our motivation for good works in this life. As it is written,
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10 WEB).
There is a reason why Jesus did not emphasize the afterlife, because it becomes a distraction for the egoistic soul, hindering the mind from doing good works through a pure heart and faith. It becomes a potential obstacle which could suppress the motive of loving others. And the notion of perpetual hell induces fear and not love, which creates an egotistical and religious mentality. John wrote out of inspiration from God,
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).
So the notion of the afterlife should not be treated as a primary concern, since love and faith are the supreme concerns to a believer. And whoever walks with these two in mind will not stumble, because they recognize the importance of right intimacy with God and man. But those with unstable minds neglect these two traits of intimacy for ideas bearing no heavenly value.
The Eternal Life Is Now!
The ancient Greek word for “eternal” does not convey the same idea in English. It is “aiōnios” which conveys the idea of an age or sometimes used to convey an ancient age. It certainly is not perpetual but rather temporal. So is Jesus promising a temporal life? No! He is using ancient rhetoric that we use today. Here’s a good example: When men say, “this girl is hot,” they are not alluding to temperature but the quality of her appearance. In the same way, Jesus is speaking of a life that bears great quality. Now Jesus even gives insight into this mysterious saying,
“This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ” (John 17:3).
The Koine Greek word for “know” in this verse means personal experience. It is the word used like how a man knows his spouse (not as some theory but as direct experience). The Greek word is “ginóskó”. So Christ intended us to know God in a very personal way, which not only provides truth and fulfillment, but also life itself (1 John 2:27, John 16:13, Romans 14:17, & John 6:63). It is intimacy with God that truly reconciles and sanctifies the soul, even demonstrating complete synergy with both man and God. Intimacy with God belongs to all believers in Christ Jesus, even to the lost who do not know where they are yet (John 6:45).
The Early Church Father: St. Irenaeus
Many believers or church fathers walked with God in close intimacy (e.g. Ignatius, Clement, Polycarp). The church father Irenaeus spoke in detail about living in intimacy with God. Irenaeus once said,
“And to as many as continue in their love towards God, does He grant communion with [them]. But communion with God is life and light, and the enjoyment of all the benefits which He has in store” (Against Heresies: Book 5, Chapter 27).
The bracket that I implemented makes more sense in this quote, rather than the pronoun such as: ‘Him’. Because the first clause of the sentence focuses on God and His relationship with the saints, instead of God and His relationship with Jesus. So this is why I used “them” instead of “Him”. Obviously, Jesus is the source of these benefits like life and light (‘‘light’’ meaning clarity by revelation or purity by love).
The saint Irenaeus is an unknown figure to most Christians. Some ask, “Why in the world should we take his words as authoritative?” Firstly, his reasoning and writings line up with orthodox teaching of the New Testament. Secondly, he is a spiritual descendant of John the apostle. He was taught by Polycarp, who was taught by John the beloved (most intimate disciple of Jesus). It makes perfect sense that Irenaeus would articulate a mystical intimacy with God, because John the beloved was deep in this aspect of his faith. Irenaeus was also known for battling and refuting ancient heresies in his day. Irenaeus also said,
“It is not possible to live apart from life, and the means of life is found in fellowship with God; but fellowship with God is to know God and to enjoy His goodness” (Against Heresies: Book 4 Chapter 20:5).
Conclusion
There are tons of verses revealing the potential of mystical intimacy that all believers can have. These verses are often suppressed as knowing God by Scripture, or as past mystical experiences that have ceased, but both of these notions are blatantly false. Jesus promised that we would all know God, not in some other dimension but on earth and in the present. If God granted communion to early believers and believers throughout history, why would He not grant communion with believers today? Think about it.
