Eternity is the continuation of or existence of life after death. It is the life we enter into immediately we die. There is only a fragment of seconds between life and death and as soon as a man dies he enters into his eternity. Eternity will take place in two places: eternal life in heaven with God or endless life in eternal flame of fire in hell.
There is one thing that makes eternity different, this one thing makes life after death very fearful.
In eternity there is nothing like change.
Does that sound simple in your ears? Oh maybe! You see there is absolutely nothing like change in eternity. In the dictionary of heaven the word “change” has no meaning.
None of the things of this world is permanent. Season comes and season goes. There is a time for the sun and a time for the moon, a time for rain and a time for the dry sky. There is a time for cool weather and a time for the hot weather. Everything happens in its appointed time. That is what Ecclesiastes 3:1 says.
But eternity is completely different. Eternity is not measured by time and season. Life after death is not subject to a mere thing like time and season. If you meet eternity in a bright and glorious atmosphere, that is how you will live in it for ever. And if you enter heaven to find a place full of darkness and terror, there will be no change whatsoever even after you have lived a thousand years in it.
On earth no condition is permanent. Someone who cries today may laugh tomorrow. Sadness may not last forever in a man’s life on earth. Scripture says blessed is the man who sows in tears for he will reap in joy. A poor man today can be the richest of all tomorrow. A sick person today may be completely healthy tomorrow. There is always a hope for a better tomorrow for a man who is still living on earth. But as soon as a man enters into eternity, all conditions will remain permanent forever. A sad man in eternity will remain sad forever and a happy man in heaven will forever remain happy in the bosom of his Lord.
Jesus talks about worms in hell. Worms are feeble creatures, they have no bones. The weakest man on earth can kill twenty earthworms with his feet at a time. But even worms in eternity will not be subject to change.
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. Mark 9 43-44
Forever is not for a hundred years. Forever is not for a thousand years. Forever is forever. Eternity is infinity. Eternity is an endless existence. On earth the time to repent is now but in eternity there’s no time even for repentance. Afterlife there is no decision making. You can only make your decision now that there is still time for change.
Either we are aware of it or not, every day as we live our lives we are preparing and making decision about where we’ll spend our eternity. Always remember that every moment of your life is an opportunity to stay close to God and remain loyal to Him alone.
