Book022

The new creation

Life after death

Let us start with two quotations from the New Testament; they can give us some light on a matter about which, without revelation, we wouldn't know anything.

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to his glorious body, according to the working by which he is able even to subdue all things to himself (Philippians 3:2-21).

For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked (2 Corinthians 5:1-3).

Jesus' greatest revelation

If we believe that Jesus was a prophet of God and that he revealed to us some of the mysteries of God, we should agree that one of the greatest revelations he made was the truth of eternal life. He taught that those who believe in him, will be invited to share the life and glory of God, and in some of his parables he suggested a more universal call. Besides this, there is a message throughout the Scripture that salvation is for all, as in Acts, where Peter said: In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation whoever fears him and works righteousness is accepted by him (Acts 10:34-45. See also Deuteronomy 10:17).

Although my prayer Eternal life in God, and my document Living in peace and trust in the love of God, will give some perspective, in order to have some balance regarding hope in eternal life. See both documents, at the end, here and here.

Mysteries of faith

Mysteries are divine realities revealed by God to mankind. We may believe them only by faith. There are no proofs of any kind for the mysteries of faith; they are believed, taken for granted. When we talk about sharing in the life of God, we are talking about a mystery of faith.

Christian faith reveals to us the existence of this mystery; this is a new creation, a new "world," distinct from the physical world. For Christians, the existence of another "world" is not just possible, but real; faith makes it real.