A subject difficult to understand: ‘The subject is one of which the wisest man can only take in a little. We have no eyes to see it fully, no line to fathom it, no mind to grasp it; and yet we must not refuse to consider it…There are heights and depths about the subject of eternity which mortal man can never comprehend; but God has spoken of it, and we have no right to turn away from it altogether.’ (J.C. Ryle)

1. Our outward lives are wasting away

‘Change and decay in all around I see.’

Where are the ancient civilizations? Where are the heroes and statesmen of old? Where are our forefathers? They appeared on this planet for a brief moment, and then disappeared.

And we too: ‘the houses we live in, the homes we love, the riches we accumulate, the professions we follow, the plans we form, the relations we enter into, – they are only for a time.’ (Ryle)

Psalms 90:10 – ‘The length of our days is seventy years – or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.’

Our lives are like ‘a moth-eaten garment’ (Job 13:28); ‘a shadow’ (Psa 144:4); ‘a passing breeze’ (Psa 78:39); ‘grass’ (Psa 90:5); ‘a mist’ (Jas 4:14).

This knowledge should govern our whole approach to life. 1 Cor 7:29ff ‘What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.’

2. We fix our eyes on the unseen, eternal, world

Universal human experience testifies to the existence of a world to come. We are said to live in a very secular age, and religion generally is out of fashion. But the human spirit revolts against the idea that beyond the grave lies extinction.

The word of God testifies to the existence of a world to come. Dan 12:2 ‘Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.’

The ministry of Jesus testifies to the existence of a world to come. Jn 14:2 “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

There is a great reality which lies beyond the grave. And that reality is eternal. Because it is unseen, its existence is neglected (although seldom denied) by countless thousands. But it is real, none the less.

In eternity there will be a great separation between people. No longer will there be separation be on the grounds of race, or age, or gender, or social class, or income. But a separation there will be, nevertheless. There will be a division between two groups: the goats, and the sheep; the chaff, and the wheat; those who are in darkness, and those who are in the light; those who have faith, and those who are without faith; those who are with Christ, and those who are against him. There is no third group.

For the unbeliever, eternity is a dreadful prospect. To hear him who is the fountain of all goodness, and truth, and life, utter these aweful words, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Mt 25:41). Think on Heb 9:27 ‘Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.’

But for all who believe, eternity is full of promise. We shall see God face to face. We shall be with Christ. Psa 16:11, ‘You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.’ Col 3:2, ‘Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.’

‘Eternity to the godly is a day that has no sunset; eternity to the wicked is a night that has no sunrise.’ (Thomas Watson)

3. We should prepare in this present life for the life which is to come

This life is best seen as a period of probation, of preparation. What we sow in this life we shall reap in eternity. Mt 6:19f “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

Jn 6:27 ‘Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”‘

Your destiny depends on one thing alone: your relationship to Christ. Jn 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Jn 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”

To the unbeliever I say: while you have life, you have hope. God can change your destiny in a moment. Only believe!

And to the Christian I would say this: It is easy to lose heart and be tempter to give up. Maybe you’re facing problems that make you want to walk away. But don’t let tiredness, pain, or criticism divert you from your path. For that path leads to eternal life and to glory. Your very weakness allows the resurrection power of Christ to strengthen you moment by moment.