ETERNAL LIFE AS EXPERIENCED IN THE PRESENT AND FUTURE

John compared the lifting up of the serpent in the wilderness to the lifting up of the Son of Man on the cross and His exaltation to heaven. People who respond to Christ by constant trust have eternal life:

John 3:14-15 (KJV)
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,
even so must the Son of man be lifted up{Grk=exalted on high}:
{15} That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

They have healing from something more deadly than snakebite--the destructive effects of sin. Here eternal life involves a present healing, a present reality. But John 3:16 refers both to the present and the future:
John 3:16 (The Amplified Bible)
"Now God so greatly loved the world ;
that he even gave up his only-begotten and unique Son,
that everyone believing or trusting in him should not come to destruction
but should be having eternal and everlasting life."

Perishing is contrasted with having eternal life. "Eternal life" here is both present and future and is the alternative to "perishing."

Christ defined His true sheep as those who hear or listen to His voice and follow Him (John 10:27). To such disciples, He gives eternal life, and they will not perish (John 10:28). Again, no presumption is possible. Those are secure who persistently listen, hearken, and follow. For such people eternal life is both a present and a future reality.

John 10:25-29 (KJV)
Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not:
the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
{26} But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
{27} My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
{28} And I give unto them eternal life;
and they shall never perish, neither shall any one pluck them out of my hand.
{29} My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all;
and no one is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

Eternal Life as a Future Experience

"What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" the rich young ruler asked. (Mark 10:17; compare Matt 19:16; Luke 18:18). He saw eternal life as a final inheritance. His earnestness moved Jesus, and Jesus loved this young man (Mark 10:21). But he had to make a decision: Would he follow Jesus without his possessions? (Mark 10:22). He answered, "No." He could not part with his possessions first and then follow Jesus.

Mark 10:21-23 (KJV)
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him,
One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast,
and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven:
and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
{22} And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved:
for he had great possessions.
{23} And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples,
How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

In Matthew 19:27 Peter asked Jesus, "What then shall be to us?" The disciples had left their dear ones and their possessions to follow Jesus. Jesus promised them loved ones and lands (possessions) with persecutions. Then He added: "And in the coming age, eternal life" (Mark 10:30). Eternal life here refers to an unending future reality.

In John 12:20-26 Jesus spoke about His death and what it meant to be a disciple:

John 12:25 (AMP)
The one loving his life will lose it;
but the one hating his life in this world
will preserve his life forever and ever.

Jesus here contrasted eternal life with the present life. Believers are to guard their persons or souls by serving Christ and following Him (John 12:26). Such servants will be where Christ is, and the Father will honor them (John 12:26). To be where Christ is means to come into eternal life--a life freed from sin or moral evil.

John 12:26 (KJV)
If any man serve me, let him follow me;
and where I am, there shall also my servant be:
if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

And as Paul declared, that "the one sowing to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit" (Gal. 6:8). Eternal life is given by Jesus and the Holy Spirit. This future reality, already experienced to some limited degree in the present, involves the Father, Son, and Spirit. Fellowship in life eternal means fellowship with the Triune God.

Gal 6:7-9 (KJV)
Be not deceived; God is not mocked:
for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
{8} For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption;
but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
{9} And let us not be weary in well doing:
for in due season we shall reap,
if we faint not.

God's blessings to each of you,
rECj/LJG

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