“Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” — John 17:3 (BSB)
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man… He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain…’” — Revelation 21:3–4 (BSB)
“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you reap leads to holiness, and the outcome is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 6:22–23 (BSB)
“And so we will always be with the Lord.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:17 (BSB)
Everlasting life is the ultimate gift of grace. In it, the faithful will behold God face to face, rejoice in perfect worship, and share in the love of the Triune God without end. It will be a life of joy, beauty, and purpose, in the restored creation where righteousness dwells. Sin, sickness, and sorrow will be no more. It is not a vague hope, but a certain promise, grounded in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is the “firstfruits” of those who sleep.
Article XVII of the Thirty-Nine Articles teaches that those who are called according to God’s purpose “shall be made like the image of His only Son… to walk religiously in good works, and at length, by God’s mercy, they attain to everlasting felicity.” Eternal life is not earned—it is the outcome of God’s electing love and saving work.
Bishop J.C. Ryle wrote, “The best of believers only see the beginning of eternal life on earth. Its fullness lies ahead. Heaven is a real home, with real people, real joy, and Christ Himself at the center” (Practical Religion, 1878).
Rev. Dr. Joel Scandrett (Trinity School for Ministry) explains, “Everlasting life is not merely future reward; it is present communion that will one day reach its fullness. Eternal life is life with God—now in faith, then in glory” (Anglican Catechism in Depth, 2020).
Canon Dr. John Yates III (Falls Church Anglican, ACNA) writes, “The life everlasting is not boring, static survival. It is abundant, purposeful life in a redeemed creation, lived face to face with the risen Lord” (Catechesis Forum, 2021).
Archbishop Laurent Mbanda (Primate of Rwanda) says, “The promise of eternal life gives courage to persevere now. Whatever trials we endure, they are nothing compared to the joy set before us in the Kingdom of God” (Synod Address, 2022).
Bishop Julian Dobbs (Diocese of the Living Word, ACNA) teaches, “Our hope is not just that we will live, but that we will live with Christ, transformed, restored, and fully alive in a world made new” (Easter Homily, 2021).
To believe in “the life everlasting” is to be anchored in hope. It is to live with eternal perspective, to die without fear, and to look forward with joy to the return of Christ and the restoration of all things.
St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130–202 AD): “The glory of God is man fully alive, and the life of man is the vision of God. In the resurrection, we shall see Him and live forever.” — Against Heresies, IV.20.7
St. Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 313–386 AD): “The life everlasting is the crown of faith, the joy of the saints, and the triumph of the righteous. There, the soul shall be satisfied in the presence of God.” — Catechetical Lectures, 18.22
St. Justin Martyr (c. 100–165 AD): “We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come, not as a vague hope, but as a sure promise of God to all who believe.” — Dialogue with Trypho, 117
An Anglican Catechism (Expanded) offers over 350+ Scripture-based answers to the core truths of the Christian faith. Each entry includes biblical texts, theological insight, and reflections from historic and contemporary Anglican voices. Rooted in the classical tradition, it is designed for teaching, discipleship, and spiritual formation.
An Ancient Worship Movement invites readers into the rich, historic worship of the early Church rediscovered through the Anglican tradition. This book calls believers into a deeper, Spirit-filled encounter with Christ through timeless practices.
St. Thomas Church
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St. Thomas Church is a Church planting movement in ancient tradition.
