ETERNITY EXPLAINED

"Eternity" is one of the most controversial words in the Bible. To

many, it is thought to be the realm where time goes on and on, nonstop, ad infinitum, into which one enters after death. Based upon
decisions affiliations, and actions made in this life on earth, it is
supposed one irreversibly fixes his destiny for all eternity. The few
who make heaven strum their harps and walk streets of gold with
Jesus and all the happy saints. The vast multitudes who miss
heaven, enter an eternal hell of burning torment and anguish. These
notions which has shaped mans and the churchs views of God,
have motivated some to embrace religions answers whereas others
turn to atheism. Still others are left neutralized and confused over
whether God is a God of love, power, and mercy, or of hate,
ineptitude, and vindictiveness.
Our Object
The object of this writing is to examine the work "eternal" to show
where it is used in scripture and to look at the Greek and Hebrew
words from which it is derived. The word "eternal" which applies to
the nature of God, will be contrasted with the word "age lasting"
derived from the Greek word "aeonios," referring to the time periods
for accomplishing the purposes of God. A clear understanding of
these words reveals a truly sovereign, wise, and just God of love
whose plan in creation and redemption knows no failure.
Words Synonymous To "Eternal"
The words "forever" and "everlasting," and the phrase "forever and
ever" are used throughout scripture as synonyms for the
word "eternal. Wesbsters Dictionary defines "eternal" as "of infinite
duration," "everlasting," "timeless," "perpetual,"and "immutable."
Rom.1:16 describes the Godhead as "eternal," here translated from the
Greek word "aidios." "Eternal" is an excellent adjective for God. Clearly
He has no beginning nor end. He neither sleeps for ages. It matters
not what men nor devils say nor do. He continues steadfast in His
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plan and purpose. He is perpetual and never changes. With God

there is "no variableness, neither shadow of turning" Jas.1:17. His
fore- knowledge is perfect. "Known unto God are all His works from
the beginning of the ages" Ac.15:18.
The Problem
For the last three centuries, the King James Version has been the
most prominent and revered translation of the Bible. Indeed the bold
acclamation, "Praise God, the Bible says what it means and means
what it says," has been used to cement the veracity of its words
regardless of their individual accuracy. Consequently, many have
overlooked otherwise obvious mistakes regarding the uses of certain
words. The KJV is not infallible, nor is it the object of our worship.
Rather we are to worship King Jesus and allow Him to lead us into all
truth, even when that means a revision in our thinking about the
Bible, whether the King James or another version.
Some Obvious Errors
For example, in the Old Testament the old covenant of the law is
referred to as the "everlasting covenant" (Lev.24:8) implying that it
was to endure for eternity. Yet the New Testament records that the
first covenant was "done away" and "abolished"2Cor.3:11,13. God
"has made the first old" Heb.8:13. Either God is confused, or else
translators have rendered the text inaccurately. Since the former
cannot be true, it is incumbent upon us to search out the exact
meanings of words and to find the answers to such discrepancies.
The Aaronic priesthood is spoken of as "an everlasting priesthood" Ex.
40:15. If "everlasting" means "eternal," then the direct descendants of
Aaron and only they, would be allowed to function as priests, and
this for all time. Yet Heb.7:14-18declares an end to the Aaronic
priesthood and a new priesthood after the order of Melchizedek.
Peter describes the church as "a spiritual house, an holy priesthood"
(1Ptr.2:5), a statement which John confirms when he writes that by
Jesus blood the church has been cleansed from sin and made "kings
and priests unto God" Rev.1:6. Thus in the above Exodus reference,
"ever-lasting" cannot possibly mean "everlasting."
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The children of Israel were to "observe the Sabbath throughout their

generations, for a perpetual covenant" Ex.31:16. Yet Paul states there
remains "another day" of Sabbath rest for people of God" Heb.4:8,9.
Though translators may have used the word "perpetual," the Holy
Spirit disproves this choice of words, exposing it as incorrect.
The misuse of words expressing "unlimited duration" when specific
time periods were intended is most obvious in the following cases.
Jonah was not in the fishs belly "forever" Jon.2:6. A bondslave could
not possibly serve his master "forever"Ex.21:6. God did not dwell in
Solomons temple "forever" 1Kg.8:13.
The Hebrew word from which the aforementioned "everlasting,"
"perpetual" and "forever" were translated, is "olam." Wilsons Old
Testament Word Studies by William Wilson, gives the meaning
of "olam" as "duration of time which is concealed or hidden." In other
words, an unknown length of time. Though it may have been a very
long or even indeterminable period of time, the sense that it would
come to an end was always there. This concurs with our New
Testament texts which confirm that indeed these established
practices were abolished and replaced with something better. The
King James translators would have been more accurate to record
that the old covenant and its priesthood were for an "age of time."
Jesus Definition
Essential to our understanding of the New Testament scriptures is a
clear perception of what eternity and how the word "eternal" differs
from the word from which it is translated. It is generally preached
that eternity is a state of being into which Christians enter upon
physical death and that eternal life describes the life the believer
receives from God. But nowhere in the scriptures is a Greek word
meaning "eternal" used to describe the life God gives to a
Christian. This is proven by Jesus Himself in His one and only
definition of the life He gives. For the purpose of clarity, we will
insert the original Greek word "aeonios" for the translators word
"eternal." Jesus said, "Now this is aeonios life: that they may know
you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have
sent" Jn.17:3. Clearly this life has nothing to do with eternity, but is a
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quality of relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ who brings us into a
present knowledge and experience with God our Father.
An Impossible Interchange
Equating aeonios life to eternal life is an impossibility. "Aeonios" and
"eternal" are words having totally different meanings. They are not
interchangeable. Jesus who should be our sole authority, describes
aeonios life as a dynamic relationship, the outcome of which is
growth and change. Although the adjective "eternal" is appropriate
for God, it is certainly inappropriate for the believers life in God,
because though God is of "infinite duration, everlasting, timeless,
perpetual and immutable" (the definition from Websters
Dictionary quoted earlier), the believerss life is one of continuous
change over aeons of time. This process begins in the spirit of the
believer and requires time to be completed. A Christian may
commonly speak of and desire to have eternal life, but it hardly
seems possible that he should want eternal life now or upon death,
until he is totally and perfectly conformed to the image of Jesus
Christ.
Lets Look At "Aeonios"
To understand this better, we must know about the word "aeonios."
The Greek adjective "aeonios," for which so many translations
mistakenly use the word "eternal" is derived from the noun "aeon."
"Aeon" means "age" or "ages," as in "the mystery which has been hid
from ages and generations" (Col.1:26), or in "the ages to
come" Eph.2:7. These ages are time periods having a beginning and
an end. In the study of grammar, it is an indisputable law that an
adjective can have no different or greater meaning than the noun
from which it is derived. For example, the adjective "monthly" could
only be derived from the noun "month," not "hour," "day," or
"week." Aeonios life can only mean a life pertaining to an age or
ages of time (Heb.1:3 Ampl.) because "aeonios" is derived from
"aeon." Hence, the misapplication of the word "eternal," implying
timelessness, when periods or portions of time are meant, obscures
rather than proclaims Gods magnificent plans for man.
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Gods Purpose In The Ages

Understanding the uniform meaning of "aeon" and of its adjectival
form "aeonios," reveals the majestic and sovereign wisdom of God in
His purpose for all creation. The aeons past, present, and future are
not Gods "hit and miss" attempts at getting a few loyal subjects to
obey Him. Instead the aeons are the womb out of which God brings
forth people to accomplish His purposes. In ages past God called not
only the Israelites, but also idol worshipping Egyptians and Assyrians
to be His servants. Those ages were the periods of their coming to
know about God and learning obedience to His ways. The present
church age is a unique time in which other people redeemed and
appointed according to Gods purpose and grace before the aeonios
times began
(2Tim.2:9), are being birthed and nurtured, these unto the new
covenant relationship of sons and daughters.
Those so privileged are the "ekklesia" or "called out" people who are
known as the church. Their initial salvation experience commenced
when they were "born again." In this spiritual regeneration they
received the Holy Spirit of promise (Eph.1:3), the earnest or down
payment toward their inheritance. While partaking of aeonious life,
i.e. growing in the knowledge and love of God, these people
ultimately mature to the measure of the stature of the fullness of
Christ (Eph.4:13), and find themselves perfect and entire wanting
nothing (Jas.1:4). When perfectly conformed to the image of Jesus
Christ (Rom.8:29), they shall have their inheritance which is being
like God-Gen.1:26. For them the work of the aeons will have been
completed.
Traditional Objections Unmasked
With every progression of new understanding, it is quite normal for
there to be objections. Loyalists to creeds and tradition will be the
most adamant objectors for they have deeply ingrained within their
minds, that the believer has eternal life. It is clear that such is not
the case, because one in a state of timeless immutability, or
eternality, is disqualified from Gods purpose in creating man. Gods
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creative processes require repentance and change. Since God says,

"I change not" (Mal.3:6), then it is Gods children who change.
Scripture states, "we shall (future tense) be like Him for we shall see
Him as He is." 1Jn.3:2. The ages exist in order that during them we
may with our eyes on Jesus, go from glory to glory and faith to faith2Cor.3:18.
Aeonios Life---Aeonios Punishment
The most common objection arises with the realization that
if aeonios life for the righteous will one day be completed,
then aeonios punishment for the unregenerate will also one day
be completed. Most prominent support for the traditional doctrine of
eternal punishment is in Matthew 25:46 where aeonios punishment is
contrasted to aeonios life. "Then they will go away
to eternal (aeonios) punishment, but the righteous
to eternal (aeonios) life." It is argued that the latter is supposed to
mean endless life, hence the former supposedly means endless
punishment. If the punishment is limited, the life must also be
limited, the duration of each being expressed by the same word.
Though the reasoning appears logical, it is based upon the
unfortunate mistranslation of the word "aeonios."
Even if the premises for eternal punishment in Matt.24:46 were true,
it is clear from Rom.16:25-26, that "aeonios" does not mean "eternal."
Here again "aeonios" occurs twice, "According to the revelation of
the mystery hidden for long ages past (aeonios), but now revealed
and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of
the eternal (aeonis) God." "Aeonios" cannot mean "eternal" when it
speaks of the gospels being kept secret "since the world began,"
(KJV), "for long ages past" (NIV). If "aeonios" meant "eternal"
(perpetual), then the gospel would still be a secret, for there would
be no succession of ages before which it was a secret nor after
which it could be revealed. The same truth is revealed in Titus 1:2.
"In hope of eternal (aeonios) life, which God, that cannot lie,
promised before the world began (before times aeonios)." Though
God is certainly eternal, the second use of "aeonios" in Rom.16:26,

refers to Him as the God of the ages, just as he is the God of Israel
or the God of Abraham.
Uniformity Eliminates Confusion
The fact is "aeonios" wherever it is used in the New Testament has
one uniform meaning. When applied to God, He is the aeonis God, or
the God of the ages, i.e., the Being who through aeons of time is
working out His wonderful plan. The word "aeonios" has the force of
belonging to, or in connection with the ages; for example, "aeonios
life," "aeonios salvation," "aeonios redemption," "aeonios
inheritance," "aeonios fire," and "aeonios punishment" (see John
3:16; Heb.5:9; 9:12,15; Jude 7; Matt.24:46). To suggest that "aeonios"
means "endless times" or "endless ages," is not only a contradiction
of terms, but nonsensical and confusing. It is equivalent to
suggesting an "infinite finite," a "limitless limit," a "something
nothing" or a "full vacuum." An age is a span of time, a period of
existence. Though seemingly immeasurable to man, nevertheless it
is of limited duration.
Gods Punishments Have Purpose
In examining "aeonios" as it is applied to punishment, we see that
this too pertains to a period of time or age in which God is working
out His purposes. The Greek word translated "punishment" is
""kolasis," which means "to curtail, retrain, chastise, or prune."
Aeonios chastisement would then be a sentence of chastisement
with both a beginning and an end, for the purpose of correction. The
fact that the sentence of chastisement has an end does not in any
way take away from its severity (Rom.11:22). God has promised
judgment to theGentiles until He sends forth judgment unto victoryMatt.12:18-20. For when Gods judgments are in the earth, the
inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness-Isa.26:9. Never are
Gods chastisements meaningless, as they would be if aeonios
punishment were forever. Even those who have not benefited from
His judgments while living on this earth, will one day experience His
judgments, for "it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this
the judgment" Heb.9:27. The marvelous truth of the gospel is that
Gods chastisements are redemptive. Ultimately all the ends of the
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earth shall know God, for He has sworn by Himself, and the word has
gone out of His mouth in righteousness and shall not return void,
that unto Him every knee shall bow and every tongue shall swearIsa.45:22-23; Phil.2:10-11.
If "Aeonios" Meant "Eternal"
Furthermore supposing "aeon" and its adjectival form "aeonios"
meant "eternal," consider how illogical the Holy Spirit would appear
saying, This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning
of eternity (aeonios)" (2Tim.1:9) "which God, who does not lie
promised before the beginning of eternity (aeonios)" (Tit.1:2);
"according to the revelation of the mystery hidden
for eternity (aeonios) past" (Rom.16:25); who gave Himself for our
sins to rescue us from the present evileternity (aeon)" (Gal.1:4);
"the harvest is the end of this eternity (aeon)" (Matt.13:39); "who
have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the
coming eternity (aeon)" Heb.6:5. Suffice it to say that there have
been "aeons" in the past, there is the present "aeon," and there are
"aeons" to come. These all combined make up TIME, encompassing
the whole progressive plan and program of God for the development
of His creation.
Only "Aidios" Means "Eternal"
The fact is the New Testament has only one word which can
truthfully be translated "eternal." This is the Greek word "aidios"
which is used only twice. Once it describes the Godhead. "For since
the creation of the world Gods invisible qualitiesHis eternal (aidios)
power and divine naturehave been clearly seen" Rom.1:20. The
second time it describes the chains which hold rebellious angels
until their day of judgment, "these he has kept in darkness; bound
with everlasting (aidios) chains for judgment on the great day" Jude
6. These timeless, unchangeable chains will always be a symbol of
the severity of Gods corrective measures. Apart from these two
verses, there is no place in scripture where a word meaning eternal
is to be found.
Conclusion
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Eternity and its synonyms are grevious mistranslations of the

Hebrew and Greek words. Both the Old and the New Testament
misuses indicate a biased mind-set which hides Gods true nature
and purpose. The uniform translation of "aeon" and its adjective from
"aeonios" solves many inconsistencies in scripture study. Jesus came
to give aeonios life, a quality of relationship with the Father through
Himself, a life that is only the earnest of much more to come. The
most shameful consequences of this error are the grotesque images
which Christianity projects of God, who is really so loving, wise and
powerful. Gods love nature corresponds with His purpose which
required Jesus to hang on a cross, and about which Jesus said, "And I
if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me" Jn.12:32.
His wisdom and majesty dominate the ages through which mankind
is drawn toward Gods goal of creating man in His own image, "that
God may be all in all" 1Cor.15:28.
Practicalities
Understanding the realities of Gods plan of the ages has great
practical application in the life of the believer. The amazing grace of
God which we so willingly embrace for ourselves, we then extend to
every living soul. We know that if God saved a "wretch like me,"
then our faith can be extended toward seeing every other wretched,
lost soul saved. Grace can be truly comprehended when it is
extended to all creation. To limit Gods grace is to be of a law
mentality which judges, condemns and puts "our" group above
another. It should only be too obvious that it is the very rejection of
this unlimited grace which justifies the self-righteous and divisive
attitude so prominent among Christians. Whether in the home,
church, or world, all grounds for judgment and condemnation are
removed.
The "Christ in you" is the Christ of God who never fails. He was slain
before the foundations of the world (Rev.13:8) in anticipation of
mans failure. Calvary was not an after-thought. The "Christ in you"
has unlimited love, wisdom, and perseverance for delivering you as
well as all creation from every bondage of sin and death. He is well
able to complete that which he began.
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Our confidence is greatly enhanced when we see God in His

magnificence and grandeur, the author and perfector of our faith,
who Himself has faith for the whole world. Jesus blood will acquire
all it has purchased; He "gave Himself a ransom for all,to be
testified in due time" 1Tim.2:6. The salvation of all mankind
continues throughout the expanse of Gods ages.
Colossians 1:16-20
"For in Him all things were created, both in the heavens
and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or
dominions or rulers or authoritiesall things have been
created through Him and for Him. And He is before all
things and in Him all things hold together.
He is also head of the body, the church; and He is
the beginning, the first-born from the dead; so that
He Himself might come to have first place in everything.
For it was the Fathers good pleasure for all the fulness
to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things
to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His
cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or
things in heaven."(NAS Bible)

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