The concept of Eternal in Christianity
Synonyms: Everlasting, Timeless, Unending, Infinite, Ceaseless, Immutable, Endless, Immortal, Permanent
In Malay: Abadi; In Dutch: Eeuwig; In Finnish: Ikuinen; In Spanish: Eterno; In German: Ewig; In Swedish: Evig; In French: ɳٱð°ù²Ô±ð±ô
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Christian concept of 'Eternal'
From: Ante-nicene Fathers
(1) This is what the divine being uses to lead to, by using the temporal, and by the carnal to the spiritual, and by the earthly to the heavenly.[1] (2) This word describes the state of the soul and the philosophers who thought that this world was like this, or that there would be numberless thousands of years from the time when it was prepared.[2] (3) The speaker suggests the enduring nature of things that are not seen, contrasting them with the temporary nature of visible things, implying everlasting existence.[3] (4) This describes something that lasts forever, like the righteous sons or salvation that are mentioned in the text.[4] (5) The term describes a divine quality, signifying a state of existence without beginning or end, unconstrained by time, and signifying the everlasting nature of the mentioned entity.[5]
From: Expositions of Holy Scripture
(1) Religious and moral distinctions are eternal.[6] (2) This refers to the lasting or unending state of works that align with the divine will, as well as the work that has been done while living for the eternal.[7] (3) This is the focus of life and work, representing the lasting consequences of actions, contrasting with the temporal results, as described in the text.[8] (4) This is what the things that are unseen are, and faith engages the heart to love, and all the longing wishes to set towards the things that are unseen and eternal.[9] (5) This word means lasting forever or for a very long time, indicating something that does not end, especially in a spiritual or religious context, such as works.[10]
From: Hymns for Christian Devotion
(1) The text uses this adjective to describe the nature of the entity, suggesting its timeless and unchanging existence, implying a divine being.[11] (2) This word is used to describe the entity, and it is related to the God, which indicates the everlasting nature of the entity.[12] (3) The text describes a characteristic of the King, implying a timeless existence, suggesting a being that is without beginning or end.[13] (4) This represents a characteristic that is without beginning or end, and the creatures are unable to fully comprehend or discover through their capacity to think or understand.[14] (5) This is a description of the duration that the majestic greatness of the divine presence encompasses, extending beyond the limitations of time itself.[15]
From: A Dictionary of the Bible (Hastings)
(1) This is one of the characteristics of the Melchizedekian order.[16] (2) Describes God's timeless nature, existing outside the confines of time.[17]
From: Bible cyclopedia, critical and expository
(1) This term describes the fundamental principle of the minute details, the promotion of God's glory and man's good, which pervades all the ordinances, civil and ceremonial alike.[18] (2) The mosque's title, the mosque of this entity, suggests the original purpose was the place of worship for Jehovah, the Lord.[19]
From: A Cyclopedia of Biblical literature
(1) The heathens believed that the duration of future retribution was eternal, as stated in the text, and it is a belief related to the nature of future punishment.[20] (2) The term is used to describe angels, who, although they had a beginning, are not considered eternal beings, and they are not immortal in their own right but by the will of God.[21]
From: Summa Theologica (English translation)
(1) Eternal is a characteristic that is in God alone, and it follows immutability, and those who share in eternity, such as the angels and the blessed, also have this characteristic.[22] (2) This term refers to the eternal God, which is Christ, and the text states that there can be no other filiation in Christ but that which is in the eternal hypostasis.[23] (3) This describes something that lasts forever, and is used to describe the good obtained through Christ's death and the nature of his priesthood.[24] (4) The text discusses whether angels are this, or if they had a beginning, in the context of their existence and relationship to God.[25]
From: Works of St. Anselm
(1) This describes the characteristic of existing forever, without beginning or end, indicating a timeless and perpetual state of being.[26] (2) Timeless existence, signifying that the supreme Nature transcends temporal limitations.[27]
From: The Little Flowers of St. Francis
(1) The phrase suggests that to attain true rest and eternal rest, one must labour and afflict themselves, which emphasizes effort and hardship.[28] (2) Eternal refers to a state of everlasting life, and those who drank the chalice devoutly were taken by angels to a place of eternal life.[29]
From: The city of God
(1) This refers to a state of existing without end, which is presented as a desired state for the gods, and is contrasted with the earthly bodies that the philosophers believe cannot be.[30] (2) The provided text refers to something that is not only eternal but also blessed, suggesting a state of existence that lasts indefinitely and is free from suffering or harm.[31]
From: The Existence and Attributes of God
(1) This term is used to describe the divine being, and is linked to the power of the divine, and is also a concept that emphasizes the limitless nature of the divine being, as it is without limits of time.[32] (2) The King, immortal, invisible, and only wise God, to whom honor and glory are given forever, and is an important aspect of faith.[33] (3) This is a term that describes something without beginning or end, specifically a property of God, who is considered to be eternal.[34]
Gnostic concept of 'Eternal'
From: Pistis Sophia
(1) Eternal is connected to the water of Life, through which all are saved, signifying a lasting and unending aspect of the light-stream's influence.[35] (2) A characteristic of the Lord's grace, signifying that it is without end, everlasting, and will continue forever.[36]
From: The Gnostics and Their Remains
(1) Eternal is used to describe the nature of the Supreme Being, who is also called Boundless Time, and Ormuzd is the Firstborn of this being.[37]
From: Fragments of a Faith Forgotten
(1) This refers to those who are deemed worthy to remain at the banquet where the Great Ones assemble, within the context of the provided text.[38]
The concept of Eternal in local and regional sources
Eternal signifies an unending existence tied to spirituality and the afterlife, emphasizing the importance of enduring joy over fleeting temporal happiness, urging individuals to prioritize this lasting state in their lives.
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) The Eternal represents the ultimate goal, finding which leads to eternal rest and perfect existence, free from striving, embodying absolute existence, knowledge, and bliss.[39] (2) The eternal, phenomenal net is spread in whose presence that is the Substance, the Brahman.[40] (3) A concept that refers to something that exists without beginning or end, and is perfect, is the eternal nature of something.[41] (4) A realm or state one enters to gain everlasting strength, suggesting a journey towards a place from which one returns with enduring vigor.[42] (5) Describing the nature of creation, it signifies a state without a beginning or end, constantly in motion like a ripple, and characterized by an everlasting struggle for balance.[43]
From: Triveni Journal
(1) The concept of an everlasting existence that Shelley believed the soul attains after death.[44] (2) A conceptual destination representing ultimate truth or Brahman, which Siddhartha seeks throughout his journey.[45] (3) A concept of timelessness and enduring nature, suggesting a deep spiritual truth or realization.[46] (4) The timelessness and unchanging nature of true wisdom and enlightenment.[47] (5) A state of being free from time and duality, which is associated with Krishnamurti's understanding of life and existence.[48]
From: Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England
(1) This describes the type of joy that is more important than temporal joy, and it should be the focus for all individuals, as it is without end.[49] (2) A state of existence that is without end, often associated with spiritual matters and the afterlife, as contrasted with the temporary nature of the temporal world.[50]