365bet娱乐

The concept of Eternity in Christianity

According to Christianity, Eternity represents a timeless existence characterized by a never-ending relationship with God, where His love and truth are continuously experienced. This state of being allows believers to draw from Christ's grace without depletion and emphasizes an ongoing fulfillment of desires. Various Christian denominations view Eternity as a condition beyond temporal constraints, highlighting its unending nature and the divine experience of goodness and glory. Ultimately, Eternity signifies a hope-filled existence rooted in the essence of God.1
gallery thumb

Synonyms: Forever, Infinity, Permanence, Timelessness, Unending, Perpetuity, Everlasting, Endlessness, Immutability, Ceaselessness, Endlessness.

In Dutch: Eeuwigheid; In Finnish: Ikuisuus; In Spanish: Eternidad; In German: Ewigkeit; In Malay: Keabadian; In Swedish: Evighet; In French: 脡迟别谤苍颈迟茅

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Christian concept of 'Eternity'

Christianity Books

Significance in Christianity (general):

From: Expositions of Holy Scripture

(1) The text mentions that He hath set Eternity in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.[1] (2) Christian people should gather their minds together and project them with all their force towards the sovereign realities of this concept, which is the ultimate goal of Christian hope.[2] (3) The timeless existence after life on earth, characterized by an unending experience of God鈥檚 goodness and glory.[3] (4) The timeless state in which believers can continually draw from the fullness of Christ's grace without depletion.[4] (5) The forever future state where desires remain and are progressively fulfilled, suggesting an ongoing relationship of fulfillment with God.[5]

From: Hymns for Christian Devotion

(1) An endless amount of time, highlighting the lasting nature of the topic, and emphasizing the concept of forever and continuation.[6] (2) This is the endless period of time where the individual will flourish, a place beyond the constraints of the current world.[7] (3) The concept of time.[8] (4) This signifies a timeless existence beyond the constraints of the present, promising everlasting peace.[9] (5) This represents a never-ending time, where the Lord's love will be shown, and all of the truth will be recorded throughout the ages.[10]

Significance in Early Christian church and writers:
Early Christianity Books

From: Ante-nicene Fathers

(1) This is the concept, relating to God, that is explored through Plato's interpretation of Moses's teachings, focusing on the idea of existing through all time, past, present, and future.[11] (2) An infinite or unending time, referenced here in relation to the lasting impact of the sign of victory.[12] (3) The state of having existed always and continuing to exist forever, a fundamental property attributed to God which distinguishes Him from other beings.[13] (4) A state that transcends time, suggesting that God is independent of beginnings or ends, opposing the concepts of newness and oldness.[14] (5) The timeless existence attributed to God, suggesting that He exists without beginning or end.[15]

Early Christianity (also known as Early Church) refers to the period starting roughly in the 6th century BC up until 325 A.D. during which year the first council of Nicaea was convened. Popular literature includes the writings by the early Church Fathers which forms the basis of later Christian theology.

Significance in Global Christian community:
Catholic Church Books

From: Summa Theologica (English translation)

(1) Eternity is defined as the simultaneously-whole and perfect possession of interminable life, signifying a state of being that lacks a beginning or end, and is not subject to succession, but rather exists as a whole.[16] (2) This is the state in which the divine persons exist, and it excludes the principle of duration, but not the principle of origin.[17]

From: Works of St. Anselm

(1) The condition of existence of the supreme Nature, emphasizing that it does not exist in temporal terms like past, present, or future.[18]

From: The city of God

(1) This refers to the endless existence of the gods, highlighting their immortality and contrasting with the mortality of humans, emphasizing their difference.[19]

The Catholic Church is a global Christian community with over a billion members, rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is led by the Pope and emphasizes the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist. Catholicism is a denomination centered on the teachings thereof. It has a rich theological and cultural heritage.

Significance in Protestantism (Christian movement emphasizing faith and scripture):
Protestantism Books

From: The Existence and Attributes of God

(1) This refers to a state of existence that is without beginning or end, and is not subject to the limitations of time, existing from the essence of a being.[20] (2) The concept of existence without beginning or end, which is fundamentally understood by God.[21]

Protestantism (or simply the protestant church) is a major branch of Christianity originating from the Reformation in the 16th century, led by figures like Martin Luther. It emphasizes salvation by faith alone and the Bible as the ultimate authority. Variants of Protestantism include Lutheranism, Calvinism, Anglicanism, Methodism and Presbyterianism, each with unique practices but generally united by these core principles.

Significance in Eastern Orthodoxy (or the Eastern Orthodox Church):
Eastern Orthodoxy Books

From: The Works of Dionysius the Areopagite

(1) The state of timelessness and existence beyond time, often associated with God, characterized as unoriginated and everlasting.[22]

Eastern Orthodoxy, or Byzantine Christianity, is one of the three main branches of Christianity. It consists of independently governed churches with strong cultural ties to Eastern and Southeastern Europe. Eastern Orthodox theology focuses on the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Believers strive for theosis, or becoming closer to God, through grace and spiritual practices.