Immortal Life and Eonian Life

THE UPWARD CALL

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet;

but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God

IN CHRIST JESUS.

(Philippians 3:13-14 NASB)

#03-0982

Immortal Life and Eonian Life

November 23, 2009

Periodically, I refer to immortal life ( immortality ) and eonian life as two kinds of life, and I

seldom, if ever, refer to eternal life , for good reason. This issue provides a broad overview of these

terms. For more detailed explanation, I refer you to my book The Purpose and Plan of the Eons , in

particular, Volume 1, Chapter 1, and Volume 2, Chapters 2 and 3. For a quick read on the words eon and

eternal , please see issue #03-09131, June 15, 2009, Eon (Age), Not Eternal or World .

The challenge or problem, whichever way one sees it, begins with the word eternal . The fact of the

matter is that if the word eternal (or its counterpart, everlasting ) were dropped entirely from the many

translations that use it, in one case 75 times, it would dramatically alter or destroy the egregious

tradition of men that places all the emphasis of the gospel on eternal life and relegates resurrection and

immortality to the back burner, so to speak, if emphasized at all, and that has no understanding

whatsoever of a life (i.e., eonian life) in the coming eon or age of the kingdom of Christ.

The source of the challenge begins with the translation and understanding of the transliterated Greek

words aiōn (noun) and aiōnion (adjective), which appear in the Greek text a combined total of nearly 200

times and which are translated using upwards of 40 English words or expressions. The English equivalent

or Anglicized word for aiōn is eon and for aiōnion is eonian . As you will note, I prefer to use the words eon

and eonian in my writings, and use them in the sense that the Greeks would have used them, that is, as

referring to a long, indefinite segment or period of time with a beginning and an end. This defines an

age or an eon. In other words, an eon is not endless, even if it extends for a very long period of time. Thus,

eonian life refers to life in an eon or age and does not refer to life in eternity (i.e., outside of time).

So, let us look at the two terms immortal life and eonian life .

First, immortal life is quite straightforward. The Greek word athanasia is translated as immortal ,

which means “deathlessness” or “beyond death” (1 Corinthians 15:53, 54; 1 Timothy 6:16). It is life that

is beyond death, never to be subjected to the possibility of death. This should be the hope and

expectation of all believers. However, I would be remiss if I did not add that it also is the ultimate

destiny of all mankind when, at the consummation of the eons, God the Father is all in all.

Contrary to the tradition of men, immortality does not come about when one dies, that is, through

death of the mortal body: It comes about with the redemption of our body that occurs with resurrection;

a future event for which Christians should be waiting eagerly (Romans 8:23). No one has immortality at

this point in time, for, according to Paul, the King of kings and the Lord of lords alone

possesses immortality [athanasia] (1 Timothy 6:15-16).

The redemption of the body comes with the placing or adoption as sons (Romans 8:23) when this

mortal puts on immortality (1 Corinthians 15:53). It is when we put on our dwelling from heaven so that

what is mortal is swallowed up by life (2 Corinthians 5:1-5). It is when we are glorified into the image of

the Son of God.

However, even among believers, all will not put on immortality at the same time . Some will put it on

at the first resurrection that commences the Lord’s Day, and others will put it on at the second

resurrection that commences God’s Day. The firstfruits anointed of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:23) will be

the first to come into immortality as they are raised from among the dead in the first resurrection

(Revelation 20:5-6) or the out-resurrection (Philippians 3.11), also referred to by Paul as the better

resurrection (Hebrews 11:35). The rest of the believers will follow 1,000 years later, brought forth

from death in the second resurrection to appear before the Great White Throne , where they will be

saved, yet so as through fire (1 Corinthians 3:15).

Another reference to immortal life is found in Paul’s explanation of Melchizedek. In the Greek, the word

akatalutos is properly used to express immortality, and Paul uses it to contrast the Levitical priesthood

with the Melchizedek priesthood. The Levites were placed as priests based on a law of physical

requirement, that is, based on their genealogy or bloodline that was traced to Levi. These priests died

and had to be replaced with other mortals of the same genetic line. But God’s Son is a high priest of an

entirely different order based on the law of life.

(15) And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of

Melchizedek, (16) who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical

requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible [akatalutos] life . (17) For it is

attested of Him, “YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF

MELCHIZEDEK.” (Hebrews 7:15-17 NASB)

Some translations use the word endless in place of indestructible , but the meaning is the same, for it

means that death has no power over such a life. Death is what destroys (brings destruction to) life, but

the power of the indestructible life ensures that death has no more power over such a life. God

declared that His Son is of this new order, but there are to be more king-priests to follow of the same

order. They are the conquerors who will reign with Christ for 1,000 years, but to do so, they too must

possess an indestructible life that comes about when this mortal will have put on immortality. Again,

this only comes through the first resurrection if one is to reign with Christ. There is no other way.

Second, technically speaking, eonian life is not the same as immortal life. Immortal life is not

dependent on the eons, or time, and space, and as such, is the proper term for eternal life. Eonian life is

dependent on the eons, for it speaks of life in time and, more specifically, life in the coming eon or

Kingdom Age on earth, and participating in and enjoying life in this eon. Jesus Himself linked eonian

life to the coming eon. Notice that the CV has chosen to use the expression life eonian , which is the

same as eonian life .

Who may not by all means be getting back manyfold in this era, and in the coming eon ,

life eonian . (Luke 18.30 CV; also see Mark 10:30)

Third, in spite of their difference, eonian life and immortal life are sometimes synonymous with each

other. In studying Scripture, we need to keep in mind that eonian life by itself does not tell us if it also

refers to immortal life or, if you prefer, eternal life. For this, we need to understand the context.

Fourth, all the conquering saints who participate in the first resurrection and transfiguration will not

only put on immortality but also will have eonian life, since they will be alive to enjoy the Kingdom Age

as they rule and reign with Christ on the earth.

Fifth, however, eonian life is not restricted to those who will put on immortality as the next eon

commences. Simply, all who are immortal in the next eon will have eonian life in the next eon, but

others also will have eonian life in the next eon but not immortal life in the next eon. In the oncoming

eon, mortals (typified by nations) will continue to live on earth; some will enjoy it by receiving an

inheritance (i.e., a part) in the kingdom, others will not. When the Son of Mankind comes in His glory,

seated upon His throne of glory, He will divide the sheep nations from the goat (kid) nations.

“And these [kid nations] shall be coming away into chastening eonian, yet the just [sheep

nations] into life eonian.” (Matthew 25.46 CV)

The King of Glory will reward the sheep nations with life eonian, meaning they will “enjoy the

allotment [inheritance] of the kingdom” (Matthew 25:34 CV). Chastening eonian does not mean

that the kid nations will be tormented in man’s hell or annihilated altogether. They will be ruled over

with a rod or club of iron to teach them righteousness (Isaiah 26:9) with the ultimate goal of restoring

them, which is the purpose of fire eonian (Matthew 25:41 CV), which is the divine law of God (the

words of the Lord). After all, the Lord declares: “Is not My word like fire? (Jeremiah 23:29).

There is much more that could be offered to prove the point, but I must leave it with this and encourage

you that when you see the term “eternal life” in Scripture, replace it with “eonian life,” and reread it in

context with the concept of the eons (not eternity) in view. May the spirit of truth be with you!

The Upward Call: #03-0982

by: Stuart H. Pouliot