Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty,
Who was and is and is to come!
Revelation 4:8
God existed before the world began. He had to
precede it all because He made it all. God will also continue to exist forever.
We know this because He promises to share eternity with us (John 3:16; Romans
6:23). Eternity is completely in His command.
Eternal life is the crown that God has promised to
those who love Him. It is the believer's ultimate reward. Although we presently
experience some of the benefits of eternal life, we possess it on promise; some
day we will receive it in its fullness. We are still waiting to enter into our
future reward. At the Lord's coming, He will grant to us the fullness of
eternal life.
The apostle Paul expressed a similar thought:
“Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also
to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8). When Christ returns for
the church, Christians will be granted a life of eternal righteousness. We will
all receive the same crown consisting of the rewards of eternal life, righteousness,
and glory.
