Hope: Objects of Eternal Life
Jump to: Torrey'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
In the Christian faith, hope is a profound and essential virtue, intricately linked to the promise of eternal life. This hope is not a mere wishful thinking but a confident expectation rooted in the character and promises of God as revealed in Scripture. The hope of eternal life is a central theme throughout the Bible, providing believers with assurance and motivation to persevere in their faith.

Biblical Foundation

The hope of eternal life is grounded in the promises of God, who is faithful and unchanging. Titus 1:2 states, "in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began." This verse underscores the reliability of God's promise, emphasizing that the hope of eternal life is not based on human effort but on God's eternal plan and truth.

Jesus Christ: The Source of Hope

Jesus Christ is the ultimate source and guarantor of the hope of eternal life. Through His death and resurrection, He secured eternal life for all who believe in Him. In John 11:25-26, Jesus declares, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die." This promise assures believers that physical death is not the end but a transition to eternal life with God.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in affirming the hope of eternal life within believers. Romans 8:16-17 states, "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ." The Holy Spirit confirms our status as God's children and heirs of eternal life, providing an inner assurance of this hope.

Hope as an Anchor

The hope of eternal life serves as an anchor for the soul, providing stability and security amidst life's trials and uncertainties. Hebrews 6:19 describes this hope as "an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." This imagery conveys the steadfastness of hope, which holds believers steady in their faith journey, regardless of external circumstances.

Living in Light of Eternal Hope

The hope of eternal life influences how believers live in the present. It inspires a life of holiness, perseverance, and joyful anticipation of Christ's return. In 1 John 3:2-3, it is written, "Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." This passage highlights the transformative power of hope, motivating believers to pursue purity and righteousness.

Hope in the Face of Suffering

The hope of eternal life provides comfort and strength in the face of suffering and persecution. Romans 8:18 offers encouragement: "I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us." This perspective enables believers to endure hardships with the assurance that their present trials are temporary and will be eclipsed by the eternal glory to come.

Conclusion

The hope of eternal life is a central tenet of the Christian faith, offering believers a confident expectation of a future with God. It is rooted in the promises of God, secured by the work of Jesus Christ, and affirmed by the Holy Spirit. This hope serves as an anchor for the soul, influencing how believers live and providing strength in times of suffering. Through the hope of eternal life, Christians are empowered to live with purpose, purity, and perseverance, eagerly anticipating the fulfillment of God's promises.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Titus 1:2
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Titus 3:7
That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

He Then Wonderfully Displays the Eternal Life, which is Christ, to ...
... way to that for which he searches he there seeks eternal life where he ... operates only
for the present time, whereon those who hope are the objects of the ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 2 he then wonderfully.htm

Love, which is Greater than Faith and Hope, is Shed Abroad in Our ...
... true; and hopes in vain, even though the objects of his ... is necessary to the attainment
of his hope; as, for example, if he hopes for eternal life (and who ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 117 love which is greater.htm

Of the Twofold Conflict of Body and Soul; and of Desiring virtue ...
... of being grasped, must contend with objects which are ... the body seeks for temporal,
but the soul eternal life? ... or undergo death, unless through the hope of a ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xii of the twofold conflict.htm

Human Life a Dream
... Where, indeed, is the hope of those who were lately ... Has it a relish for the objects
and enjoyments of ... the good fight of faith, and laid hold on eternal life? ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 121 human life a.htm

The Hope of the Calling
... in the atmosphere, shall blossom and burgeon into eternal life. ... in your heart, any
vital hope of immortality ... of our hearts towards the great objects which alone ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the hope of the calling.htm

Redemption (Continued)
... to us, this, like so many other objects of theological ... sin, attainment of holiness,
union with God, eternal life, by what ... and faith, but also with hope and joy ...
//christianbookshelf.org/beibitz/gloria crucis/vii redemption continued.htm

John Chapter xvii. 24-26.
... brevity of our discourse, spoken of the objects of the ... our life is meanwhile in faith
and hope with Christ ... is the knowing of Him, but eternal life which, while ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate cxi john chapter xvii.htm

Whether this is a Satisfactory Definition of Faith: Faith is the ...
... faith is a habit of the mind, whereby eternal life is begun ... the end of faith must
include the objects of the ... Now hope is one of these virtues, as we shall show ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/nature and grace/article one whether this is.htm

Whether this is a Fitting Definition of Faith: "Faith is the ...
... faith is a habit of the mind, whereby eternal life is begun ... directed, as to its end,
to the objects of those ... which perfect the will, among which is hope, as we ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether this is a fitting.htm

Letter ii. To the Deacon Aurelius.
... sufferings did he not endure in behalf of the hope of eternal life, in hunger ... we
ought to follow him; he instructed us to what objects our hope should be ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /letter ii to the deacon.htm

Resources
What is the living hope in 1 Peter 1:3? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Christian's hope? | GotQuestions.org

What is the difference between faith and hope? | GotQuestions.org

Hope: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Hope

Hope in Christ

Hope in God

Hope in God's Promises

Hope in the Mercy of God

Hope is an Encouragement to Boldness in Preaching

Hope is the Work of the Holy Spirit

Hope of the Wicked

Hope of the Wicked is in Their Worldly Possessions

Hope of the Wicked: Shall be Extinguished in Death

Hope of the Wicked: Shall Make Them Ashamed

Hope of the Wicked: Shall Perish

Hope: A Better Hope Brought in by Christ

Hope: Abraham

Hope: Be Ready to Give an Answer Concerning

Hope: Blessed

Hope: Connected With Faith and Love

Hope: David

Hope: Encourage Others To

Hope: Encouragement To

Hope: General Scriptures Concerning

Hope: Gladdening

Hope: Good

Hope: Happiness of

Hope: Illustrated by a Helmet

Hope: Illustrated by an Anchor

Hope: Leads to Patience

Hope: Leads to Purity

Hope: Life is the Season of

Hope: Lively

Hope: Makes not Ashamed

Hope: Objects of a Resurrection

Hope: Objects of Christ's Glorious Appearing

Hope: Objects of Eternal Life

Hope: Objects of Glory

Hope: Objects of Righteousness

Hope: Objects of Salvation

Hope: Obtained Through: Faith

Hope: Obtained Through: Grace

Hope: Obtained Through: Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures

Hope: Obtained Through: The Gospel

Hope: Obtained Through: The Word

Hope: Paul

Hope: Saints are Called To

Hope: Saints: Have All, the Same

Hope: Saints: Have, in Death

Hope: Saints: Rejoice In

Hope: Saints: should Abound In

Hope: Saints: should Continue In

Hope: Saints: should Hold Fast

Hope: Saints: should Look for the Object of

Hope: Saints: should not be Ashamed of

Hope: Saints: should not be Moved From

Hope: Seek for Full Assurance of

Hope: Sure and Steadfast

Hope: The Result of Experience

Hope: The Wicked Have No Ground For

Hope: Thessalonians

Hope: Triumphs Over Difficulties

Related Terms

Hope (291 Occurrences)

Expectation (25 Occurrences)

Despair (23 Occurrences)

Expect (20 Occurrences)

Endurance (31 Occurrences)

Anchor (4 Occurrences)

Achor (5 Occurrences)

Encouragement (25 Occurrences)

Evil-doer (88 Occurrences)

Savior (60 Occurrences)

Sees (135 Occurrences)

Beheld (95 Occurrences)

Rely (31 Occurrences)

Threshes (1 Occurrence)

Realize (29 Occurrences)

Enjoy (68 Occurrences)

Disquieted (13 Occurrences)

Maschil (26 Occurrences)

Moanest (3 Occurrences)

Partake (19 Occurrences)

Perishes (14 Occurrences)

Plows (3 Occurrences)

Plowman (3 Occurrences)

Boldness (25 Occurrences)

Basing (7 Occurrences)

Consolation (23 Occurrences)

Assuredly (31 Occurrences)

Resting (117 Occurrences)

Disturbed (30 Occurrences)

Stedfast (84 Occurrences)

Patience (59 Occurrences)

Disappointed (69 Occurrences)

Rejoicing (90 Occurrences)

Perseverance (27 Occurrences)

Encouraged (37 Occurrences)

Sake (241 Occurrences)

Plow (11 Occurrences)

Comfort (130 Occurrences)

Eagerly (36 Occurrences)

Rejoice (259 Occurrences)

Subject (99 Occurrences)

Promised (150 Occurrences)

Caesar's (10 Occurrences)

Confidence (103 Occurrences)

Posterity (38 Occurrences)

Saved (183 Occurrences)

Assurance (16 Occurrences)

Regards (43 Occurrences)

Earnestly (78 Occurrences)

Steadfast (194 Occurrences)

Trust (201 Occurrences)

Calling (145 Occurrences)

Riches (118 Occurrences)

Safety (72 Occurrences)

Yahweh (6653 Occurrences)

Messiah (9 Occurrences)

Boast (86 Occurrences)

Sure (142 Occurrences)

Placing (44 Occurrences)

Visit (97 Occurrences)

Troubles (94 Occurrences)

Rising (162 Occurrences)

Charity (29 Occurrences)

Yours (226 Occurrences)

Servant (738 Occurrences)

Vast (54 Occurrences)

Treasured (20 Occurrences)

Tribes (141 Occurrences)

Rests (25 Occurrences)

Relied (10 Occurrences)

Expected (18 Occurrences)

Entertain (8 Occurrences)

Exulted (5 Occurrences)

Eager (43 Occurrences)

Enduring (25 Occurrences)

Depend (12 Occurrences)

Depending (8 Occurrences)

Desperate (8 Occurrences)

Hope: Objects of Christ's Glorious Appearing
Top of Page
Top of Page