“The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:7-8)
The essence of eternal life is living in harmony with God. Therefore, eternal life is not for people who live in rebellion with God. People who reject His forgiveness and lordship and who persist in their sinful way of life, will face eternal death instead. That’s the consequence of their choices here on earth: whoever does not want to live with God here and now, won’t live with Him in eternity either.
That’s not to say that eternal life is only for people who have lived a perfect life. If that were the case, no single human would receive it. We have all sinned against God. But the key point is whether our sins have been washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ (Revelation 7:14). If we repent of (turn from) our sins and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, God will pass over our transgressions. He will “cast all our sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19).
What a great vision that is for all believers who struggle with temptation and sin over and over again: on the new earth, sin will be conquered once and for all. It won’t exist anymore.
Are you longing to be completely free from sin?