The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 1
VIII. Believers Predestined Heirs of Eternal Life Hereafter
But let us turn the gem and observe the light flashing from another facet. Believers are declared to be both “sons” and “heirs.” Paul says, “If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs 3 with Christ; ... that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:17). Our heirship is therefore tied in with our relation to Christ. But the “earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation [apokalu psin, “unveiling,” “revealing,” “appearing”] of the sons of God” (Romans 8:19), “waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body” (Romans 8:23), as we come to our full estate as sons. Our change, or immortalization, is therefore involved. CFF1 462.3
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [from proorisen, “decree or ordain beforehand”] to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29). CFF1 462.4
Foreknowing therefore precedes predestinating, and predestinating precedes historical fulfillment. Transformation, or glorification, at the Second Advent is our destined goal. CFF1 462.5
“Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified” (Romans 8:30). CFF1 462.6
That is the inexorable logic of the sequence and the glorious outcome in God’s plan and provision of redemption. CFF1 462.7
1. ALREADY HEIRS, AWAITING TIME OF POSSESSION
Pursuing this point further, Paul gives assurance that “if ye be Christ’s, then are ye ... heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29). But he immediately adds this qualifying factor: CFF1 462.8
“That the heir, as long as he is a child [a minor under age], differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all” (Galatians 4:1)—“until the time appointed of the father” (Galatians 4:2). CFF1 463.1
He does not actually come into his inheritance until he is of age. So each child of God is a “son,” and “heir of God through Christ” (Galatians 4:7). We are “heirs of salvation” (Hebrews 1:14), “heirs of promise” (Hebrews 6:17). (And James adds, that we are “heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him”—James 2:5.) But we have not yet reached the day of maturity. The apostle crystallizes and completes this entire “heir” line of reasoning by declaring that we shall “be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:7). CFF1 463.2
That is the grand objective—to receive eternal life in its fullness, under God’s enabling act, in the time and the way of His appointment. CFF1 463.3
2. PROLEPTIC FIGURE EMPLOYED RE “ETERNAL LIFE.”
God often employs the proleptic figure of calling “those things which be not as though they were” (Romans 4:17)—things designed and destined to take place in the future—referring to them as though they were already accomplished. For example, Paul says that Christ “hath abolished death” (2 Timothy 1:10)—yet death is still actively operative, and will continue to be until Christ’s return. But its end is assured. Or, John’s “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14)—yet these Christian martyrs were not as yet born. Thus also with the wondrous provision of eternal life: CFF1 463.4
“This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (1 John 5:11, 12; the “gift of God,” Romans 6:23). CFF1 463.5
Everything, then, depends upon and is determined by, that unique relationship. CFF1 463.6
3. ETERNAL LIFE VESTED IN CHRIST, NOT IN US
This eternal life is not in us intrinsically, but is vested and preserved in Christ. It is safe and it is sure, and it is ours—in Him, when He dwells in us. It is thus that we have it. That is the divine safeguard and assurance. We have title but not yet possession. He that “endureth to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 10:22). On the contrary, “If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered” (John 15:6). But we have this immutable assurance: CFF1 464.1
“This is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life [zoen aionion]: and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:40). CFF1 464.2
That is the relationship of eternal life to Immortality at the resurrection. It is the inevitable outgrowth of eternal life now, in Christ. CFF1 464.3
Paul himself thus lived “in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began” (Titus 1:2; cf. 2 Timothy 1:9; Ephesians 1:4). Eternal life is still in trust in Christ. This is “the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:1). Again, “This is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life” (1 John 2:25). It is as sure as the Word and as certain as the integrity of God. It is ours now in Christ, when He is in us. That is God’s provision. It is infinitely more safe and secure than if given outright to us. CFF1 464.4
4. MINOR HEIR DOES NOT HAVE POSSESSION UNTIL OF AGE
Thus the one who abides in Christ can truthfully say that he “hath everlasting life,” for Christ is the embodiment, the source, the personification of life—both the life and resurrection (John 5:24-29; John 11:25; John 14:6). But Paul specifies, “Your life is hid [laid up, hidden away in store] with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). No one can deprive us of it (John 10:28). It is ours, if faithful, just as the heir to an estate (who is still a minor) can say, “The estate is mine!” CFF1 464.5
But he cannot take personal, tangible possession of it until he is of age, as it were, under the terms and specifications of his father’s will and testament. Eternal life is received in final immortalized form at the resurrection, when we enter upon our full estate. It is thus that we are to understand these precious declarative assurances: CFF1 464.6
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life” (John 6:47). CFF1 465.1
“Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:54). CFF1 465.2
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life” (John 5:24). CFF1 465.3
There is thus harmony, logic, love, assurance, and the pledged word of the Eternal God, “who only hath immortality,” and who has made full provision for us to be clothed with Immortality appropriate for us, at the appointed time—the Second Advent. CFF1 465.4