NEW! Biblically Defending Damnation (BDD) is our newest online book project. An ongoing work in progress, BDD is being developed as a concise refutation of Universalism--also called Reconciliation Awareness, Ultimate Salvation, Universal Salvation, Ultimate Reconciliation, Christian Universalism, Restoration of all things, and other terms. BDD is constantly being updated, but it already contains material for you to glean for use in your own ministry.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DEFINITIONS OF AION AND AIONIOS
Universalist's refuse to exegete any Scripture with the recognition that there are people that are, and will be, separated from God forever. Once this presupposition is fixed in a Universalist's mind, they will refuse to approach exegesis of any passage in Scripture with the government of the other Scriptures that describe everlasting destruction away from the presence of the Lord. Because of this, the Universalist creates a parameter that dictates every exegetical consideration as necessarily pointing to a reconciliation of all people everywhere to God. To maintain their confining presupposition, Universalists must speciously assert that eternal, forever, everlasting, and ongoing, must not really mean eternal, forever, everlasting, and ongoing. The whole linguistic foundation of this universal mistake rests on two Greek words. They are the Greek noun aion, and the Greek adjective aionios, from which we translate into the English words, age, time, eternal, forever, everlasting, and ongoing. What a Universalist wants to do is apply a narrowed, static, meaning to both terms that oddly ignores the semantic range of the words, and their full spectrum of meaning. This presupposition is based on ignorance, dishonesty concerning koine Greek, and a linguistic faux pas called the "root falacy."
THE EVOLUTION OF KOINE GREEK
Greek has undergone major evolutionary changes through different segments of history and geography since the seeds of its origin. This is important on many fronts, but one reason it is important is because to speak of the Greek language is to speak of many dialects at various times, in various places, and various changes, at different times in history.
The seeds of Greek can be traced to well over a thousand years before Christ. The early roots of Proto-Greek sprouted around 2000 BC. Then there was the Mycenaean Greek development through the history of 1600 to 1000 BC. Then there was Ancient Greek that was found from 1000 to 330 BC, with all of its various dialects, such as Aeolic, Arcadocypriot, Attic-Ionic, Doric, Locrian, Pamphylian; Homeric Greek, and the obscure Macedonian. Then there was the Koine Greek from around 330 to 330 AD. It was followed by Medival Greek, 330 to 1453 AD. Finally there is modern Greek which developed from 1453 AD onward with about 10 different dialects. In each phase of Greek, cultural influences, usage dominance, idiom acceptance, figures of speech, additional words, replacement words, complete changing of a word's originally alluded etymological meaning, abbreviating words, dropping terms, and various other nuances would occur. Thus, Greek has an evolutionary tree with many branches throughout each time and culture it was spoken. Therefor, to speak of Greek, is to speak of where and when--not one overarching consistent language throughout its history. All of this is important because of the root fallacy.
THE ROOT FAlLACY IN SEMANTICS
The root fallacy occurs because of a romance with the specious practice of reductionist etymology. What this means is that the meaning of a word is supposed to be able to be reduced to, and should be reduced to, its component roots. D.A. Carson, in his fine work, "Exegetical Fallacies," gives some examples from Dr. Thiselton of how to quickly recognize this problem in our own language of English (p. 28 EF). For example, the word "nice" has the etymological root meaning of "ignorant." It is a root fallacy to suggest that we are saying that someone is ignorant when we say that they are nice. "Good-bye" is a contraction from the root that literally means, "God be with you." Similarly, in Spanish, "adios," is a compound word that has the literal root meaning of "to God." To assert that good-bye, or adios, are used today in the sense of telling someone that God is to be with them, or that they are to go to God, is to commit the root fallacy. Carson also points out Dr. Louw's keen observation concerning the Greek word hyperetes in an analogy of the problem. The word's root means "rower," but its meaning in actual usage evolved to mean slave, which is how Paul uses the term in 1 Corinthians 4:1. Dr. Louw comments,
"... to derive the meaning of hyperetes from hypo and eretes is no more intrinsically realistic than deriving the meaning of 'butterfly' from 'butter' and 'fly,' or the meaning of 'pineapple' from 'pine' and 'apple.'" (Louw, Exegetical Falacies, p. 30, Carson)
Another example of a root fallacy would be to point out that the root particles of ekklesia taken together mean "to call out," or "calling out," and so every time this word is used, then it must refer to calling out. In actuality, by the time of Christ and the apostles, the word was used in a wide semantic range of meaning. It was used by Romans for public meetings. It was specifically used by Christians for a formal "assembly," and for "church" as the local body of believers in one sense, and "universal church" in the broader sense of the Christians as the expansive group of God's people in Christ. Along with these various meanings, the term was also used by Christians in the doctrinal-descriptive sense that more closely patterned what the particles originally meant, ie. those who are called out in Christ. In other words, ekklesia was used for various meanings, including (but not necessarily) something that closely related to the root particles. The principle to consider in avoiding the mistake of the root fallacy is to understand that the meaning of a word is not determined by its root parts, but is determined by its usage. Such is the case with aion, and aionios.
Dr. Moises Silva sums up the basic substance of this error that universalists make in respect to aion, and aionios, in a quote from Dr. Vendryes, as Silva states,
"Dr. Vendryes, who sees the value of studying roots, but is careful to add:
Etymology, however, gives a false idea of the nature of a vocabulary for it is concerned only in showing how a vocabulary has been formed. Words are not used according to their historical value. The mind forgets--assuming that it ever knew--the semantic evolutions through which the words have passed. Words always have a current value, that is to say, limited to the moment when they are employed, and a particular value relative to the momentary use made of them." (J. Vendryes, Biblical Words and Their Meanings, An Introduction to Lexical Semantics, Silva, pp. 46-47)
DEFINITIONS OF AION AND AIONIOS
The noun aion means age, time, and eternity. The adjective describes the time, the age, and the everlastingness, of something that is ongoing. Both terms describe age that is of any length depending upon what the author wants to convey. The terms can be closed if meant to be, or they can be open in the sense of simply just age, or time, or in the sense of eternal, forever, everlasting, and ongoing. Every usage of aion and aionios in these ways is correct.
THE OPENNESS OF BOTH TERMS
Both aion, and aionios are open terms. It is like asking, "How long is a string?" The answer is that it depends. "String" is an open term, as is "long." Or, it is like asking, "How long is long?" When you think of the Greek noun aion, you can ask, "How long is an aion?" The same goes for the adjective, "How long is aionios?" The answer is that it depends, because the semantic range of the word means that it represents age, time, and eternity. Sometimes a writer wants to keep the terms open, and so he uses them in such a way as to indicate forever, everlasting, eternal, and ongoing. Sometimes a writer intends to close aion.
SOME EXAMPLES OF WHEN CONTEXT CLOSES AION AND AIONIOS
We find the noun aion closed off in certain context specific instances where it is purposely described in such a manner, like for example, in Matthew 13:39-49, where aion is given closure with the usage of the Greek word, sunteleia. The term "the end of the age" or "end of the time" is used three times by Jesus, where He says,
"39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end [sunteleia] of the [time, or age] [aion, aiwnov]; and the reapers are angels. 40 So just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end [sunteleia] of the [time, or age] [aion, aiwnov]. ... 49 So it will be at the end [sunteleia] of the [time, or age] [aion, aiwnov]; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous, 50 and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 13:39-49
Closing the term with sunteleia is used in Matthew 24:3 once,
"3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the students came to Him privately, saying, 'Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end [sunteleia] of the [time, or age] [aion, aiwnov]?'" Matthew 24:3
Closing the term with sunteleia is used in Matthew 28:20 once,
"20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end [sunteleia] of the [times, or ages] [aion, aiwnov]." Matthew 28:20
These Matthew passages are prophetic examples where the context specifically closes off aion for us to readily see the intended meaning that must come with the clarifier sunteleia for end, completion, and consummation. Each passage must be considered in respect to the context of eschatological discussion. The sense may be the age before the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, or as a future eschatological allussion to even further in the future. We know that one specific identifier of "the end of the age" was in the days of Paul because Paul says so in 1 Corinthians,
"... they were written for our instruction, upon whom the end [telos] of the [times, or ages] [aion, aiwnwn] have come." 1 Corinthians 10:11
Telos closes off aion, which shows us that this contextual point specifically dictates that all these particular past times have come to their end on these particular contextual points in that generation.
Another example is found in Luke, where we read of a current aion, and a future eternal aion in the same context,
"27 Now there came to Him some of the Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection), ... 33 'In the resurrection therefore, which one's wife will she be? For all seven had married her.' 34 Jesus said to them, 'The sons of this [toutou] age [aion, aiwnov] marry and are given in marriage. 35 but those who are considered worthy to attain to that [ekeinou] age [aion, aiwnov] and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; 36 for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection." Luke 20:27, 33-35
The first reference is of sons of this age, or time, of the present world of sin and death, that Jesus is preaching among. The sons of this age, marry and are given in marriage. Those who are considered worthy to attain to that future age in the resurrection from the dead, will not die anymore in everlasting eternalness, which demonstrates the dynamic usage of aion in its range of, a) a current sense, and b) a future ongoing sense of eternality for sons of God that cannot die anymore. This prophetically points to the New Covenant hope of the resurrection to imperishable life without sin that Paul later explains in 1 Corinthians 15:42-56.
Another example is found in Hebrews 9,
"25 nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year [kat eniauton] with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often [pollakiv] since [apo] the foundation [katabolhv] of the world [kosmou]; but now [nuni] once [apax] at the consummation [end] [sunteleia] of the ages [aion, aiwnwn] He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, 28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him." Hebrews 9:25-28
Through ancient history past, the Levitical high priest's entered into the holy place, year after year, continuously for century after century. Neither the Levitical priests, nor their sacrifices were perfect. The perfect Christ, on the other hand, made the perfect sacrifice, as the Perfect High Priest Who offered up Himself as the Perfect Spotless Lamb, for all time at a specific time that was the end of the ages that preceded His arrival, and work.
Every student of Greek understands that aion means a time, or an age, and that it is possible for it to be closed off, even if it is only in a relative sense. By the same token, every good student of Greek also recognizes that aion and aionios also mean forever, everlasting, eternal, and ongoing, whether in the idiomatic, hyperbolic, or actual sense.
EXAMPLES WHERE AION REFERS TO A LONG TIME AGO AND A FUTURE
Sometimes aion is used to refer to the ancient past, such as "long ago." Sometimes it may be used to refer to "the future." Examples can be found in Luke's Gospel chronicle.
An example where aion is used of a long time ago, is in Luke 1:70 (cf. Acts 3:21),
"70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old [aion]--" Luke 1:70
Luke mentions prophets (plural) speaking from long ago, which covers a broad ancient sphere. Luke is repeating and confirming Micah (from Micah 7:20) who, as an ancient prophet himself, pushes back the sphere of aion for our understanding, thus demonstrating the broad expansive ancientness of how the term is meant to be used in this instance. Luke also immediately quotes David in Psalm 106.
An example of where aion is used to refer to the future experience of unique resurrected sinless glorified eternal life, is in Luke 18:30;
"26 They who heard it said, 'Then who can be saved [sozo]?' 27 But He said, "The things that are impossible with people are possible with God. 28 Peter said, 'Behold, we have left our own homes and followed You.' 29 And He said to them, 'Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times as much at this [touto] time [kairos] and in the age [aion, the eternity] to come, eternal [aionios] life [zoe].'" Luke 18:26-30
Jesus is describing the eternal life that God gives in salvation. In God's effectual call in saving His elect by His sovereign miracle action, those who leave the things of the world for the sake of the kingdom of God will receive many times as much in respect to receiving eternal life, both now, and in the future aspect. The aion to come in Luke 18:30 is the future, but is a reference to the future experience of eternity in the ongoingness of one's ongoing life.
EXAMPLES OF WHEN AION REPRESENTS EXISTENCE THAT IS IN THE TIME
There is a sense where the term aion is used in expressing the expansive nature of all that is in it. Such a place is found in the introduction of Hebrews,
"1 God, after He spoke long ago [palai] to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these [touton] last [eschatos] days [hemera] has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things [pas, pantwn], through whom also He made the [aion as sphere of everything created, ie. the universe, the world] [aion, aiwnav]. 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things [ta panta] by the word of His power When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high," Hebrews 1:1-3
Here, the writer of Hebrews expresses that God spoke long ago through prophets. God has spoken in "these" last days. He is heir of all things, and He upholds all things. God created the past, present, and future, and all that is in it. This is as Dr. Wallace comments in the NET footnote concerning this context specific meaning,
"(ages) came to be used of the spatial (what exists in those time periods)." (Wallace, NET, footnote 2, Heb. 1:2)
AION AND AIONIOS ARE CONTEXT SPECIFIC
We recognize that both terms, aion, and aionios are used in contexts in the Koine Greek to describe a broad scope called an age or a time. The terms are also used in the Bible to represent hyperbole as the superlative sense, or they are used in the idiomatic sense to indicate great length that has no defined ending. They are also used to describe eternality that is applied to something in the Old Testament that seems like it ended, but was fulfilled in Christ the New Covenant, and His Kingdom prophetically. Commonly the terms are used in a straight forward sense of eternality. Each usage is context specific.
EXAMPLES OF WHEN AION AND AIONIOS ARE NOT CLOSED AS EVERLASTING, ETERNAL, FOREVER, AND ONGOING, IN THE OLD TESTAMENT GREEK OF THE SEPTUAGINT
It is important to recognize key texts from the Greek Septuagint compilation which designate the eternal, forever, everlasting, and ongoing sense of the words, aion, and aionios. The Septuagint (LXX) is the Greek translation compilation of the Old Testament that, according to historical record, finds its earliest roots starting around 250-300 years before Christ. Modern researchers trace development of Greek translations of specific books, in what we now refer to as the Septuagint, over and into the New Testament period. The Greek texts that we anachronistically call the one Septuagint are important because they reflect the use of the Koine Greek (meaning, common Greek) that was used from about 300 BC to 300 AD. This Greek differs in a lot of ways from Byzantine Greek of later years after the New Testament period from the fourth century on. Following are some clear passages in the Septuagint that demonstrate that aion, and aionios mean forever, everlasting, eternal, and ongoing. Most of the English quotations of the Septuagint are taken from the Brenton English Translation. The Greek identification is taken from the text of the LXXM Analytic Septuagint. Following each quoted passage, the pertinent Hebrew parallel words from the Masoretic Text are added (and some Aramaic in Daniel). Comments are below each quoted section:
"but of the tree for knowing good and evil, of it you shall not eat; but on the day that you eat of it, you shall die by death [apoyaneisye] ... Then God said, 'see, Adam has become like one of us, knowing good and evil, and now perhaps he might reach out his hand and take of the tree of life and eat, and he will live forever [aion, aiwna]'" Genesis 2:17 with 3:22
Hebrew Masoretic Text: and live [chayay] forever [owlam]
"You shall die by death" is related to ability to "live forever" as being an eternal, everlasting sense.
"15 And I will remember my covenant, ... there shall no longer be water for a deluge, so as to blot out all flesh. 16 And my bow shall be in the cloud, and I will look to remember the everlasting [aionios, aiwnion] covenant between me and the earth, and between every living soul in all flesh, ..." Genesis 9:16
Hebrew Masoretic Text: everlasting [owlam]
In this sense of the adjective aionios, God is explaining that His covenant to never blot out all flesh with water is an eternal, everlasting, one. It shall "no longer" happen, v. 15, ever.
"33 And Abraam planted a field at the well of the oath, and called there on the name of the Lord, the eternal [aionios, aiwniov] God." Genesis 21:33
Hebrew Masoretic Text: eternal [owlam]
This description of God using the adjective aionios, is that God is eternal. He has no beginning, and He has no end.
"14 And God spoke to Moses, saying, I am THE BEING; and he said, Thus shall you say to the children of Israel, THE BEING has sent me to you. 15 And God said again to Moses, Thus shalt thou say to the sons of Israel, The Lord God of our fathers, the God of Abraam, and God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, has sent me to you: this is my name for ever [aionios, aiwnion], and my memorial to generations of generations." Exodus 3:14-15
Hebrew Masoretic Text: for ever [owlam]
God is saying that this is His name forever, and not in a temporary sense that will change.
"18 The Lord reigns for ever [aion, aiwna] and ever [aion, aiwna]." Exodus 15:18
Hebrew Masoretic Text: for ever [owlam] and ever [ad]
This usage of the nouns aion in a chiastic form is signifying that the Lord's reign has no end. Repeating aion is an idiom that is meant to emphasize the everlasting duration in a poetic superlative.
"29:5 ... Aaron thy brother ... 8 and thou shalt bring his sons, ... 9 ... and they shall have a priestly office to me for ever [aion, aiwna]; ... 14 But the flesh of the calf, and his skin, and his dung, shalt thou burn with fire without the camp; for it is an offering on account of sin. ... 28 And it shall be a perpetual [aionios, aiwnion] statute of the children of Israel to Aaron and his sons, for this is a separate offering; and it shall be a special offering from the children of Israel, from the peace-offerings of the children of Israel, a special offering to the Lord. ... 38 And these are the offerings which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two unblemished lambs of a year old daily on the altar continually, a constant offering. ... 42 a perpetual sacrifice throughout your generations [geneav], ... 40:15 And thou shalt anoint them as thou didst anoint their father, and they shall minister to me as priests; and it shall be that they shall have an everlasting [aion, aiwna] anointing of priesthood, throughout their generations [eis tav genea autwn]." Exodus 29:5-42 with 40:15
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 29:9 for ever [owlam]. 29:28 perpetual [owlam]. 40:15 everlasting [owlam]
Exodus 29:9 records the priestly office that is clarified by Exodus 40:15 as, a) ongoing in respect to the existence of their generations, where if the generations exist forever, then so does the statute for them, and b) the Law exists fulfilled in Christ, where eternality is obtained by proxy, in Him, cf. Matthew 5:17. The sacrifice of 29:28 is perpetual in respect to the existence of the generations of the Levites, but also in the eschatological fulfillment of the statute in the Spotless Lamb. These passages are added here to this list to demonstrate how in one sense the terms aion, and aionios, are open to ongoing continuation as clarified with a contextually stated contingency; a) as long as there would be generational Levitical priesthood, plus b) the Christological revelation of accomplishment forever in Him.
In the respect of 40:15, the openness of aion is seen in the "anointing" of the Levite's priesthood lasting "throughout their generations." Yet, there is the sense that their bloodline anointing was closed by default. The anointing would continue until a) the change of Priesthood occurred in Christ who goes on forever (cf. Hebrews 7), and b) the apostate Levites were decimated and dispersed to disappear in AD 70 with the destruction of the last remnants of the apostate priesthood. Christ (which means Anointed) continues forever, fullfilling the Law, cf. Matthew 5:17, and fulfilling aspects of the High Priests role that only He, according to a different order, could fulfill. According to the Melchizedekian priesthood, Messiah (The Anointed) entered the actual Holy of Holies (not the earthly type), and did it forever.
"28 And David heard of it afterwards, and said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the Lord even for ever [aion, aiwnov] of the blood of Abenner the son of Ner. 2 Samuel 3:28 (Kings 2 LXX)
Hebrew Masoretic Text: for ever [owlam]
David means that he, and his kingdom (which is eternal according to promise see 2 Samuel 7:13 below; in Messiah, see Luke 1:32, Hebrews 1:8, ), will always eternally be innocent before God, and not merely for a finite age.
"13 He shall build for me a house to my name, and I will set up his throne even for ever [aion, aiwna]. ... 16 And his house shall be made sure, and his kingdom for ever [aion, aiwnov] before me, and his throne shall be set up for ever [aion, aiwna]. " 2 Samuel 7:13 with 7:16
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 7:13 for ever [owlam], 16 for ever [owlam], for ever [owlam].
This is a prophetic statement concerning Christ. Christ's throne, as in kingdom reign, never ends in an everlasting sense.
"34 Give thanks to the Lord, for it is good, for his mercy is for ever [aion, aiwna]. ... 36 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting [aion, aiwnov] and to everlasting [aion, aiwnov]: ... 41 ... his mercy endures for ever [aion, aiwna]." 1 Chronicles 16:34, 36, 41
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 7:13 for ever [owlam], 16 for ever [owlam], for ever [owlam].
The Lord's mercy is eternal. The Lord God is blessed from everlasting to everlastingness. Repeating aion is an idiom that is always meant to emphasize the everlasting duration in a poetic superlative. Further, His mercy endures without ending.
"12 He shall build me a house, and I will set up his throne for ever [aion, aiwnov]. ... 14 And I will establish him in my house and in his kingdom for ever; and his throne shall be set up for ever [aion, aiwnov]. ... 23 And now, Lord, let the word which thouspokest to thy servant, and concerning his house, be confirmed for ever [aion, aiwnov], and do thou as thou hast spoken. ... 27 And now thou hast begun to bless the house of thy servant, so that it should continue for ever [aion, aiwna] before thee: for thou, Lord, hast blessed it, and do thou bless it for ever [aion, aiwna]." 1 Chronicles 17:12, 14, 23, 27
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 17:12 for ever [owlam], 14 for ever [owlam], 23 for ever [owlam], 27 for ever [owlam] for ever [owlam]
In this prophetic allusion to Christ who sits on the throne of David in an ongoing capacity forever, we see that God established David's throne forever, in God's house and kingdom forever. The blessing is forever, continuing in Christ in an ongoing basis.
"10 And king David blessed the Lord before the congregation, saying, Blessed art thou, O Lord God of Israel, our Father, from everlasting [aion, aiwnov] and to everlasting [aion, aiwnov]." 1 Chronicles 29:10
Hebrew Masoretic Text: everlasting [owlam], to everlasting [owlam]
David does not mean that God is only blessed temporarily for a finite age. David means always forever. Repeating aion is an idiom that is meant to emphasize the everlasting duration in a poetic superlative.
"5:13 ... they ... said, Give thanks to the Lord, for it is good, for his mercy endures for ever [aion, aiwna]:...3 ... all the children of Israel ... worshipped, and praised the Lord; for it is good to do so, because his mercy endures for ever [aion, aiwna]. ... 6 ... to give thanks before the Lord, for his mercy endures for ever [aion, aiwna], ... 20:21 they said, Give thanks to the Lord, for his mercy endures for ever [aion, aiwna]. 2 Chronicles 5:13, 7:3, 6, 20:21
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 5:13 for ever [owlam], 7:3 for ever [owlam], 7:6 for ever [owlam], 20:21 for ever [owlam]
This praise chorus exclaims that God's mercy is an eternal attribute of His.
"5 And the Levites, Jesus and Cadmiel, said, Rise up, bless the Lord our God for ever [aion, aiwnov] and ever [aion, aiwnov]: and let them bless thy glorious name, and exalt it with all blessing and praise." Nehemiah 9:5
Hebrew Masoretic Text: for ever [owlam], and ever [owlam]
God's name is blessed forever in poetic hyperbole of a chiastic idiom at the time of rising up, of which is continuously fulfilled in actuality in the eternal life of the saints.
"16 Take heed lest he rebuke thee: hear this, hearken to the voice of words. 17 Behold then the one that hates iniquities, and that destroys the wicked, who is for ever [aionios, aiwnion] just." Job 34:16-17
Hebrew Masoretic Text: Not found in the Masoretic
The eternal God is described as being forever just with the adjective aionios.
"5 Thou hast rebuked the nations, and the ungodly one has perished; thou hast blotted out their name for ever [aion, aiwna], even for ever [aion, aiwna] and ever [aion, aiwnov]. 6 The swords of the enemy have failed utterly; and thou hast destroyed cities: their memorial has been destroyed with a noise, 7 but the Lord endures for ever [aion, aiwna]: he has prepared his throne for judgment." Psalms 9:5-7
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 5 for ever [owlam], and ever [ad] (no third repeat in MT) 7 for ever [owlam]
The ungodly have perished with their name blotted out of the book with the chiastic superlative of aion repeated 3 times for extreme effect in describing foreverness. In contrast to the ungodly who are blotted out in perishing, the Lord does not perish, but endures in everlastingness.
"16 The Lord shall reign for ever [aion, aiwna], even for ever [aion, aiwna] and ever [aion, aiwnov]: you Gentiles shall perish out his land." Psalm 10:16
Hebrew Masoretic Text: for ever [owlam], and ever [ad] (no third repeate in the MT)
In contrast to perishing Gentiles, the Lord in a repeat of aion for hyperbolic effect, reigns forever, ever, and ever, on and on.
"26 The poor shall eat and be satisfied; and they shall praise the Lord that seek him: their heart shall live for ever [aion, aiwna] and ever [aion, aiwnov]." Psalm 22:26
Hebrew Masoretic Text: for ever [ad], (no repeat in the MT)
This is a Messianic Psalm stating that those who seek the Lord will live forever in the poetic chiastic idiomatic repeat of aion. This is a declaration of being Once Saved In Eternal Spiritual Salvation (OSIESS)
"8 The Lord is the strength of his people, and the saving defender of his anointed. 9 Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: and take care of them, and lift them up for ever [aion, aiwnov]." Psalm 28:8-9
Hebrew Masoretic Text: for ever [owlam]
This is a Messianic Psalm alluding to Christ, and those whom God saves as His inheritance, where He lifts them up forever beyond a closed age.
"10 The Lord will dwell on the waterflood: and the Lord will sit as king for ever [aion, aiwna]." Psalm 29:10
Hebrew Masoretic Text: for ever [owlam]
The Lord never ceases being king.
"11 But the counsel of the Lord endures for ever [aion, aiwna], the thoughts of his heart from generation to generation." Psalm 33:11
Hebrew Masoretic Text: for ever [owlam]
God's counsel and thoughts do not cease to exist, ever.
"16 A little is better to the righteous than abundant wealth of sinners. 17 For the arms of sinners shall be broken; but the Lord supports the righteous. 18 The Lord knows the ways of the perfect; and their inheritance shall be for ever [aion, aiwna]. 19 They shall not be ashamed in an evil time; and in days of famine they shall be satisfied. 20 For the sinners shall perish; and the enemies of the Lord at the moment of their being honoured and exalted have utterly vanished like smoke. ... 26 He is merciful, and lends continually; and his seed shall be blessed. 27 Turn aside from evil, and do good; and dwell for ever. 28 For the Lord loves judgment, and will not forsake his saints; they shall be preserved for ever [aion, aiwna]: the blameless shall be avenged, but the seed of the ungodly shall be utterly destroyed. 29 But the righteous shall inherit the earth, and dwell upon it for ever [aion, aiwna] and ever [aion, aiwnov]." Psalm 37:16-20, 26-29
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 19 for ever [owlam], 28 for ever [owlam], 29 for ever [ad] (no repeat in the MT)
This is a Messianic Psalm that expresses the everlasting foreverness of the salvation of those who are made righteous in Christ the Covenant.
"9 For even the man of my peace, in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, lifted up his heel against me. 10 But thou, O Lord, have compassion upon me, and raise me up, and I shall requite them. 11 By this I know that thou hast delighted in me, because mine enemy shall not rejoice over me. 12 But thou didst help me because of mine innocence, and hast established me before thee for ever [aion, aiwna]. 13 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting [aion, aiwnov], and to everlasting [aion, aiwna]. So be it, so be it." Psalm 41:9-13
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 12 for ever [owlam], 13 evelasting [owlam], to everlasting [owlam]
This is a Messianic Psalm prophesying the traitor Judas Iscariot. Christ is established in the presence of the Father forever, and not merely for a closed age. God is blessed forever in this chiastic pronouncement of eternality.
"My heart has uttered a good matter: I declare my works to the king: my tongue is the pen of a quick writer. 2 Thou art more beautiful than the sons of men: grace has been shed forth on thy lips: therefore God has blessed thee for ever [aion, aiwna]. 3 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O Mighty One, in thy comeliness, and in thy beauty; 4 and bend thy bow, and prosper, and reign, because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall guide thee wonderfully. 5 Thy weapons are sharpened, Mighty One, (the nations shall fall under thee) they are in the heart of the king’s enemies. 6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever [aion, aiwna] and ever [aion, aiwnov]: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a sceptre of righteousness. 7 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity: therefore God, thy God, has anointed thee with the oil of gladness beyond thy fellows. 8 Myrrh, and stacte, and cassia are exhaled from thy garments, and out of the ivory palaces, 9 with which kings’ daughters have gladdened thee for thine honour: the queen stood by on thy right hand, clothed in vesture wrought with gold, and arrayed in divers colours. 10 Hear, O daughter, and see, and incline thine ear; forget also thy people, and thy father’s house. 11 Because the king has desired thy beauty; for he is thy Lord. 12 And the daughter of Tyre shall adore him with gifts; the rich of the people of the land shall supplicate thy favour. 13 All her glory is that of the daughter of the king of Esebon, robed as she is in golden fringed garments, 14 in embroidered clothing: virgins shall be brought to the king after her: her fellows shall be brought to thee. 15 They shall be brought with gladness and exultation: they shall be led into the king’s temple. 16 Instead of thy fathers children are born to thee: thou shalt make them princes over all the earth. 17 They shall make mention of thy name from generation to generation: therefore shall the nations give thanks to thee for ever, [aion, aiwna] even for ever [aion, aiwna] and ever [aion, aiwnov]." Psalm 45:1-17
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 2 for ever [owlam], 6 for ever [ad] and ever [owlam], 17 for ever [ad], and ever [owlam], (no third repeate in the MT)
This is a Messianic Psalm concerning Christ and His bride. Aion in each instance is in reference to eternalness that does not stop.
"8 As we have heard, so have we also seen, in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God: God has founded it for ever [aion, aiwna]. Pause. ... 14 For this is our God for ever [aion, aiwna] and ever [aion, aiwna]: he will be our guide for evermore [aion, aiwnov]." Psalm 48:8, 14
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 8 for ever [owlam], 14 for ever [ad] and ever [owlam] (no third repeat at end in the MT, rather, al muwth, as a subscription of the following psalm, see Wallace)
This prophetic Psalm describes the Everlastingness of Zion in conjunction with the Eternal God. Even after physical death, this eternal guidance is fulfilled spiritually in Christ.
"7 A brother does not redeem, shall a man redeem? he shall not give to God a ransom for himself, 8 or the price of the redemption of his soul, though he labour for ever, 9 and live for ever [aion, aiwna], so that he should not see corruption. 10 When he shall see wise men dying, the fool and the senseless one shall perish together; and they shall leave their wealth to strangers. 11 And their sepulchres are their houses for ever [aion, aiwna], even their tabernacles to all generations: they have called their lands after their own names. 12 And man being in honour, understands not: he is compared to the senseless cattle, and is like to them. Psalm 49:7-12
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 9 for ever [netsach], 11 for ever [owlam]
People actually do see corruption in decay, so forever means forever v. 9. Their graves are their houses in their perishing forever, vv. 10-11.
"4 I will dwell in thy tabernacle for ever [aion, aiwnav]; I will shelter myself under the shadow of thy wings. Pause. 5 For thou, O God, hast heard my prayers; thou hast given an inheritance to them that fear thy name. 6 Thou shalt add days to the days of the king; thou shalt lengthen his years to all generations. 7 He shall endure for ever [aion, aiwna] before God: which of them will seek out his mercy and truth? 8 So will I sing to thy name for ever [aion, aiwna and ever [aion, aiwnov], that I may daily perform my vows." Psalm 61:4-8
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 4 for ever [owlam], 7 for ever [owlam], 8 for ever [ad] (there is no repeat in MT)
This poetic and prophetic hymn declares that the king shall have his years lengthened to all generations, in endurance that reflects this everlasting sense as forever before God. David will sing to God's name for eternity.
"17 Let his name be blessed for ever [aion, aiwnav]: his name shall endure longer than the sun: and all the tribes of the earth shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed. ... 19 And blessed is his glorious name for ever [aion, aiwna], even for ever [aion, aiwna] and ever [aion, aiwnov]: and all the earth shall be filled with his glory. So be it, so be it." Psalm 72:17, 19
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 17 for ever [owlam], 19 for ever [owlam] (The MT does not include two more repeats in the chiasm)
God's name endures longer than the sun and will be blessed forever; actually forever, even forever, and ever, so that we get the point.
"13 For we are thy people and the sheep of thy pasture; we will give thee thanks for ever [aion, aiwna]; we will declare thy praise throughout all generations." Psalm 79:13
Hebrew Masoretic Text: for ever [owlam]
The sense is that the thanks will never stop, made manifest in the poetic description of "we" delaring the praise throughout all generations.
"12 I will give thee thanks, O Lord my God, with all my heart; and I will glorify thy name for ever [aion, aiwna]. 13 For thy mercy is great toward me; and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest Hades." Psalm 86:12-13
Hebrew Masoretic Text: for ever [owlam]
This is a Messianic Psalm in a description of Christ. God's name will be glorified forever, and not just for a temporary time period.
"1 I will sing of thy mercies, O Lord, for ever [aion, aiwna]: I will declare thy truth with my mouth to all generations. 2 For thou hast said, Mercy shall be built up for ever [aion, aiwna]: thy truth shall be established in the heavens. 3 I made a covenant with my chosen ones, I sware unto David my servant. 4 I will establish thy seed for ever [aion, aiwnov], and build up thy throne to all generations. ... 24 But my truth and my mercy shall be with him; and in my name shall his horn be exalted. 25 And I will set his hand in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers. 26 He shall call upon me, saying, Thou art my Father, my God, and the helper of my salvation. 27 And I will make him my first-born, higher than the kings of the earth. 28 I will keep my mercy for him for ever [aion, aiwna], and my covenant shall be firm with him. 29 And I will establish his seed for ever [aion, aiwna] and ever [aion, aiwnov], and his throne as the days of heaven. ... 35 Once have I sworn by my holiness, that I will not lie to David. 36 His seed shall endure for ever [aion, aiwna], and his throne as the sun before me; 37 and as the moon that is established for ever [aion, aiwna], and as the faithful witness in heaven. Pause. 38 But thou hast cast off and set at nought, thou has rejected thine anointed. ... 52 Blessed be the Lord for ever [aion, aiwna]. So be it, so be it." Psalm 89:1-4, 24-29, 35-38, 52
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 1 for ever [owlam], 2 for ever [owlam], 4 for ever [owlam], 28 for ever [owlam], 29 [ad], (once in MT) 36 for ever [owlam], 37 for ever [owlam], 52 for ever [owlam]
Messianic Psalm indicating God's mercy will be declared forever, and that the Messiah, as David's seed will be established forever. Christ will sit on David's throne forever.
"1 Lord, thou hast been our refuge in all generations. 2 Before the mountains existed, and before the earth and the world were formed, even from everlasting [aion, aiwnov] to everlasting [aion, aiwnov], Thou art. 3 Turn not man back to his low place, whereas thou saidst, Return, you sons of men? 4 For a thousand years in thy sight are as the yesterday which is past, and as a watch in the night." Psalm 90:1-4
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 2 everlasting [owlam], to everlasting [owlam]
God has existed eternally before all things, and exists eternally in the future.
"5 How have thy works been magnified, O Lord! thy thoughts are very deep. 6 A foolish man will not know, and a senseless man will not understand this. 7 When the sinners spring up as the grass, and all the workers of iniquity have watched; it is that they may be utterly destroyed for ever [aion, aiwna]. 8 But thou, O Lord, art most high for ever [aion, aiwnov]. 9 For, behold, thine enemies shall perish; and all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered." Psalm 92:5-9
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 7 for ever [ad], 8 for ever [owlam]
Sinners and workers of iniquity shall be utterly destroyed forever. In Contrast, God is most high forever.
"2 Thy throne is prepared of old: thou art from everlasting [aion, aiwnov]." Psalm 93:2
Hebrew Masoretic Text: everlasting [owlam]
This is a Messianic Psalm describing Christ from eternity past
"4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with hymns; give thanks to him, praise his name. 5 For the Lord is good, his mercy is for ever [aion, aiwna]; and his truth endures to generation and generation." Psalm 100:4-5
Hebrew Masoretic Text: for ever [owlam]
God's mercy is forever, as well as his truth.
"12 But thou, Lord, endurest for ever [aion, aiwna], and thy memorial to generation and generation." Psalm 102:12
Hebrew Masoretic Text: for ever [owlam]
God is eternal and never ceases being God.
"31 Let the glory of the Lord be for ever [aion, aiwna]: ..." Psalm 104:31
Hebrew Masoretic Text: for ever [owlam]
The glory of the Lord never stops.
"8 He has remembered his covenant for ever [aion, aiwna], the word which he commanded for a thousand generations:" Psalm 105:8
Hebrew Masoretic Text: for ever [owlam]
God does not ever forget His covenant. The reference to a thousand generations is a statement of poetic exaggeration describing the ongoing continuance.
"1 Give thanks to the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever [aion, aiwna]. ... 30 Then Phinees stood up, and made atonement: and the plague ceased. 31 And it was counted to him for righteousness, to all generations for ever [aion, aiwnov]. " Psalm 106:1, 30-31
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 1 for ever [owlam] 31 for ever [owlam]
God's mercy is described as enduring without end. Phinees action was counted to him as righteousness forever, and not only temporarily.
"1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy endures for ever [aion, aiwna]." Psalm 107:1
Hebrew Masoretic Text: for ever [owlam]
The Lord's mercy endures forever.
"1 The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. 2 The Lord shall send out a rod of power for thee out of Sion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. 3 With thee is dominion in the day of thy power, in the splendours of thy saints: I have begotten thee from the womb before the morning. 4 The Lord sware, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever [aion, aiwna], after the order of Melchisedec." Psalm 110:1-4
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 4 for ever [owlam]
This is a Messianic Psalm. Christ is a priest forever without end. (see Hebrews 7)
"1 I will give thee thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart, in the council of the upright, and in the congregation. 2 The works of the Lord are great, sought out according to all his will. 3 His work is worthy of thanksgiving and honour: and his righteousness endures for ever [aion, aiwna] and ever [aion, aiwnov]. 4 He has caused his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is merciful and compassionate. 5 He has given food to them that fear him: he will remember his covenant for ever. 6 He has declared to his people the power of his works, to give them the inheritance of the heathen. 7 The works of his hands are truth and judgment: all his commandments are sure: 8 established for ever [aion, aiwna] and ever [aion, aiwnov], done in truth and uprightness. 9 He sent redemption to his people: he commanded his covenant for ever [aion, aiwna]: holy and fearful is his name. 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and all that act accordingly have a good understanding; his praise endures for ever [aion, aiwna] and ever [aion, aiwnov]." Psalm 111:1-10
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 3 for ever [ad] (The MT has no repeat), 8 for ever [owlam], and ever [ad], 9 for ever [owlam], 10 for ever [ad] (The MT has no repeat)
This is a Messianic Psalm. The Lord's righteousness is not temporal. The works of His hands, and His commandments are established forever. He commanded His covenant forever. His praise endures forever.
"1 Praise the Lord, you servants of his, praise, the name of the Lord. 2 Let the name of the Lord be blessed, from this present time and for ever [aion, aiwnov]." Psalm 113:1-2
Hebrew Masoretic Text: for ever [owlam]
The Lord is to be praised from that time, and after that without end.
"1 Praise the Lord, all you nations: praise him, all you peoples. 2 For his mercy has been abundant toward us: and the truth of the Lord endures for ever [aion, aiwna]." Psalm 117:1-2
Hebrew Masoretic Text: for ever [owlam]
This is a Messianic Psalm. The truth of the Lord has no end to its existence.
"1 Give thanks to the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever [aion, aiwna]. 2 Let now the house of Israel say, that he is good: for his mercy endures for ever [aion, aiwna]. 3 Let now the house of Aaron say, that he is good: for his mercy endures for ever [aion, aiwna]. 4 Let now all that fear the Lord say, that he is good: for his mercy endures for ever [aion, aiwna]. ... 29 Give thanks to the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever [aion, aiwna]." Psalm 118:1-4, 29
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 1 for ever [owlam], 2 for ever [owlam], 3 for ever 4 for ever [owlam], 29 for ever [owlam]
The Lord is good, and His mercy endures forever.
"142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting [aion, aiwna] righteousness, and thy law is truth." Psalm 119:142
Hebrew Masoretic Text: everlasting [owlam]
God's righteousness is righteousness that does not cease.
"10 For the sake of thy servant David turn not away the face of thine anointed. 11 The Lord sware in truth to David, and he will not annul it, saying, Of the fruit of thy body will I set a king upon thy throne. 12 If thy children will keep my covenant, and these my testimonies which I shall teach them, their children also shall sit upon thy throne for ever [aion, aiwnov]. 13 For the Lord has elected Sion, he has chosen her for a habitation for himself, saying, 14 This is my rest for ever [aion, aiwna] and ever [aion, aiwnov]: here will I dwell; for I have chosen it. 15 I will surely bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. 16 I will clothe her priests with salvation; and her saints shall greatly exult. 17 There will I cause to spring up a horn to David: I have prepared a lamp for mine anointed. 18 His enemies will I clothe with a shame; but upon himself shall my holiness flourish." Psalm 132:10-18
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 12 for ever [owlam], 14 for ever [ad] and ever [ad]
This Messianic Psalm describes God's children reigning with Christ forever.
"1 See now! what is so good, or what so pleasant, as for brethren to dwell together? 2 It is as ointment on the head, that ran down to the beard, even the beard of Aaron; that ran down to the fringe of his clothing. 3 As the dew of Aermon, that comes down on the mountains of Sion: for there, the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for ever [aion, aiwnov]." Psalm 133:1-3
Hebrew Masoretic Text: for ever [owlam]
The Lord commanded life forever for His elect people in the prophetic sense of Hebrews 11:13-40.
"13 O Lord, thy name endures for ever [aion, aiwna], and thy memorial to all generations." Psalm 135:13
Hebrew Masoretic Text: for ever [owlam]
God's name can never, and will never dissipate.
"1 I will exalt thee, my God, my king; and I will bless thy name for ever [aion, aiwna] and ever [aion, aiwna]. 2 Every day will I bless thee, and I will praise thy name for ever [aion, aiwna] and ever [aion, aiwnov]. 3 The Lord is great, and greatly to be praised; and there is no end to his greatness. ... 13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting [aion] kingdom, and thy dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is faithful in his words, and holy in all his works. 14 The Lord supports all that are falling, and sets up all that are broken down. 15 The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thougivest them their food in due season. 16 Thou openest thine hands, and fillest every living thing with pleasure. 17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. 18 The Lord is near to all that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. 19 He will perform the desire of them that fear him: and he will hear their supplication, and save them. 20 The Lord preserves all that love him: but all sinners he will utterly destroy. 21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever [aion, aiwna] and ever [aion, aiwnov]." Psalm 145 :1-3, 13-21
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 1 for ever [ad], and ever [owlam], 2 for ever [ad], and ever [owlam], 13 everlasting [owlam], 21 for ever [ad], and ever [owlam]
God's name will be exalted forever and ever. God's kingdom is everlasting. All flesh is to bless God's holy name forever.
"6 For a child is born to us, and a son is given to us, whose government is upon his shoulder: and his name is called the Messenger of great counsel: for I will bring peace upon the princes, and health to him. 7 His government shall be great, and of his peace there is no end: it shall be upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to support it with judgment and with righteousness, from hence forth and forever [aion, aiwna]. The seal of the Lord of hosts shall perform this." Isaiah 9:6-7
Hebrew Masoretic Text: for ever [owlam]
This is a Messianic prophecy of Christ Jesus. His peace shall have no end. Christ's Kingdom is forevermore, without end.
"4 they have trusted with confidence for ever [aion, aiwnov], the great, the eternal [aionios, aiwniov] God;" Isaiah 26:4
Hebrew Masoretic Text: for ever [owlam], the eternal [ad]
The eternal God is trusted forever with confidence.
"7 The Egyptians shall help you utterly in vain: tell them, This your consolation is vain. 8 Now then sit down and write these words on a tablet, and in a book; for these things shall be for many long days, and even for ever [aion, aiwna]." Isaiah 30:7-8
Hebrew Masoretic Text: for ever [owlam]
The things written in the book are not only for many long days, but forever.
"8 The grass withers, and the flower fades: but the word of our God abides for ever [aion, aiwna]. ... 28 And now, hast thou not known? hast thou not heard? the eternal [aionios, aiwniov] God, the God that formed the ends of the earth, shall not hunger, nor be weary, and there is no searching of his understanding." Isaiah 40:8, 28
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 8 for ever [owlam] 28 the eternal [owlam]
God's word abides forever though grass and flowers do not. God is the eternal God that formed everything that has a beginning.
"6 Lift up your eyes to the sky, and look on the earth beneath: for the sky was darkened like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and the inhabitants shall die in like manner: but my righteousness will be for ever [aion, aiwna]. ... 8 For as a garment will be devoured by time, and as wool will be devoured by a moth, so shall they be consumed; but my righteousness shall be for ever [aion, aiwna], and my salvation for all generations." Isaiah 51:6, 8
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 6 for ever [owlam] 8 for ever [owlam]
In this Messianic prophecy, inhabitants of the earth shall die, but God's righteousness will not. Though garments are devoured by time, and wool by a moth, God's righteousness is different. It shall be forever.
"3 Give heed with your ears, and follow my ways: hearken to me, and your soul shall live in prosperity; and I will make with you an everlasting [aionios, aiwnion] covenant, the sure mercies of David." Isaiah 55:3
Hebrew Masoretic Text: for ever [owlam]
This is a Messianic prophecy describing Christ as the everlasting covenant Himself. He, and His covenant, will not cease.
"15 Thus saith the Most High, who dwells on high for ever [aion, aiwna], Holy in the holies, is his name, the Most High resting in the holies, and giving patience to the faint-hearted, and giving life to the broken-hearted: 16 I will not take vengeance on you for ever [aion, aiwna], neither will I be always angry with you: for my Spirit shall go forth from me, and I have created all breath." Isaiah 57:15-16
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 15 for ever [ad] 16 for ever [owlam]
The Most High dwells on high forever without end. His vengeance will not continue forever, but will stop.
"21 And this shall be my covenant with them, said the Lord; My Spirit which is upon thee, and the words which I have put in thy mouth, shall never fail from thy mouth, nor from the mouth of thy seed, for the Lord has spoken it, henceforth and for ever [aion, aiwna]." Isaiah 59:21
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 21 for ever [owlam]
This Messianic prophecy describes the Lord speaking forth the promise henceforth and forever.
"8 For I am the Lord who loves righteousness, and hates robberies of injustice; and I will give their labour to the just, and will make an everlasting [aionios, aiwnion] covenant with them." Isaiah 61:8
Hebrew Masoretic Text: everlasting [owlam]
This is a Messianic prophecy concerning Christ the everlasting covenant.
"24 And my servant David shall be a prince in the midst of them: there shall be one shepherd of them all; for they shall walk in mine ordinances, and keep my judgments, and do them. 25 And they shall dwell in their land, which I have given to my servant Jacob, where their fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell upon it: and David my servant shall be their prince forever [aion, aiwna]. 26 And I will make with them a covenant of peace; it shall be an everlasting [aionios, aiwnia] covenant with them; and I will establish my sanctuary in the midst of them for ever [aion, aiwna]. 27 And my tabernacle shall be among them; and I will be to them a God, and they shall be my people. 28 And the nations shall know that I am the Lord that sanctifies them, when my sanctuary is in the midst of them for ever [aion, aiwna]." Ezekiel 37:24-28
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 25 for ever [owlam] for ever [owlam] (The MT gives owlam twice, the first in respect to dwelling. LXX does not give first) 28 for ever [owlam]
This is a Messianic prophecy. David, representing Christ, is prince forever. The New Covenant of peace is everlasting without ending. Christ is the eternal sanctuary.
"20 May the name of God be blessed from everlasting [aion, aiwnov] and to everlasting [aion, aiwnov]: for wisdom and understanding are his. ... 44 And in the days of those kings the God of heaven shall set up a kingdom which shall not be destroyed forever [aion, aiwnav]: and his kingdom shall not be left to another people, but it shall beat to pieces and grind to powder all other kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever [aion, aiwnav]." Daniel 2:20, 44
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 20 everlasting Aramaic--[alam], 44 for ever Aramaic--[alam], for ever Aramaic--[alam]
God's name is eternal. God's kingdom will not be destroyed forever. The kingdom shall stand forever.
"31 And at the end of the time I Nabuchodonosor lifted up mine eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised him that lives for ever [aion, aiwna], and gave him glory; for his dominion is an everlasting [aionios, aiwniov] dominion, and his kingdom lasts to all generations:" Daniel 4:31 (34)
Hebrew Masoretic Text: for ever Aramaic--[alam], everlasting Aramaic--[alam]
God does not live for only a closed age. He lives forever. His dominion is also in everlasting ongoingness.
"26 This decree has been set forth by me in every dominion of my kingdom, that men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living and eternal [aion, aiwnav] God, and his kingdom shall not be destroyed, and his dominion is to the uttermost." Daniel 6:26
Hebrew Masoretic Text: eternal Aramaic--[alam]
As the only God, He is the living God and eternal, with a kingdom that shall not be destroyed, ever.
"13 I beheld in the night vision, and, lo, one coming with the clouds of heaven as the Son of man, and he came on to the Ancient of days, and was brought near to him. 14 And to him was given the dominion, and the honour, and the kingdom; and all nations, tribes, and languages, shall serve him: his dominion is an everlasting [aionios, aiwniov] dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom shall not be destroyed." ... 17 These four beasts are four kingdoms that shall rise up on the earth: 18 which shall be taken away; and the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess it for ever [aion, aiwnov] and ever [aion, aiwnwn]. ... 24 And his ten horns are ten kings that shall arise: and after them shall arise another, who shall exceed all the former ones in wickedness and he shall subdue three kings. 25 And he shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change times and law: and power shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time. 26 And the judgment has sat, and they shall remove his dominion to abolish it, and to destroy it utterly. 27 And the kingdom and the power and the greatness of the kings that are under the whole heaven were given to the saints of the Most High; and his kingdom is an everlasting [aionios, aiwniov kingdom, and all powers shall serve and obey him." Daniel 7:13-14, 17-18, 24-27
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 14 everlasting Aramaic--[alam], 18 for ever Aramaic--[alam], ever Aramaic--[alam], and ever (MT has three in v. 18) 27 everlasting Aramaic--[alam]
This is a Messianic prophecy. Christ's dominion is everlasting, which shall not ever pass away, and His kingdom shall never ever be destroyed. the most high shall possess the kingdom he takes in v. 18. The Most High's kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
"24 Seventy weeks have been determined upon thy people, and upon the holy city, for sin to be ended, and to seal up transgressions, and to blot out the iniquities, and to make atonement for iniquities, and to bring in everlasting [aionios, aiwnion] righteousness, and to seal the vision and the prophet, and to anoint the Most Holy. " Daniel 9:24
Hebrew Masoretic Text: everlasting [owlam]
This is a Messianic prophecy of Christ. Sin will be ended. Transgressions will be sealed up. Iniquities will be blotted out. Atonement will be made for iniquities in the cross. This will bring everlasting righteousness that will not end.
"2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting [aionios, aiwnion] life, and some to reproach and everlasting [aionios, aiwnion] shame. 3 And the wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and some of the many righteous as the stars for ever and ever. ... 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was over the water of the river, and he lifted up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and sware by him that lives for ever [aion, aiwna], that it should be for a time of times and half a time: when the dispersion is ended they shall know all these things." Daniel 12:2-3, 7
Hebrew Masoretic Text: 2 everlasting [owlam] everlasting [owlam], 7 for ever [owlam]
This is Messianic prophecy of salvation for some, which is defined as everlasting life. It is also a prophecy of damnation for others, which is defined as reproach, and everlasting shame.
"2 And thou, Bethlehem, house of Ephratha, art few in number to be reckoned among the thousands of Juda; yet out of thee shall one come forth to me, to be a ruler of Israel; and his goings forth were from the beginning, even from eternity [aion, aiwnov]. " Micah 5:2
Hebrew Masoretic Text: eternity [owlam]
This is Messianic prophecy of Christ. He is described as being from the beginning, and even from before that--from eternity.
EXAMPLES OF WHEN AION AND AIONIOS ARE NOT CLOSED AS EVERLASTING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT GREEK:
"If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life [zoe] crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal [aionios, aiwnion] fire." Matthew 18:8
The fire in this proclamation is described with the adjective that is meant to indicate an ongoing sense of destructive force from the fire, as well as the enduring perseverance of the fire.
"16 And someone came to Him and said, 'Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe]?' 17 And He said to him, 'Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life [zoe], keep the commandments.' ... 21 Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.' 22 But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property. 23 And Jesus said to His disciples, 'Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.' 25 When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, 'Then who can be saved [sozo]?' 26 And looking at them Jesus said to them, 'With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.' 27 Then Peter said to Him, 'Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?' 28 And Jesus said to them, "Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe]." Matthew 19
The man in this instance did not ask Jesus how he could attain something speciously referred to as age enduring life of a finite duration. The man wanted to know about living forever. Jesus referred to it as entering into life. In conjunction with this, the man can also attain treasure in heaven. The disciples refer to this state as being saved. In respect to all of these things, Jesus tells the disciples they will sit on twelve thrones in respect to their own aspect of inheriting eternal life.
"31 But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33 and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ... 41 "Then He will also say to those on His left, ' Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal [aionios, aiwnion] fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;" ... 46 These will go away into everlasting [aionios, aiwnion] punishment, but the righteous into everlasting [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe]." Matthew 25:46
At Matthew 25:41, the sense of the adjective aionios, is that the fire is of a long duration that is open in terms of length. The chiastic parallel construction of verse 46, demonstrates that the punishment is meant to be described by the same sense of the adjective as the reward. The punishment for the goats on the left is everlasting. The reward for the sheep on His right is also everlasting. Unlike the false doctrine of universalism, Jesus is saying that both the punishment for the accursed ones is as eternally enduring as the life of the righteous ones. Instead of being esoteric and failing to teach his point in a concise and easy to understand way, Jesus determined to use the precise words to convey the precise meaning in an easy to understand way.
"29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never [ouk eis aion] has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal [aionios, aiwniou] sin" Mark 3:29
The person who commits the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit never ever has forgiveness, ever. The person is guilty of an everlasting sin that demonstrates their perpetual lostness.
"17 As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe]?' ... 21 ... go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.' ... 23 ... 'How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!' 24 The disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.' 26 They were even more astonished and said to Him, 'Then who can be saved [sozo]?' 27 Looking at them, Jesus said, 'With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.' 28 Peter began to say to Him, 'Behold, we have left everything and followed You.' 29 Jesus said, 'Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel's sake, 30 but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age [kairos, time, age], houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age [aion, time] to come, eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe].'" Mark 10:17-30
This incident reflects Matthew 19. Having treasure in heaven is associated with inheriting eternal life for the man. It is also associated with being saved. There is a present time using the Greek word kairos, contrasted with a future time using aion, but the future time is qualified even further as being the inheritance continuation of eternal life.
18 A ruler questioned Him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe]?"... 22 ... Jesus ... said to him, "One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." 23 But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24 And Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! 25 "For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 26 They who heard it said, "Then who can be saved [sozo]?" 27 But He said, "The things that are impossible with people are possible with God." 28 Peter said, "Behold, we have left our own homes and followed You." 29 And He said to them, "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times as much at this [touto] time [kairos] and in the age [aion, time] to come, eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe]." Luke 18:18-30
This incident reflects Matthew 19, and Mark 10. The ruler wants to know what to do to inherit life that will go on eternally. Eternal life is what matters; not merely a closed age enduring kind of life. As in the other instances, the disciples refer to this as being saved. There is the current age, which is referred to as kairos touto. There is the ongoing age to come which is referred to by a different Greek noun, aion, which has the kind of forever enduring life described by the adjective aionios.
"'31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever [aion], and His kingdom will have no end [ouk telos]." Luke 1:31-33
Christ Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. His reign over the house of Jacob is not for a closed age. It is forever.
"46 And Mary said: 'My soul exalts the Lord, 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior [soter]. 48 ... from this time on all generations will count me blessed. ... 50 AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM. ... '54 He has given help to Israel His servant, in remembrance of His mercy, 55 as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever [aion]." Luke 1:46-55
Mary rejoices in God her savior in respect to the spoken promise concerning Christ Jesus that is meant to be forever, and not temporal.
"25 And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe]?" 26 And He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?" 27 And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.' 28 And He said to him, "You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE [zao]." Luke 10:25-28
The lawyer, of course, is concerned with inheriting everlasting life. He is not concerned with a closed age life outside the inheriance. Christ prophesies at the end of this passage that the lawyer will live if he does certain things. Christ's reference to to the important term, living, has to do with the lawyers question. The lawyer asked about what to do to inherit eternal, ongoing, life, and not temporal, closed age, life. loving your Lord God with all your heart, soul, strenght, and mind, is to truly love the Messiah as Lord and Savior.
"10 Jesus answered and said to him [Nicodemus] ... 12 ... how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? ... 14 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe]. 16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish [appollumi], but have eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe]. ... 27 John [the baptist] answered [John's disciples] and said ... 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe]; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life [zoe], but the wrath [orge] of God abides on him." John 3:12-16, 35-36
Christ is explaining how to have eternal ongoing life to Nicodemus. It is of course, belief in Christ Jesus as Messiah, Lord, and Savior. To perish is the opposite state of having eternal life. He who believes in the Son has eternal, everlasting, ongoing life, but the one who does not obey the son by believing in Him, will not see life, but the wrath of God, which results in perishing, abides on such a person.
"10 Jesus answered and said to her [Samaritan woman at Jacob's well], 'If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." 11 She said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water? ... 13 Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe]." John 4:10-14
Jesus explains to the Samaritan woman how to have everlasting life--not temporal closed age life that ends. He gives living water. Drinking of Christ's water will quench one's thirst forever. The water becomes a well that springs up to life that is eternal without end.
"24 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe], and does not come into judgement [krisis], but has passed out of death into life [zoe]. 25 Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live [zao]. 26 For just as the Father has life [zoe] in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life [zoe] in Himself; 27 and He gave Him authority to execute judgement [krisis], because He is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, 29 and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life [zoe], those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgement [krino]. 30 I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge [krino]; and My judgment [krino] is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. ... 39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe]; it is these that testify about Me; 40 and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life [zoe]." John 5:24-40
Those who believe the Father concerning the Son have eternal life in contrast to coming into dooming judgement. They have passed out of death into life that lasts forever. Those who hear, in the idiomatic sense of positive reception, will live. Those who come forth to a resurrection of life, experience it eternally. The evil, to a resurrection of dooming judgement. Men search the Scriptures to have eternal life that goes on forever, but those men are unwilling to come to Christ, therefore they have temporal life, and of course, that life is the eternal life they search the Scriptures for. They are not searching the Scriptures for mere, closed age, temporal, life.
"'27 Do not work for the food which perishes [appollumi], but for the food which endures to eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe], which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.' 28 Therefore they said to Him, 'What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?" 29 Jesus answered and said to them, 'This is the work of God [not of man], that you believe in Him whom He has sent.' ... 32 ... it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. 33 For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life [zoe] to the world.' 34 Then they said to Him, 'Lord, always [pantote] give us this bread.' 35 Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life [zoe]; he who comes to Me will not [peinao with ou, indicating "will never"] hunger, and he who believes in Me will never [dipsao with me, indicating "will never"] thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me [the work of God, v. 29], and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not [me] cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe], and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.' ... 43 Jesus answered and said to them, ... 44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, 'AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me. ... 47 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe]. 48 I am the bread of life [zoe]. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not [me] die [apothnesko]. 51 I am the living [zao] bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live [zao] forever [aion]; and the bread also which I will give for the life [zoe] of the world is My flesh." 52 Then the Jews began to argue with one another, saying, "How can this man give us His flesh to eat?" 53 So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life [zoe] in yourselves. 54 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe], and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57 As the living [zao] Father sent Me, and I live [zao] because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also will live [zao] because of Me. 58 This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate and died [apothnesko]; he who eats this bread will live [zao] forever [aion].' ... '63 It is the Spirit who gives life [zoopoieo]; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life [zoe]. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. 65 And He was saying, 'For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father." 66 As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, "You do not want to go away also, do you?" 68 Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal [aionios, aiwniou] life [zoe]. 69 We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God." 70 Jesus answered them, "Did I Myself not elect you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?" 71 Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him. John 6:27-71
There is food that endures to eternal life, which means it does not perish, ever. To work for this food is what is required. The work itself, is the work of God that people believe in Christ whom God has sent. Christ, as the bread, is who gives life. Coming to Him, one will never hunger, nor thirst, ever. Everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have life without ending, and Christ Himself will raise him up on the last day. Those who eat of the bread of heaven will not die. Whoever eats it will live forever in an everlasting sense. The bread is Christ. Unless people eat of Christ, they have not life in themselves. He who eats Christ flesh and blood has everlasting, eternal, ongoing life, and Christ will raise him up on the last day. The Spirit gives life. The words that Christ has spoken, are spirit and are life. In fact, like Peter says, they are words of eternal, everlasting, ongoing, never stopping, life.
"21 Then He said again to them, "I go away, and you will seek Me, and will die [apothnesko] in your sin; where I am going, you cannot come." ... 23 And He was saying to them, "You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. 24 Therefore I said to you that you will die [apothnesko] in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die [apothnesko] in your sins.' ... 34 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35 "The slave does not remain in the house forever [aion]; the son does remain forever [aion]. ... 51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never [me] see death [thanatos]. 52 The Jews said to Him, ... Abraham died [apothnesko], and the prophets also; and You say, 'If anyone keeps My word, he will never taste of death [thanatos].' 53 Surely You are not greater than our father Abraham, who died [apothnesko]? The prophets died [apothnesko] too; whom do You make Yourself out to be?" 54 Jesus answered, "If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, 'He is our God';" John 8:21-54
The Pharisees, who rejected Christ, will die in their sin. Unless they believe that Jesus is the Messiah, they will die in their sins. Everyone is a slaves of sin, demonstrated in the committing of sin (cf. Romans 6 and 8). The slave does not remain in the house forever. Christ does. If any one keeps Christ's word, he will never, ever, see death, in everlasting, ongoing, life.
14 "I am the good shepherd, and I know My own [sheep] and My own know Me, 15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life [zoe] for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. ... 26 "But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe] to them, and they will never [me] perish [appollumi]; and no one will snatch them out of My hand." John 10:14-28
Christ, the Shepherd gives eternal, everlasting, life to His sheep who follow Him. They will never, ever, perish, as the opposite of living forever. No on will snatch them out of Christ's hand, ever.
"24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies [apothnesko], it remains alone; but if it dies [apothnesko], it bears much fruit. 25 He who loves his life [zoe] loses it, and he who hates his life [zoe] in this world will keep it to life [zoe] eternal [aionios, aiwnion]. 26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. ... 34 The crowd then answered Him, 'We have heard out of the Law that the Christ is to remain forever [aion]; and how can You say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?" ... 37 But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet which he spoke: "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT? AND TO WHOM HAS THE ARM OF THE LORD BEEN REVEALED?" 39 For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, '40 HE HAS BLINDED THEIR EYES AND HE HARDENED THEIR HEART, SO THAT THEY WOULD NOT SEE WITH THEIR EYES AND PERCEIVE WITH THEIR HEART, AND BE CONVERTED AND I HEAL THEM." ... "44 And Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me. 45 He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me. 46 I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not [me] remain [meno] in darkness. 47 If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has One who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. 50 I know that His commandment is eternal [aionios, aiwniov] life [zoe]; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me." John 12:24-50
The grain that dies will bear much living fruit. He who hates his life in this world will keep it eternally, forever, as fruit from Christ the Grain. Christ is to remain forever, and ever, without end. Those who believe in Christ will not remain in darkness but be enlightened forever. The Father's commandment is eternal, everlasting, ongoing life.
"1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe] to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal [aionios, aiwniov] life [zoe], that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." John 17:1-3
Christ gives eternal, everlasting, life to the people that God in His sovereign election has given to Christ. This is eternal life, that they know God and His Christ.
"46 Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first; since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting [aionios, aiwniou] life [aion], behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 "For so the Lord has commanded us, 'I have placed you as a Light to the Gentiles, that you my bring salvation [soteria] to the end of the earth.'" 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to everlasting [aionios, aiwnion] life [aion] believed." Acts 13:46-47
The Israelites of Pisidian Antioch, judged their own selves to be unworthy of everlasting life in the Messiah. The Gentiles (non ethnic Israel) need the eternal spiritual salvation in Christ that God is bringing to the end of the earth in the gospel. Gentiles in Pisidian Antioch, were sovereignly appointed to everlasting, ongoing, never ending, life, and so they believed.
"20 For since the creation of the world His [God's] invisible attributes, His eternal [aidios] power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. ... For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever [aion]. Amen." Romans 1:20-25
God's eternal power has been seen. He is the Creator who is blessed forever without end.
"4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath [orge] for yourself in the day of wrath [orge] and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS: 7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality [aphtharsia], eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe]; 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath [orge] and indignation [thumos, ie. anger]. 9 There will be tribulation [thlipsis] and distress [stenochoria] for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek [Gk. Hellen, as a representation of Gentiles]," Romans 2:4-9
Some people in perseverance in doing good in Christ, seek immortality, which is equated with eternal life. Wrath, judgment, tribulation, distress, and indignation await every soul of man who does evil. This wrath is both for Jews and also for Greeks, which are Gentiles.
"21 so that, as sin reigned in death [thanatos], even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe] through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 5:21
Sin reigned in death. Grace would reign through righteousness to eternal, everlasting, ongoing life through Christ "our" (believers of the Roman epistle context) Lord.
"21 Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you [who are aved spiritually in Christ] are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death [thanatos]. 22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you [saved person] derive your benefit, resulting in being set apart, and the outcome, eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe]. 23 For the wages of sin is death [thanatos], but the free gift of God is eternal [aionios, aiwniov] life [zoe] in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:21-23
The affinity things of the lost world, that Christians were once a part of, have a natural outcome of death. Now being freed from sin, and enslaved to God as saved people, the spiritual benefit is the outcome of eternal, everlasting, ongoing, life. The paycheck of sin is death. The free gift of God is ongoing, everlasting, eternal life in Christ Jesus "our" (Christians by grace through faith) Lord.
"5 whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever [aion]. Amen." Romans 9:5
God is not blessed temporarily in a closed sense. He is blessed forever.
"36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever [aion]. Amen." Romans 11:36
To God is not the glory temporarily in a closed sense. To God is the glory forever.
"25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long [chronos] ages [aionios, aiwnioiv] past, 26 but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal [aionios, aiwniou] God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever [aion]. Amen." Romans 16:25-27
God is eternal in an open sense of vastness. To only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be glory forever. The glory is not closed to a finite time.
"16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal [aionios, aiwnion] weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal [aionios, aiwnia]. 5:1 For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal [aionios, aiwnion] in the heavens." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, 5:1
The weight of glory is eternal. The things which are not seen are eternal. Our glorified spiritual bodies in the heavenlies are eternal.
"as it is written," HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER [aion]." 2 Corinthians 9:9
God's righteousness endures forever in an eternal sense.
"The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed forever [aion], knows that I am not lying." 2 Corinthians 11:31
God is not blessed temporarily. He is blessed forever without end.
"3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue [exairio] us from this present evil age [aion], according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever [aion] more [aion]. Amen." Galatians 1:3-5
The present evil time is the time that pre-death people live in the world of sin and death. The rescue is salvation. where God rescues people by transferring them out of the domain of darkness into the kingdom of His dear Son. The evil age will end in the eschatological future which is beyond AD 70 when there will be no more evil. There is still evil. To God be the glory forever, and ever, always without end. Repeating aion is an idiom that is meant to emphasize the everlasting duration in a poetic superlative.
"6 The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe]. 9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." Galatians 6:6-9
The eternal life things are the things of the eternal Christ in our eternal salvation that we reap now from sowing to the Spirit.
"10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal [aion] purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. ... 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever [aion] and ever [aion]. Amen." Ephesians 3:10-12, 20-21
God's purpose is eternal in every sense of the word. To God be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever, and ever in everlastingness. Repeating aion is an idiom that is meant to emphasize the everlasting duration in a poetic superlative.
"Now to our God and Father be the glory forever [aion] and ever [aion]. Amen." Philippians 4:20
Glory be to our God and father forever and ever in everlastingness. Repeating aion is an idiom that is meant to emphasize the everlasting duration in a poetic superlative.
"6 For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing out retribution [ekdikesis] to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will pay the penalty of eternal [aionios, aiwnion] destruction [olethros], away [apo] from the presence [prosopon] of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed--for our testimony to you was believed." 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10
Those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus, will pay the penalty of eternal, ongoing, everlasting, destruction away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.
"16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal [aionios, aiwnian] comfort and good hope by grace," 2 Thessalonians 2:16
Saved people have been given everlasting, ongoing, eternal, comfort by grace.
15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save [sozo] sinners, among whom I [Paul] am foremost of all. 16 Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe [pisteuo] in Him for eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe]. 17 Now to the King eternal [aion], immortal [aphthartos], invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever [aion] and ever [aion]. Amen." 1 Timothy 1:15-17
Those who believe in Jesus Christ are believing for eternal, everlasting, ongoing life. It is not simply a life enduring in a temporary sense. God, as Christ, is the eternal King who is immortal in respect to His eternality where honor and glory are His forever and ever without end.
"10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal [aionios, aiwniou] life [zoe] to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ... 15 ... he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality [athanasia], who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal [aionios, aiwnion] dominion. Amen." 1 Timothy 6:10-16
The eternal life, which is the Christocentric spiritual aspect to which Timothy was called, is not a temporal age life. It is eternal. This is demonstrated in the fact that God alone has immortality which is longer than a closed age, and in this state, he has eternal dominion that does not cease.
"who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity [aionios, aiwniwn]," 2 Timothy 1:9
God's purpose and grace in Christ Jesus is from all eternity, as an adjective.
"10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are elect, so that they also may obtain the salvation [soteria] which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal [aionios, aiwniou] glory. 11 It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live [zao] with Him; 12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny [arneomai] us; 13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself." 2 Timothy 2:10-13
The elect obtain salvation and eternal glory in Christ that is really eternal. If we died with Christ positionally with Christ, we will live with Him. If we deny Him, He will also deny us, not receive us.
"The Lord will rescue [rhoumai] me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely [sozo] to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever [aion] and ever [aion]. Amen." 2 Timothy 4:18
To the Lord be the glory forever and ever, in an everlasting sense.
"1 Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those elect of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, 2 in the hope of eternal [aionios, aiwniou] life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long [chronos] ages [aionios, aiwniwn] ago, 3 and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;" Titus 1:1-3
The hope is of eternal life, and not life that is confined to a closed age. God promised long ages ago in the idiomatic sense of hyperbole as an open term without a definitive close.
"5 He saved [sozo] us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior [soter], 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal [aionios, aiwniou] life [zoe]." Titus 3:5-7
The spiritual salvation is by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit through the Savior, Christ, so that being made righteous by His grace, we would be made heirs in our salvation according to the hope of eternal, everlasting, ongoing, life in Christ the covenant.
"For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever [aionios, aiwnion]," Philemon 1:15
Hyperbolic idiom signifying ongoingness.
"But of the Son He says," YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER [aion] AND EVER [aion], AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM." Hebrews 1:8
God's throne is forever, and ever without end.
"5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself so as to become a high priest, but He who said to Him, "YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU"; 6 just as He says also in another passage, "YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER [aion] ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.'" 7 In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers ... 9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal [aionios, aiwniou] salvation [soteria], 10 being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek." ... "6:1 Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection [anastasis] of the dead and eternal [aionios, aiwniou] judgment [krima]." ... "6:20 where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever [aion] according to the order of Melchizedek. ... "7:3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually [eis dienekes]. ... 7:17 For it is attested of Him," YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER [aion] ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK." ... 7:21 (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him," THE LORD HAS SWORN AND WILL NOT CHANGE HIS MIND, 'YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER [aion]'"); ... 7:24 but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues [meno] forever [aion], holds His priesthood permanently [aparabatos]. ... "25 Therefore He is able also to save [sozo] forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives [zao] to make intercession for them. ... 28 For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever [aion]. " Hebrews 5:5-10, 6:1-2, 6:20 & 7:3, 7:21, 7:24-28
Christ is not a temporary priest. Christ is a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Christ is the source of eternal, ongoing, salvation. A basic teaching of Christianity is the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgement of unbelievers 6:2. Christ is a high priest forever, remaining a priest perpetually, holding His priesthood permanently. He always lives to make intercession. Christ, the Son, was made perfect forever in His humanity.
"11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; 12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal [aionios, aiwnian] redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal [aionios, aiwniou] Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal [aionios, aiwniou] inheritance." Hebrews 9:11-15
The redemption Christ obtained is eternal, everlasting, and ongoing. The Spirit is eternal. The inheritance of those who have been called is eternal.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ... Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal [aionios, aiwniou] covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever [aion] and ever [aion]. Amen." Hebrews 13:8, 20-21
The New Covenant is eternal, without end. God, through Jesus Christ, is to whom the glory is forever, and ever, and not merely for a finite length of time.
"23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring [meno] word of God. 24 For, "ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF, 25 BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER [aion]" And this is the word which was preached to you." 1 Peter 1:23-25
The word of God endures forever without end.
"Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever [aion] and ever [aion]. Amen." 1 Peter 4:11
To God belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever without end.
"10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal [aionios, aiwnion] glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 11 To Him be dominion forever [aion] and [aion] ever. Amen." 1 Peter 5:10-11
God calls His people to eternal glory in Christ and not temporal glory. To Him be the dominion forever and ever as an everlasting, ongoing, dominion that never stops.
"for in this way the entrance into the eternal [aionios, aiwnion] kingdom of our Lord and Savior [soter] Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you." 2 Peter 1:11
The kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is eternal. It is not temporary.
"18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior [soter] Jesus Christ To Him be the glory, both now [nun] and to the day [hemera] of eternity [aion]. Amen." 2 Peter 3:18
Literally, the "eternal day."
"2 and the life [zoe] was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe], which was with the Father and was manifested to us--" 1 John 1:2
Christ is the eternal life.
"The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives [Gk. meno, continues] forever [aion]." 1 John 2:17
The one who does God's will lives forever in the everlasting sense.
"25 This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe]." 1 John 2:25
The promise is not temporal life of a closed duration. The promise is eternal life.
"Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe] abiding [meno] in him." 1 John 3:15
No murderer has eternal, everlasting, ongoing, spiritual life of Christ abiding in Him.
"And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe], and this life [zoe] is in His Son. ... These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe]. ... And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal [aionios, aiwniov] life [zoe]." 1 John 5:11, 13, 20
Saved people, who believe, have been given eternal life in Christ, the Father's Son. Those who believe in the name of the Son of God, can know that they have eternal life. Jesus Christ is the true God and eternal life.
"for the sake of the truth which abides [meno] in us and will be with us forever [aion]:" 2 John 1:2
God's truth abide in saved people, and will be with them forever, without end.
"6 And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal [aidios] bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day, 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal [aionios, aiwniou] fire." Jude 1:6-7
Two different Greek words are used by Jude in the same contextual point where both express eternality in semantic confirmation, ie. aidios, with aionios. Jude says that the angels are kept in eternal aidios bonds, "just as" Sodom and Gomorrah, which are exhibited for one primary example of undergoing punishment of eternal fire. The actual cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were both destroyed by fire and have never been restored, and never shall be (See FOOTNOTE 1 below for discussion of EZEKIEL 16).
"21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal [aionios, aiwnion] life [zoe]." Jude 1:21
The mercy of the Lord is not to temporal life of a closed age. It is for eternal, everlasting life.
"12 These are the men [false Christians] who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever [aion]." Jude 1:12-13
The black darkness has been from the past, reserved forever, in time continuance, reflecting openness to aion, ie. forever.
"to the only God our Savior [soter], through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever [aion]. Amen." Jude 1:25
This doxology is concerning God our Savior and attributes of His identity before all time, now, and forever more in a never ending sense.
"and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father--to Him be the glory and the dominion forever [aion] and ever [aion]. Amen." Revelation 1:6
Typically, the language of Revelation uses apocalyptic symbolism to describe realities. In this case, the reality is: To God be glory and dominion forevermore, in an everlasting eternality.
"and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive [zao] forever [aion] more [aion], and I have the keys of death and of Hades." Revelation 1:18
Typically, the language of Revelation uses apocalyptic symbolism to describe realities. In this case, the reality is: Christ is alive eternally, forever, and ever. He will never, ever die.
"9 And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives [zao] forever [aion] and ever [aion], the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives [zao] forever [aion] and ever [aion], and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying," Revelation 4:9-10
The language of Revelation uses apocalyptic symbolism to describe realities. In this instance, there is an allussion to the same angelic like beings of Isaiah 6:3. The four living creatures do not cease to give glory to Christ who actually lives forever, and ever. He will not die.
"And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, 'To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever [aion] and ever [aion].'" Revelation 5:13
The language of Revelation uses apocalyptic symbolism to describe realities. With this in mind, Christ the King, who is also the Lamb resurrected, has blessing, honor, glory, and dominion forever and ever in an everlasingness that does not stop.
"saying, 'Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever [aion] and ever [aion] Amen.'" Revelation 7:12
Typically, the language of Revelation uses apocalyptic symbolism to describe realities. In this case, the reality is: God's blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might does not end.
"and swore by Him who lives [zao] forever [aion] and ever [aion], WHO CREATED HEAVEN AND THE THINGS IN IT, AND THE EARTH AND THE THINGS IN IT, AND THE SEA AND THE THINGS IN IT, that there will be delay no longer," Revelation 10:6
Typically, the language of Revelation uses apocalyptic symbolism to describe realities. In this case, the reality is: God as Christ, lives forever, and ever without end.
"Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever [aion] and ever [aion].'" Revelation 11:15
The language of Revelation uses apocalyptic symbolism to describe realities. It is a reality that Christ will reign eternally without end.
"And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal [aionios, aiwnion] gospel [good news] to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; ... And the smoke of their torment goes up forever [aion] and ever [aion]; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name." Revelation 14:6, 11
The language of Revelation uses apocalyptic symbolism to describe realities. The good news of Christ is an everlasting fact that can not fade away. Those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name, v. 9, have smoke of their torment that goes up forever, and ever in the repetitive idiom which magnifies the eternality. Having no rest "night and day," whether symbolic, or literal, magnifies the relentless inability for this state to be stopped, or reversed. Even if supposed "literal" days and nights cease, forever and ever, in the double idiom, continues on in open everlastingness to express the unending damnation. (see symbolism of "month" with "night" in Revelation 22:1-5 below. For more of the day-night motif in Revelation see, 4:8, 7:15, 12:10, 20:10)
"Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath [orge] of God, who lives [zao] forever [aion] and ever [aion]." Revelation 15:7
Typically, the language of Revelation uses apocalyptic symbolism to describe realities. In this case, the reality is: God lives forever and ever in the repetitive idiom magnifying the eternality.
"And a second time they said, " Hallelujah! HER [the great harlot of context] SMOKE RISES UP FOREVER [aion] AND EVER [aion]." Revelation 19:3
The language of Revelation uses apocalyptic symbolism to describe realities. Here, the great harlot's smoke of her destruction is described in the hyperbolic sense of rising up forever and, and ever, indicating the reality of the eternity of her destruction.
"And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever [aion] and ever [aion]." Revelation 20:10
The language of Revelation uses apocalyptic symbolism to describe realities. Here, the devil, the beast, and the false prophet, are said to be tormented "day and night" in connection with forever and ever in the repetitive aion idiom that mangnifies the eternity. Day and night used as symbolism is a poignant expression for indicating relentless continuousness. Even if supposed "literal" days and nights cease, forever and ever, in the double idiom, continues on in open everlastingness to express the unending damnation. (see symbolism of "month" with "night" in Revelation 22:1-5 below. For more of the day-night motif in Revelation see, 4:8, 7:15, 12:10, 14:11)
"1 Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2 in the middle of its street On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; 4 they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And there will no [ouk] longer [eti] be any night; and they will not [ouk] have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever [aion] and ever [aion]." Revelation 22:1-5The language of Revelation uses apocalyptic symbolism to describe realities. With this fact in mind, we see that there are months described in 22:2. Literal months have days and nights in them, compiled to make 12 months per year. Yet, the apocalyptic language of Revelation 20:10 focuses upon there no longer being any night. The night reference expresses that dark will cease to exist forever for the Lord's bond servants who serve Him v. 3, in the "set apart city of New Jerusalem" cf. 21:2. The term "day" is not mentioned in the text, signifying that Light is perpetually present. For the redeemed, there will not be a need for lamp light, or sun light, because God will illumine them in the city as in an unending day, and they will reign forever, and ever in the repetitive idiom magnifying the sense of eternity in a glorified state in contrast to the doom of the damned in Revelation 20:10. (For more of the day-night motif in Revelation see, 4:8, 7:15, 12:10, 14:11, 20:10).
