Revelation 19:4-9
The first chapter of Matthew lists the lineage of Jesus Christ: 42 generations starting with the miracle child born to Abraham and ending with the miracle of deity assuming human form. In between are the names of a schemer, a prostitute, a murderer, kings, and former idol worshippers. These men and women had their lives transformed by God and, by His supernatural workings, were given a place in the ancestry of our Savior. God protected this line despite deceit, betrayal, war, captivity, and assimilation.
It is this same God who promises us eternal life through Jesus Christ. The Bible recounts promise after promise from God, and 2 Corinthians 1:20 reassures us that they are all “yes” in Christ. We who are born again through faith in Jesus are given a permanent place in God’s family, which is guaranteed by both the Father and the Son (John 10:28-29). The Holy Spirit is given to us as a seal of the pledge, ensuring that we will receive our eternal inheritance as children of God (2 Cor. 1:21-22).
For the guarantee of eternal life to take effect, there is but a single requirement—that we enter into a personal relationship with Christ. The Lord Himself registers our name in the Lamb’s book of life (Rev. 21:27). There are no additional specifications to meet for the guarantee to be in effect, and it remains in place forever. Eternal life belongs to us the instant we become children of God. The Lord has promised, and we can count on it. Hallelujah!
