HC 58

Q58. What comfort do you receive from the article about the life everlasting?

Since I now already feel in my heart the beginning of eternal joy, I shall after this life possess perfect blessedness, such as no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived-- a blessedness in which to praise God forever.

Proof texts

• John 17:3 — [3] And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
• Rom. 14:17 — [17] For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
• 2 Cor. 5:2-3 — [2] For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, [3] if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked.
• John 17:24 — [24] Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
• 1 Cor. 2:9 — [9] But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” —

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited John 17:3 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 5 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q29 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WSC Q30 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q29 · WSC Q30 · WSC Q31 · WSC Q32 · WLC Q57 · WCF 9.1 · BC 6.1 · BC 6.2 · BC 6.3 · CD 3.1 · 1689 9.1 · 1689 9.2 · 1689 9.3 · 1689 9.4 · 1689 9.5 · 1689 10.1 · 1689 10.2 · 1689 10.3 · 1689 10.4