I've often heard from Seventh-day Adventist advocates on social media that eternal life is promised only to Christians who remain faithful and continue to follow the Ten Commandments. They frequently cite the verse in 1 John 2:25,
1 John 2:25 (NIV) And this is what he promised us—eternal life.
At first glance, it appears that the SDAs are correct, and the phrase "eternal life" is indeed a promise made by the Lord to His disciples. However, it cannot be fully experienced in the present. Consequently, they conclude that believers will only receive it in the future, during Christ's second coming
On the one hand, if we consider the context of 1 John, the Apostle John's conclusion differs from that of the SDAs. Let's take a look at 1 John 1:1-2:
1 John 1:1-2 (NIV) 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched —this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.
According to the apostle John, eternal life has been heard, seen, observed, touched, manifested, and confirmed by the early Christians. John identifies eternal life as none other than our Lord Jesus. He is called "the life" because He lives forever and possesses life in Himself (John 1:4; 11:25; 14:6). He is also the source of life and holds power over it (John 5:11). In this context, eternal life refers to the nature and quality of our relationship with God (John 5:24), which was exemplified in the life of Christ and subsequently experienced by Christians.
This means that eternal life is not merely a future hope, but a present reality that we can begin to experience the moment we enter into a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. True life is found through faithful belief in Jesus and a deep, personal relationship with Him (1 John 1:2, 6-7; 2:22-25; 5:20). The book of First John is a letter from the Apostle John to the Christians in Asia Minor, starting and ending with the theme of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
1 John 5:20 (NIV) We know also 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 by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
Apostle John's message is clear: to attain salvation and eternal life, one must accept the Son of God, Jesus Christ, into their life. If Jesus Christ is present in your life, you have eternal life. If He is not, you do not have salvation or eternal life. This is the essence of John's testimony.
1 John 5:11-13 (NIV) And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
It is important to note that the paragraph did not state, "And this is the testimony: that God has PROMISED us eternal life." Instead, it mentioned that God "has given" eternal life, using the past tense, not just that He will "give" it in the future. Furthermore, "where the Son is, there is life," meaning that if one claims to be in Christ, they should possess eternal life because Christ already dwells within them. The issue with the Seventh-day Adventist defenders' argument is how can they assert that a person is already saved and following the Ten Commandments if they do not yet have eternal life? Another significant problem with the SDA laymen defenders is that they are unaware they are contradicting their own prophet, Ellen White, whom they are attempting to defend. According to her book The Desire of Ages, page 388, eternal life begins to be experienced by believers when they receive the Holy Spirit of God in their hearts: “The Spirit of God, received into the heart by faith, is the beginning of the life eternal”
How can SDA defenders, who are mostly laymen and not inclined to read their theological books, especially the writings of Ellen White, reconcile this? As we continue our study of 1 John 5:11-14, the meaning of these verses becomes clear in The Amplified Bible translation:
1 John 5:11-13 (AMP) "And this is that testimony (that evidence): God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who possesses the Son has that life; he who does not possess the Son of God does not have that life. I write this to you who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) the name of the Son of God [in the peculiar services and blessings conferred by Him on men], so that you may know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that you [already] have life, yes, eternal life."
1 Juan 5:11-13 (AMP - Tagalog) "At ito ang patotoo (na katibayan): Binigyan tayo ng Diyos ng buhay na walang hanggan, at ang buhay na ito ay nasa Kanyang Anak. Ang nagtataglay ng Anak ay may ganoong buhay; isinulat ko ito sa inyo na naniniwala sa (sumunod, nagtitiwala, at umaasa) sa pangalan ng Anak ng Diyos [sa mga kakaibang serbisyo at pagpapala na ipinagkaloob Niya sa mga tao], upang inyong malaman [nang may matatag at ganap na kaalaman.] na kayo ay [mayroon nang] buhay, oo, buhay na walang hanggan."
Brothers and sisters, the Apostle John's purpose in writing to the believers in his time was clear. It was "so that you may know that you have eternal life" (present tense, not just in the future). This truth was affirmed by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself to Apostle John:
John 6:47 (TLB) “How earnestly I tell you this—anyone who believes in me already has eternal life!
Juan 6:47 (TLB-Tagalog) “Sinasabi ko sa inyo ito nang buong taimtim—ang sinumang sumampalataya sa akin ay mayroon nang buhay na walang hanggan!
Another compelling evidence from Jesus that eternal life is presently possessed by Christians is found in John 5:24-25.
John 5:24-25 (NIV) “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. 25 Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.
These words of Jesus Christ are truly good news for all, including Seventh-day Adventists or Sabadistas. May God touch their hearts to embrace the truth that believing in our Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and repenting of their sins brings salvation and eternal life. This aligns with Christ's teachings and means moving "from death to life," escaping judgment.
According to Christ, this salvation is presently available to all who accept Him: "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." (John 5:24 ESV). Brothers and sisters, in these statements, Christ is not referring to physical resurrection on the last day, but to the present moment when He spoke these words. Christ further explains, "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live" (John 5:25 ESV). The "resurrection" mentioned by Christ in John 5:24 pertains to spiritual rebirth, where individuals are reconciled to God after being separated from Him due to sin.
Ephesians 2:1, 5-6 (NIV) As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions —it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
It is genuinely disheartening to observe the plight of our Seventh-day Adventist brethren. They confidently engage in debates and social media activities, yet they do not claim to possess eternal life presently, viewing it as a promise reserved for the future return of Christ. They fail to recognize that if indeed they do not currently have eternal life, it implies they are not yet saved. According to Jesus' words in John 5:24, they have not "passed from death to life" and therefore remain spiritually separated from God, spiritually dead, and subject to His judgment. In fact, due to the clarity of Jesus Christ's words in John 5:24, even the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary acknowledges that eternal life in this passage is a present experience for those who are in Christ, not merely a promise for the future.
"Hath everlasting life. This declaration is more than a promise of eternal life to come; it is an assurance that the believer now and here may begin to enjoy life that is eternal in quality because he is united spiritually with His Lord, whose life He shares." [1]
The interpretations of Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) lay defenders on social media in the Philippines clearly diverge from those of recognized SDA theologians who authored the SDA Bible Commentary. For lay defenders, eternal life is seen as solely a promise, not yet realized. Conversely, in authoritative publications like the SDA Bible Commentary, eternal life is described as "more than a promise of eternal life to come; it is an assurance that the believer can begin to enjoy life now and here." Therefore, these lay SDA defenders cannot officially represent the doctrines of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in its entirety.
In my experience conversing with these laymen, I've noticed they often fabricate answers to avoid being caught off guard or embarrassed during discussions. The issue with Sabadistas highlights that these SDA defenders portray themselves as genuine advocates of SDA beliefs, yet it's clear they do not diligently study their official publications. As a result, they frequently contradict established SDA teachings. I find them unreliable as representatives of SDA doctrines. Therefore, I have chosen not to engage in discussions with them, as their views conflict with the official teachings of their church. Instead, I prefer to await opportunities for respectful and public debates with ordained pastors of the SDA church. However, it's important to note that while the official teaching of the SDA church asserts that eternal life is a present reality for a Sabadista, this does not guarantee the accuracy of their message of salvation. In truth, a glass containing purified or distilled water would not be safe to drink if even a drop of cyanide were mixed in. Likewise, we should not accept any "truth" that contains even a hint of "error." It has been demonstrated on numerous occasions that the pure gospel of salvation, as taught by the Seventh-day Adventist church as a whole, does not emphasize salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to the Scriptures alone, and for the glory of God alone. Instead, they blend elements of the Old and New Covenants, which can be seen as a form of spiritual adultery (Romans 7:1-4).
Seventh-day Adventists who assert they are with Christ but have not yet received eternal life are mistaken. The argument from the Holy Scriptures is clear: if Christ is present in your life, you already possess eternal life. Conversely, without Christ in your life, you lack eternal life and salvation. In God's view, your spirit is dead, and you are subject to His judgment. This is why the Lord likened those who have not yet received eternal life to the living dead.
1 John 3:15 (NIV) Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.
According to this passage, those who hate their brothers are labeled as "murderers" and are stated to "not have eternal life." Conversely, as a Christian, you should refrain from harboring hatred towards others because eternal life is already within you through the presence of Christ in your life.
Why do we still die when there is eternal life?
This question is often raised by Sabadistas, and my prayer is that this article will serve as a means for the Lord to illuminate them about the true gospel of salvation. Such inquiries highlight that the teachings of the Seventh-day Adventists do not lead their members to salvation. I feel deep concern for them because they are like sheep heading unknowingly to their demise, believing falsely that they are in the truth.
As discussed earlier, eternal life is not just a promise for future fulfillment; it is something we can experience now through our relationship with Christ. Apostle John emphasizes that possessing eternal life hinges on our connection with and understanding of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. If Christ is present in your life, then you already possess eternal life. However, if Christ is not yet present in your life, you have not yet attained eternal life or received salvation. This aligns with John 3:36, which states:
John 3:36 (NIV) Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
What does it mean to have eternal life with Christ in your life? According to The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary's entry on Eternal Life:
"Eternal life is the highest quality of life, characterized by infinite duration and abiding fellowship with God. In the New Testament, eternal life transcends the barrier of death. While death remains an adversary, those who possess eternal life already experience an existence that will never cease. The emphasis here is on the richness and depth of life rather than solely its endless duration. While aspects of both quality and duration may be present in every context, some passages emphasize the quality of life, while others highlight the promise of unending life, either experienced now or to be fully realized in the future."
Therefore, the essential aspects of eternal life that Christians currently experience in Christ are:
1. "Abiding fellowship with God" - Maintaining a continual connection and relationship with God.
2. "The emphasis is on the quality of life rather than the unending duration of life" - Placing greater importance on the richness and depth of life rather than simply its eternal duration.
3. "Death is still a foe" - Death remains an adversary, and the physical body continues to experience mortality.
Therefore, even though Christians possess eternal life, they still undergo physical death. This is not yet "immortal life," which will only be attained after the future resurrection. This distinction sets apart the eternal life currently experienced by the children of God. Jesus Himself clarified this truth with His words:
John 6:40 (NIV) For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
According to Christ's words, believers will first experience eternal life before the resurrection on the last day:
1. "Whoever believes in him shall have eternal life."
The subsequent event is:
2. "And I will raise them up at the last day."
Since eternal life precedes the resurrection of the dead, it logically follows that believers in Christ currently experience eternal life. This contrasts with the teachings of Seventh-day Adventists, where the resurrection of the dead is taught to precede the experience of eternal life.
Here is the explanation from The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary:
"In terms of quality, life is:
1. Life imparted by God;
2. Transformation and renewal of life;
3. Life fully opened to God and centered in Him;
4. Constant overcoming of sin and moral evil;
5. Complete removal of moral evil from the person and their environment."
These five descriptions characterize the quality of life experienced by Christian believers, modeled after the life of Christ. In essence, this is the "eternal life" that Christians already possess today due to their faith and union with Christ. It is not merely a promise to be fulfilled in the future, as taught by Seventh-day Adventists.
Christ identified His true followers as those who continually hear and obey His voice (John 10:27). He assures them of eternal life and safeguards them from harm (John 10:28). These saved individuals persist in hearing, heeding, and following Jesus. For them, eternal life is both a present reality and a future promise.
What does 1 John 2:25 mean according to SDAs?
The Seventh-day Adventist Church also teaches the concept of the "Three tenses of salvation," which are Justification (past tense), Sanctification (present tense), and Glorification (future tense). This is outlined on page 119 of their SDA 27 Fundamental Beliefs book in the online edition.
"Throughout Scripture, the descriptions of the believer's experience—salvation, justification, sanctification, purification, and redemption—are spoken of as (1) already accomplished, (2) presently being realized, and (3) to be realized in the future. An understanding of these three perspectives helps to solve the seeming tensions in emphasis relative to justification and sanctification. This chapter, therefore, is divided into three major sections, dealing with salvation in the believer's past, present, and future."
Many members of the Seventh-day Adventist church may not be familiar with this concept. It's possible that even those who debate and defend Sabadistas on social media are unaware of the three tenses of salvation, which could lead them to believe that eternal life will only be experienced in the future. I can attest to this from personal experience, as when I used to visit SDA churches, elders and pastors were often unfamiliar with this theological framework when I inquired about it.
According to the official statement of beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventists, salvation unfolds in three stages:
1. Salvation in the past
2. Salvation in the present
3. Salvation in the future
Therefore, the layman SDA defenders on social media have misunderstood our findings entirely. They focus solely on the third stage, which is salvation in the future and is contingent upon the return of Christ. Their primary biblical reference to support this belief is found in 1 John 2:25.
1 John 2:25 (NIV) And this is what he promised us—eternal life.
The issue with the conclusions drawn by these layman SDA defenders lies in their personal approach to Bible interpretation, which often relies on unsupported assumptions rather than the contextual insights of Apostle John's writings. Lacking formal theological and hermeneutical training, they tend to fabricate explanations that may seem plausible but lack solid biblical foundation. Here are the false assumptions these layman SDA defenders make:
1. They assume that the sole basis for understanding the Bible's teaching on eternal life is found in 1 John 2:25, which suggests it will only be received at the second coming of Christ, disregarding other clear biblical statements that affirm eternal life as a present possession of believers in Christ (John 5:24-25; 6:47; 1 John 5:11-13).
2. They position themselves as the ultimate authority over professional theologians and scholars in interpreting eternal life, whether as a future promise or a current possession. As previously highlighted, the conclusions of these SDA laymen contradict the official stance of their organization. This discrepancy is problematic for those who admire these layman defenders, who, as I have demonstrated on several occasions, not only provide ad hoc explanations but also resort to excuses, particularly when pressed for clarity.
3. They presume to already understand the official doctrine of the SDA church on salvation. From personal interactions with SDA layman defenders actively engaged in debates, many have expressed challenges with reading English publications by SDA theologians. Consequently, their views often diverge from the teachings found in official and scholarly SDA literature. Therefore, if they appear confident and adept in presenting their doctrine, it is understandable why the teachings of these layman defenders frequently deviate from the established position of their church.
Does our conclusion that true Christians already experience eternal life contradict 1 John 2:25? No, it does not contradict but rather aligns with it. As previously mentioned, the Seventh-day Adventist church, in their Fundamental Beliefs book, also acknowledges the concept of the three tenses of salvation. Thus, the "promise that He has promised us, eternal life" mentioned in 1 John 2:25 specifically refers to the future aspect of our salvation, which we anticipate upon Christ's return. This theological concept, known as "glorification" or "salvation from the presence of sin," anticipates the transformation of our bodies, currently marked by sin, into glorious bodies.
Hebrews 9:28 (NIV) So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
This matter was further emphasized in 1 Corinthians 15:51-54:
1 Corinthians 15:51-54 (NIV) Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed — in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.
Let's summarize the three tenses of salvation:
1. Past tense of salvation - Justification = salvation from the penalty of sin.
2. Present tense of salvation - Sanctification = salvation from the power of sin.
3. Future tense of salvation - Glorification = salvation from the presence of sin.
Even in the "justification" stage, a believer receives free salvation or eternal life. Christians experience this eternal life because it is the life of Christ, and through the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in sanctification, they are empowered to overcome sin by faith. When Christ returns, He will exchange our current flawed and sin-tainted bodies for glorious bodies. This event, known as glorification, fulfills the "promise that he has promised us, eternal life" as mentioned in 1 John 2:25. It is what we eagerly anticipate at His second coming!
Hebrews 9:28 (NIV)So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
The encouraging news is that as we await the future glorification of our bodies, we already have the assurance of our present security through our union with Christ, who resides in the life of every believer. Therefore, even now, we can be confident that we are already secure and have "passed from death to life" (John 5:24), thanks to Christ who has bestowed eternal life upon us.
1 John 5:11-13 (NIV) And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
As the founding Chairman of the Former Adventist Fellowship Philippines, Pastor Obidos is dedicated to leading weekly Bible Study groups such as FAFP Life Lessons Discipleship Bible Study and FAFP Bible Doctrines Bible Study programs. His insightful teachings are readily available through the official FAFP website www.formeradventistph.blogspot.com, and if you're looking for more, you can join him live on his Back to the Scriptures Today YouTube podcast every Sunday.
Footnote:
[1] Nichol, F. D., ed. (1980). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol. 5, p. 952). Review and Herald Publishing Association.
[2] http://www.sdanet.org/atissue/books/27/27-10.htm
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