We think of eternal life as living forever, and we are partially correct. Jesus said to Martha, "he who believes in me though he were dead, they shall he live, and he who believes in me shall never die" (John 11:25-26). He told the Pharisees "If anyone keeps my word, e shall never die" (John 8:51). But there is much more to eternal life than living forever. Those who go to hell live forever.
Jesus reveals in his prayer to the Father, the essence of eternal life. "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."
This is what makes living forever a joy, intimately knowing God and understanding that he intimately knows us (John 17:3; Colossians 2:2-3).
