When Jesus started talking about eternal life, where did he get his ideas?

Question

I'm asking this question, because I find in all the Bible preceeding Jesus very little about the here-after.

Jesus says a lot about eternal life, but where did he get his ideas?

The Bible god didn't say much if anything about heaven as a place of reward for good people. And where did the Bible god even say there is life after death?

So I'm wondering where Jesus got his ideas. Replies from Bible scholars and others appreciated.

Answer 1

the bible has been rewritten 39 times by man. good question?????????????? we all want to know

Answer 2

The Bible is more the history of man in his efforts to live according to the will of God. Jesus came from a place that is as far above me as I am above the lowest bacteria. The way I understand His teachings is much in the same way I teach bacteria to do what it does best, whether it be a medicine or an intestinal counterbalance or an oil eating bacteria or whatever I want it to be so too His teachings have reached me much in the same way. The Bible is the story about Him reaching into my petri dish and suggesting to me by some cosmic manipulative force that it will go better for me if I let Him be my guide in life. So too, we teach bacteria to do our will and if it does it doesn't land in the garbage.
This here after stuff is all over the Bible. How can you miss it? And this thing about going to heaven if your good... still a bit immature dont you think? To misunderstand that what was being transmitted was about what has value enough to get through to the other side which was mentioned and is the main topic of the Bible, your eternal salvation... read it again and maybe this time you will see it.

Answer 3

It is a little tricky since the word eternal seems rather absent.

1. However, the concept is not! Quote: "Listen, and YOUR soul will keep alive "

2. Job is shown to want to die - go to Sheol - to await his redeemer, Christ, in the last days.

3. The law covenant is shown to be a Tutor leading to Christ because the Israelites realized it has become their curse -- nobody could earn by works of Law eternal life.

4. Thus we see that Ezekiel 18:4 says that the soul that sins shall die. The logic is clear, the soul that doesn't sin shall not die.

In this way - without making a book out of it - it is evident that eternal life was what was taught and that Jesus actually got most of his teachings directly from the OT.

Answer 4

Dude, its obvious Jesus spent a lot of time with the Father, its all in the book. Try to establish some quiet time each day with the Father. Start small, 20Min's and continue to increase to1 hr-3 or 4 whenever U can. The Holy Spirit will begin to teach and guide U and U will become more sensitive to His voice and the spirit realm. Jesus knew the old testament well because He quoted a lot from it. His parables are the same as the dark-sayings (hidden/ coded) in the old testament. The words are layered with many meanings and they are broken open/ revealed just like the time when Jesus (after the tomb)fellowships with 2 of the disciples who did not recognise Him. After breaking bread they suddenly realised who He is. Remember ?!!....Jesus is also the Word, who wants to reveal more of Himself to the seeker....The old testa ment is full of metaphors regarding spiritual insight and sustanance leading one deeper into Christ and Eternal Life.

Answer 5

there is the concept of length of life from the book of Genesis. God did not want Adam and Eve to eat from the tree of good and evil because on the day that they did, they would die.

in the garden of Eden was the tree that provided life. since they already were alive, then i venture to say that it referred to long life. and could well supplement the eternal life that God planned for them to enjoy.

since God is eternal and made man in his image... then God built into mankind eternal life

so the topic is dealt with from Genesis.

anywhere in scripture that the Bible talks about life other than physical - its talking about eternal life benefits

"give me understanding that i may live" - i have looked at such scriptures like that is pointing to obtaining a nugget of God's nature of eternal life as a present benefit and future destination

Enoch was taken up to heaven, Abraham knew of the concept... and God promised it to his descendants

Jesus picked up on it by reading the first books Moses wrote as well as the books of the prophets
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Answer 6

Before being sent to live as a human on earth, Jesus was an angel in Heaven with the name Michael. He is a reflection of his father spiritually therefor he was already aware of what God's intentions were.

Answer 7

I am not a bible scholor but a christian. Jesus told the thief on the cross from today you shall be with me in paradise. Jesus said those who believe in me even though they die yet shall he live. Apostile Paul had an out of body experience when they stoned him to death and he saw Heaven and when he returned he said absent from the body is present with the Lord. Remember Paul was caught up about being here on earth to preach and to depart to be with the Lord and said that would be so much better. To live is Christ and to die is gain. When a christian dies they leave their bodies and thier sprits go to be with the Lord. But the wicked to eternal punishment.

Answer 8

When God created Adam & Eve, they had the prospects of having "eternal life" - BUT they failed and thus suffered the consequences with "death". So eternal life was God's idea.

When Jesus Christ was sent to Earth, his "sacrifice" gave way for sinners to be forgiven and thus have again the prospects for "everlasting life" - but again only if they obey God's will and requirements.

As the "Lord's Prayer" mentions, God's Kingdom will be here on Earth, just as he oringinally intended for Adam & Eve to live. http://www.living-forever.info

Answer 9

You are right! There is nothing in the "Old" Testament about the afterlife. If you want to know about the afterlife, you can find anything you want to know in the Egyptian "Book of the Dead." They were the experts. Jews spent 400 years of slavery in Egypt helping the pharoahs prepare for the afterlife.

The Christian concept of the afterlife comes from Zoroastrianism in Persia, NOT from Judaism. It's the Christian god of love and mercy that condemns non-believers to eternal torment, not the vicious god of the "Old" Testament.
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Answer 10

Jesus is God.

Jesus is the Creator.

Jesus created the idea of eternal life long before He was born to Mary.

Remember that Jesus is God and existed as God, Creating the Heavens and the Earth long before He was born to Mary as a human.

If you doubt what I'm saying read the Gospel of John, chapter one. Which tells you that Jesus is God and that Jesus is the Creator. The word, "Word" refers to Jesus. That word, "Word" appears at least 4 times in verses 1 to 14.

Pastor Art

Answer 11

Jesus and God are one and the same. God has had this plan since the beginning of time. He knew what would happen. He came to Earth to spread that message and to fulfill the scripture.