Exactly what does "should not perish" mean? The term "perish" is used in the Scripture as follows:

And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. (Matthew 5:29)

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:3)

Since the spiritual area of man's personality never is destroyed the expression "should not perish" undoubtedly is referring to the body. The Lord Jesus is saying that whoever believes in Him will be raised from the dead into life lived in the Presence and blessing of the Father.

This interpretation would be confirmed by Matthew 5:29 and Luke 13:3 (above) where the term "perish" is clearly referring to physical destruction. The interpretation of John 3:16 as referring to the resurrection of the body into Divine Life is confirmed also by the Lord's statements concerning eating His body and drinking His blood.

Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:54)

Thus the term "eternal life" includes, and may be specifically pointed toward, the bodily resurrection from the dead.

But is now made manifest by the appearing of our saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: (II Timothy 1:10)

"Abolished death" and "hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" are definitely speaking of the body living forever. If we would understand the statements of the New Testament concerning eternal life we must realize that the expression in its fullest sense refers to the resurrection of the body to a certain kind of life—not just to perpetual existence but to a specific kind of perpetual existence.

What does "have everlasting life" mean? Is it the same thing as going to Heaven?—as being washed in the blood of the Lamb?—as being born again?

We know that eternal life is the Substance of Christ in us. As we eat His flesh and drink His blood we have eternal life in us. If we cultivate that eternal life, learning to live by it, the Lord Jesus will raise us when He appears and we will be eternally alive with Divine Life in body, soul, and spirit.

Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. (John 6:53-57)

There is the biologic life of flesh and blood and then there is eternal life. If we would attain resurrection unto life in the Presence of God and Christ we must develop and nourish the portion of eternal life given us when we received Christ.

To be continued.