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Eternal Perspectives: A Collection of Quotations on Heaven, the New Earth, and Life After Death
From the back cover:
Brimming with more than 1,500 verses, quotes, and selected reflections on heaven, the New Earth, and life after death, Eternal Perspectives is the most comprehensive collection of quotations about Heaven ever compiled.
Filled with stirring passages and insights from such noted authors, scholars and theologians as Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, D.L. Moody, C.S. Lewis . . . and many others, Eternal Perspectives is the ultimate resource for anyone looking for inspirational quotes and passages on the topic of Heaven.
Brimming with more than 1,500 verses, quotes, and selected reflections on heaven, the New Earth, and life after death, Eternal Perspectives is the most comprehensive collection of quotations about Heaven ever compiled.
Filled with stirring passages and insights from such noted authors, scholars and theologians as Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, D.L. Moody, C.S. Lewis . . . and many others, Eternal Perspectives is the ultimate resource for anyone looking for inspirational quotes and passages on the topic of Heaven.
- GenresChristianityReference
688 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
About the author
Randy Alcorn
227 books1,630 followersRandy Alcorn is the founder of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM), a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching biblical truth and drawing attention to the needy and how to help them. EPM exists to meet the needs of the unreached, unfed, unborn, uneducated, unreconciled and unsupported people around the world.
"My ministry focus is communicating the strategic importance of using our earthly time, money, possessions and opportunities to invest in need-meeting ministries that count for eternity," Alcorn says. "I do that by trying to analyze, teach and apply the implications of Christian truth."
Before starting EPM in 1990, Alcorn co-pastored for thirteen years Good Shepherd Community Church outside Gresham, Oregon. He has ministered in many countries, including China, and is a popular teacher and conference speaker. Randy has taught on the part-time faculties of Western Seminary and Multnomah University, both in Portland, Oregon.
Randy is a best-selling author of 50 books including Heaven, The Treasure Principle and the 2002 Gold Medallion winner, Safely Home. He has written numerous articles for magazines such as Discipleship Journal, Moody, Leadership, New Man, and The Christian Reader. He produces the quarterly issues-oriented magazine Eternal Perspectives, and has been a guest on more than 650 radio and television programs including Focus on the Family, Family Life Today, The Bible Answer Man, Revive Our Hearts, Truths that Transform and Faith Under Fire.
Alcorn resides in Gresham, Oregon with his wife, Nanci. The Alcorns have two married daughters, Karina and Angela.
Randy and Nanci are the proud grandparents of five grandsons. Randy enjoys hanging out with his family, biking, tennis, research and reading.
Taken from the Eternal Perspective Ministries website, http://www.epm.org
"My ministry focus is communicating the strategic importance of using our earthly time, money, possessions and opportunities to invest in need-meeting ministries that count for eternity," Alcorn says. "I do that by trying to analyze, teach and apply the implications of Christian truth."
Before starting EPM in 1990, Alcorn co-pastored for thirteen years Good Shepherd Community Church outside Gresham, Oregon. He has ministered in many countries, including China, and is a popular teacher and conference speaker. Randy has taught on the part-time faculties of Western Seminary and Multnomah University, both in Portland, Oregon.
Randy is a best-selling author of 50 books including Heaven, The Treasure Principle and the 2002 Gold Medallion winner, Safely Home. He has written numerous articles for magazines such as Discipleship Journal, Moody, Leadership, New Man, and The Christian Reader. He produces the quarterly issues-oriented magazine Eternal Perspectives, and has been a guest on more than 650 radio and television programs including Focus on the Family, Family Life Today, The Bible Answer Man, Revive Our Hearts, Truths that Transform and Faith Under Fire.
Alcorn resides in Gresham, Oregon with his wife, Nanci. The Alcorns have two married daughters, Karina and Angela.
Randy and Nanci are the proud grandparents of five grandsons. Randy enjoys hanging out with his family, biking, tennis, research and reading.
Taken from the Eternal Perspective Ministries website, http://www.epm.org
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 21, 2025
A friend recently asked me what I think of 2 Thess. 1:9, and it reminded me of this book, which arrived in my mail a few years ago from an Amish poet concerned about my belief in the final restoration of all things. She had highlighted any number of quotes. (I was distressed to find a quote from George MacDonald in the section of "proofs" about endless hell.)
Because of that gift, this space seems as good a place as any to share what I told the friend who asked about the verse from 2 Thess:
2 Thessalonians 1:9 is a classic; I included it on my page of Key Texts that I share with my story:
Key KJV text for eternal conscious torment:
“when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;” (2 Thess. 1:9).
Contemporary non-KJV translation by Christians who allow for final restoration: “…at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven, along with the angels under his power, in a flaming fire, exacting justice upon those who do not know God and do not heed the good tidings of our Lord Jesus—who will pay the just reparation of ruin in the Age, coming from the face of the Lord and the glory of His might.” (DBH)
Contemporary non-KJV translations by Christians who believe in eternal conscious torment: “They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power” (NLT) ; “They will be punished in everlasting hell, forever separated from the Lord, never to see the glory of his power” (TLB).
Young’s Literal Translation: “rest with us in the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven, with messengers of his power, in flaming fire, giving vengeance to those not knowing God, and to those not obeying the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall suffer justice--destruction age-during--from the face of the Lord, and from the glory of his strength,”
And if you want further commentary, you’ve found the woman always eager to give it: Strong’s, as indicated by David Bentley Hart’s translation, reveals that the word “presence” means “face”. The destruction comes, somehow, from his face—he carries a sword in his mouth? The image in Revelation? So the destruction is not carried out “outside of the presence of the Lord”, rather it is sourced in Him. At some point, I realized that it’s the same phrase used in this verse:
Ac 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
If we used parallel wording to expand these parallel phrases, we would write, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come forever separated from the Lord” or …”when the times of refreshing shall come, barred forever from the presence of the Lord.”
A little ridiculous, right? (But there I am “saying ‘duh’ at the end of every sentence,” like my husband once described some universalists, in the context of how Curt Parton does not do it.) (How gratified I was to later find this exact comparison—2 Thess. 1:9 with Acts 3:19—used by Thomas Talbott in his classic text.)
What contemporary translations do with 2 Thess. 1:9, stretching it, adding in additional details—I find these quite convincing, actually, and reassuring. They indicate to me on how spindly a frame their conclusions are hung. That scholars must take this one verse and engorge it with their beliefs, is proof that they’re a little desperate to find much Scriptural evidence otherwise for the idea. In Randy Alcorn’s book, for instance, where he lists scriptures and quotes about the after-life, and in support of endless hell, he uses 2 Thess. 1:9 TWICE in the same section, using two different contemporary translations. In no other section—I checked—does he use a scripture more than once.
Because of that gift, this space seems as good a place as any to share what I told the friend who asked about the verse from 2 Thess:
2 Thessalonians 1:9 is a classic; I included it on my page of Key Texts that I share with my story:
Key KJV text for eternal conscious torment:
“when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;” (2 Thess. 1:9).
Contemporary non-KJV translation by Christians who allow for final restoration: “…at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven, along with the angels under his power, in a flaming fire, exacting justice upon those who do not know God and do not heed the good tidings of our Lord Jesus—who will pay the just reparation of ruin in the Age, coming from the face of the Lord and the glory of His might.” (DBH)
Contemporary non-KJV translations by Christians who believe in eternal conscious torment: “They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power” (NLT) ; “They will be punished in everlasting hell, forever separated from the Lord, never to see the glory of his power” (TLB).
Young’s Literal Translation: “rest with us in the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven, with messengers of his power, in flaming fire, giving vengeance to those not knowing God, and to those not obeying the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall suffer justice--destruction age-during--from the face of the Lord, and from the glory of his strength,”
And if you want further commentary, you’ve found the woman always eager to give it: Strong’s, as indicated by David Bentley Hart’s translation, reveals that the word “presence” means “face”. The destruction comes, somehow, from his face—he carries a sword in his mouth? The image in Revelation? So the destruction is not carried out “outside of the presence of the Lord”, rather it is sourced in Him. At some point, I realized that it’s the same phrase used in this verse:
Ac 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
If we used parallel wording to expand these parallel phrases, we would write, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come forever separated from the Lord” or …”when the times of refreshing shall come, barred forever from the presence of the Lord.”
A little ridiculous, right? (But there I am “saying ‘duh’ at the end of every sentence,” like my husband once described some universalists, in the context of how Curt Parton does not do it.) (How gratified I was to later find this exact comparison—2 Thess. 1:9 with Acts 3:19—used by Thomas Talbott in his classic text.)
What contemporary translations do with 2 Thess. 1:9, stretching it, adding in additional details—I find these quite convincing, actually, and reassuring. They indicate to me on how spindly a frame their conclusions are hung. That scholars must take this one verse and engorge it with their beliefs, is proof that they’re a little desperate to find much Scriptural evidence otherwise for the idea. In Randy Alcorn’s book, for instance, where he lists scriptures and quotes about the after-life, and in support of endless hell, he uses 2 Thess. 1:9 TWICE in the same section, using two different contemporary translations. In no other section—I checked—does he use a scripture more than once.
August 2, 2012
***Amazing and biblical answers to questions about Heaven***
New York Times bestselling author, Randy Alcorn adds another unique book to his extensive collection of written works about heaven with this “…collection of quotations on Heaven, the new earth, and life after death.”
Alcorn reaches into the past up to modern day to provide more than 1500 inspirational quotes from noted theologians such as Charles Spurgeon, C.S. Lewis and D.L. Moody making this the most comprehensive collection of quotations on Heaven ever compiled. The collection reminds me of AA’s (Alcoholics Anonymous) Big Book which is the “go-to” reference for recovering alcoholics. In a similar way “Eternal Perspectives” is the “go-to” reference for anyone interested in the subject of Heaven as well as all of this author’s books on Heaven (see slide show).
The author’s basis for the book is “If God didn’t want us to imagine what Heaven will be like, he wouldn’t have told us as much about Heaven as he has” writes Alcorn in the introduction. With that in mind he also says we need “biblically inspired imaginations.”
Yet, the topic of Heaven remains controversial…Full Review: http://tinyurl.com/cw36sxw
New York Times bestselling author, Randy Alcorn adds another unique book to his extensive collection of written works about heaven with this “…collection of quotations on Heaven, the new earth, and life after death.”
Alcorn reaches into the past up to modern day to provide more than 1500 inspirational quotes from noted theologians such as Charles Spurgeon, C.S. Lewis and D.L. Moody making this the most comprehensive collection of quotations on Heaven ever compiled. The collection reminds me of AA’s (Alcoholics Anonymous) Big Book which is the “go-to” reference for recovering alcoholics. In a similar way “Eternal Perspectives” is the “go-to” reference for anyone interested in the subject of Heaven as well as all of this author’s books on Heaven (see slide show).
The author’s basis for the book is “If God didn’t want us to imagine what Heaven will be like, he wouldn’t have told us as much about Heaven as he has” writes Alcorn in the introduction. With that in mind he also says we need “biblically inspired imaginations.”
Yet, the topic of Heaven remains controversial…Full Review: http://tinyurl.com/cw36sxw
January 1, 2023
So I stumbled on a qoute in here that seemed like an odd choice to have added. The qoute is...
"Anybody other than Jesus Christ who gives you an opinion about death, heaven, and Hell is giving you an uninformed opinion. So don't let anybody who hasn't been there tell you about eternity, because you can't afford to get this one wrong."
Tony Evans
So if we accept this then this a rather thick book of uninformed opinions about death and the afterlife. Of course religion is nothing more than the selling of an opinion of the person selling. It is obvious of course with the qoutes that contradict other qoutes due to their differences in opinion. This book is one where you pick and choose the qoutes you agree with and ignore the ones that you don't.
I'll admit I didn't read it cover to cover I just browsed through it. For the religious this could work for funerals, sermons, or those just curious about death and the afterlife.
"Anybody other than Jesus Christ who gives you an opinion about death, heaven, and Hell is giving you an uninformed opinion. So don't let anybody who hasn't been there tell you about eternity, because you can't afford to get this one wrong."
Tony Evans
So if we accept this then this a rather thick book of uninformed opinions about death and the afterlife. Of course religion is nothing more than the selling of an opinion of the person selling. It is obvious of course with the qoutes that contradict other qoutes due to their differences in opinion. This book is one where you pick and choose the qoutes you agree with and ignore the ones that you don't.
I'll admit I didn't read it cover to cover I just browsed through it. For the religious this could work for funerals, sermons, or those just curious about death and the afterlife.
December 8, 2025
The overview of Eternal Perspectives truly stands out. A collection of more than 1,500 verses, reflections, and quotes about Heaven and the New Earth is already powerful, but gathering wisdom from incredible voices like Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Edwards, Wesley, Spurgeon, Moody, and C.S. Lewis takes it to another level.
This feels like so much more than a reference book. It promises encouragement for anyone who’s ever wondered about life after death, needed hope during difficult times, or simply wanted a deeper understanding of eternity. The description gives the sense that this book will offer peace, clarity, and inspiration in ways that readers will come back to again and again.
This feels like so much more than a reference book. It promises encouragement for anyone who’s ever wondered about life after death, needed hope during difficult times, or simply wanted a deeper understanding of eternity. The description gives the sense that this book will offer peace, clarity, and inspiration in ways that readers will come back to again and again.
November 10, 2018
Excellent collection of scripture and quotations well-known authors like Randy Alcorn, A.W Tozer, Charles Spurgeon and CS Lewis and many more. Chapters were separated based on topics and they were very thought provoking. Sadly I’ve never thought much about what Heaven will be like, but this book has helped changed my perspective so I am able to look forward to it. I’m also trying to change my mindset to the pilgrim mentality so I can live with contentment and eternity in mind.
March 25, 2025
This was probably the best discovery at a rummage sale I will ever find. I treasure this book. It took me two years to process through it but it is amazing. Thank you, Randy Alcorn.
December 19, 2018
A few days ago I received this book in the mail and my first thought was wow, it is huge!! Well, it is over 600 pages. Eternal Perspectives ~ A Collection of Quotations on Heaven, The New Earth, and Life After Death is a book full of quotations and Scriptures about descriptions of Heaven by well-known theologians, poets, and scholars, put together by Randy Alcorn. Randy Alcorn has written a couple books about heaven, which have been recommended by some trustworthy people. Heaven, after all, is a little hard to write on, since we don't arrive there till we leave this earth. However, God has provided revelations in the Bible. I have read a couple books about heaven from other authors that to me didn't really line up with what God's Word says, so they always left me confused. That is not the case with this book, Eternal Perspectives.
Now good thing, you don't have to sit down and read this large book front to back, but you could. What I did was pick out a few sections in the book and read those sections. I have been reading a few pages a day, which is all you need, as some of these sections are thought-provoking. My close friends know I enjoy reading books especially by authors who are from the past, even some from hundreds of years ago. I also enjoy writing quotes from my favorite theologians and authors in my notebooks. So this book is becoming one of my favorites and all Christians would enjoy it!
You will find this book insightful and encouraging. Randy has provided material from his books on heaven and studies, along with quotes from and material from Augustine, Calvin, C.S. Lewis, Charles Spurgeon, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Jonathan Edwards, J.C. Ryle, Max Lucado, A.W. Tozer, Steven Lawson, John Piper, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Martin Luther, J.I. Packer, and many others, along with tons of Scripture from the only authoritative book.
It is Randy Alcorn's hope that this book will be used to touch and comfort hearts of those who are wondering about eternal life, we will grow in the knowledge of God's Word, to set our minds above on Christ, or share with our friends. He encourages readers to hold what he says to God's Word, to test it, as the Bereans did (Acts 17:11) and the Apostle Paul said (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
Here are a couple quotes from the book:
Make no mistake about it. Heaven is a real place. It is not a state of mind. Not a figment of man's imagination. Not a philosophical concept. Not a religious abstraction. Not a sentimental dream. Not the medieval fancy of an ancient scientist. Not the worn-out superstition of a liberal theologian. It's an actual place. A location far more real than where you presently live... It is a real place where God lives. It is the real place from which Christ came into this world. And it is the real place to which Christ returned at His ascension - really! ~ Steven Lawson
Why do we not know the country whose citizens we are? Because we have wandered so far away that we have forgotten it. But the Lord Christ, the king of the land, came down to us, and drove forgetfulness from our heart. God took to Himself our flesh so that He might be our way back. ~ Augustine
No one can live without delight, and that is why a man deprived of spiritual joy goes over to carnal pleasure. ~ Thomas Aquinas
The best is yet to be. ~ John Wesley
Now good thing, you don't have to sit down and read this large book front to back, but you could. What I did was pick out a few sections in the book and read those sections. I have been reading a few pages a day, which is all you need, as some of these sections are thought-provoking. My close friends know I enjoy reading books especially by authors who are from the past, even some from hundreds of years ago. I also enjoy writing quotes from my favorite theologians and authors in my notebooks. So this book is becoming one of my favorites and all Christians would enjoy it!
You will find this book insightful and encouraging. Randy has provided material from his books on heaven and studies, along with quotes from and material from Augustine, Calvin, C.S. Lewis, Charles Spurgeon, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Jonathan Edwards, J.C. Ryle, Max Lucado, A.W. Tozer, Steven Lawson, John Piper, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Martin Luther, J.I. Packer, and many others, along with tons of Scripture from the only authoritative book.
It is Randy Alcorn's hope that this book will be used to touch and comfort hearts of those who are wondering about eternal life, we will grow in the knowledge of God's Word, to set our minds above on Christ, or share with our friends. He encourages readers to hold what he says to God's Word, to test it, as the Bereans did (Acts 17:11) and the Apostle Paul said (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
Here are a couple quotes from the book:
Make no mistake about it. Heaven is a real place. It is not a state of mind. Not a figment of man's imagination. Not a philosophical concept. Not a religious abstraction. Not a sentimental dream. Not the medieval fancy of an ancient scientist. Not the worn-out superstition of a liberal theologian. It's an actual place. A location far more real than where you presently live... It is a real place where God lives. It is the real place from which Christ came into this world. And it is the real place to which Christ returned at His ascension - really! ~ Steven Lawson
Why do we not know the country whose citizens we are? Because we have wandered so far away that we have forgotten it. But the Lord Christ, the king of the land, came down to us, and drove forgetfulness from our heart. God took to Himself our flesh so that He might be our way back. ~ Augustine
No one can live without delight, and that is why a man deprived of spiritual joy goes over to carnal pleasure. ~ Thomas Aquinas
The best is yet to be. ~ John Wesley
February 3, 2017
I've been reading this long book of quotations since October 2016 (finished today), and no other book has taught me and inspired me about heaven, the New Earth, and life after death like this one. Taking quotes from a wide range of respected Christian authors and verses from God's infallible Word, Randy Alcorn has expertly organized this book. I sincerely recommend this to every one who wants to learn about things invisible and eternal.
January 19, 2014
This book is inspiring, and helps me to focus on my true home...Heaven! I'm blessed by the variety of authors whose quotes are found in its pages. So many ways of viewing Heaven. I'm anticipating it much more since reading, "Eternal Perspectives"...
December 14, 2012
Love it.
December 17, 2015
This was a grate read.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews