Everlasting Life
How God Answers Our Questions about Grief, Loss, and the Promise of Heaven
About
You were created to live forever
Death. Everyone fears it. No one can escape it. But, thankfully, God has a plan--an indescribable, eternal life waiting for you.
Hopeful, biblical, and filled with encouragement, Everlasting Life shines a light on death and the afterlife that will bring comfort and peace to those who are facing it or to those who want to be ready for it when it does come. David Swanson shares the simple truth that you are immortal--you will never spiritually die--and shows you how seeing life through your immortality can radically change the way you live.
"Knowing the one person who conquered death is the source of the only true hope in bringing consolation to the grieving heart. Since it is inevitable that we will all deal with loss in this life, having the skills to rest secure in the hope we have in Christ is a precious gift David helps you unpack."--Vonette Bright, cofounder, Campus Crusade for Christ International/Cru
"Swanson has not only faithfully addressed the core fear we all share--the fear of death--he has thrown open the curtains on the great hope that is ours through the work of Jesus."--Scotty Smith, pastor and author of Everyday Prayers
"Everlasting Life tackles the challenging subjects of facing death, the spiritual process of dying, and what the glorious but mysterious afterlife of heaven might be like from a biblical perspective."--Bob DeVries and Susan Zonnebelt-Smeenge, authors of Getting to the Other Side of Grief
"Swanson offers comfort to the grieving, gives insight to the comforter, and shares the gospel with those who do not yet believe in Christ. He helps the reader face the fact of his or her own death and addresses why death is in the world."--David Wiersbe, author of Gone but Not Lost
David D. Swanson is senior pastor of the 4,000-member First Presbyterian Church of Orlando. He speaks at retreats, conferences, and churches throughout the United States and hosts a national media teaching ministry called The Well. He has been married to his wife, Leigh, for over 20 years, and they have three college-aged children. He lives in Florida.
Endorsements
"In this book my pastor and friend captures a truth that is a reality in my life. Knowing the one person who conquered death is the source of the only true hope in bringing consolation to the grieving heart. Since it is inevitable that we will all deal with loss in this life, having the skills to rest secure in the hope we have in Christ is a precious gift David helps you unpack."
Vonette Bright, co-founder, Campus Crusade for Christ International/Cru
"In Everlasting Life, David Swanson has not only faithfully addressed the core fear we all share--the fear of death--he has thrown open the curtains on the great hope that is ours through the work of Jesus. Indeed, the gospel doesn't just prepare us to die; it equips us to live. With personal anecdotes, great theology, and an engaged heart, David helps us see that the abundant and everlasting life Jesus offers us is so much better than we could have ever hoped or imagined. This book will encourage the hearts of many, believers and nonbelievers alike."
Scotty Smith, pastor and author of Everyday Prayers
"Everlasting Life tackles the challenging subjects of facing death, the spiritual process of dying, and what the glorious but mysterious afterlife of heaven might be like from a biblical perspective. Scripture is used well and explained with understandable examples that will undoubtedly stick with the reader to create a lasting and comforting impact. This book will educate and enlarge the reader's perspective on Christianly facing the end of one's life or comforting someone else at that juncture so as to assist in alleviating anxieties and concerns about the transition from this life to the next. The reader is helped to develop a happy and eager anticipation of what is in store for all of us if we accept Christ in our hearts."
Bob DeVries and Susan Zonnebelt-Smeenge, authors of Getting to the Other Side of Grief
"Everlasting Life presents strong biblical truth expressed with wisdom and gentleness. Pastor David Swanson offers comfort to the grieving, gives insight to the comforter, and shares the gospel with those who do not yet believe in Christ. He helps the reader face the fact of his or her own death and addresses why death is in the world. Through a series of questions he confronts our fears of death. I value his emphasis on the significance of the body and his granting those who mourn permission to grieve. His personal illustrations are compelling, showing that his words are rooted in experience. Everlasting Life is more than a primer on grief: it is a theology of death, of life, and of the life to come. It is balm for a broken heart and fuel for good pastoral care."
David Wiersbe, author of Gone but Not Lost
"This is a book that every Christian needs to read as part of their discipleship. We all need this primer on dying, death, grief, and our eternal hope. I would urge pastors, deacons, spouses, parents, and adult children, plus all good friends, to read this for those days when we have the privilege of walking with someone through the valley of the shadow of death. And all of us will--for this is a subject we all need to know."
Jim Singleton, associate professor of pastoral leadership and evangelism, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
"I have had the privilege of knowing David for seven years. Everyone who knows him knows that he has a heart for God, and that love is transferred into everyone he meets. With this book David uses his God-given talent and personal experiences to reach a multitude of people. He clearly provides them knowledge, peace, and hope, using the truth of God's Word, as they experience the transformation from everyday life to eternal life in heaven. The details he supplies of the dos and don'ts of what to say and what to do for the dying, at funerals, and for those left behind are immeasurably important aspects that we should practice. I highly recommend this book, which will encourage you and help you as you interact with the real-life issues that we face."
Dr. David Uth, senior pastor, First Baptist Orlando
"Death is the great equalizer. No one escapes. But there is life beyond death, as David Swanson explains. Refreshingly personal and practical, this is a book you will want to read and then share with those who are facing loss, grieving, and searching for hope."
Luder Whitlock, president emeritus, Reformed Theological Seminary
"I conducted seven funerals in the eighteen days before I read Everlasting Life by David Swanson. These memorial services were for people I had known and loved, some for as long as thirty-five years. When I sat down with this book in my lap, I was weary. After forty-seven years in pastoral ministry, I know the physical, emotional, and spiritual fatigue that accompanies grief.
"As I read Everlasting Life, I found comfort and refreshment. The book is biblically based and theologically sound. More than that, it is written as a first person account from the heart of a loving pastor. Swanson invites us on a three-part journey down a well-traveled path. That pilgrimage begins with facing death as a reality for all of us. We walk on holy ground as we confront the great mystery of our mortality. Finally, we make the transition to the life beyond.
"The afternoon after I finished reading Everlasting Life, I visited the grave of our son. Erik died when he was twenty-seven years old. I thought of his journey and of mine. David of Bethlehem described it as a trek through the dark valley of the shadow where we need fear no evil because our Shepherd is with us. David of Orlando follows that tradition, encouraging us to enter that brave and glorious venture.
"If you are grieving, read Everlasting Life. If you know someone who is bereaved, share the book with them. It will minister to others as it has to me."Kirk H. Neely, senior pastor and author, When Grief Comes
The Author
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David D. Swanson
David D. Swanson is senior pastor of the 4,000-member First Presbyterian Church of Orlando. He speaks at retreats, conferences, and churches throughout the US and is engaged in a national media teaching ministry called The Well. He has been married to...
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