His Holiness Pope Shenouda speaks about the state of man in eternity and how it differs from the state of Adam and Eve on earth.
He affirms that Adam and Eve were created in the image of God but it was possible for them to sin, whereas in eternity man will be pure and spotless and will not sin.
He explains that the one born of God cannot sin, and that the entrance of man into preservation (inerrancy) prevents him from falling into sin definitively, and his memory is purified from the knowledge of sin.
He mentions that in eternity there is no death and no corruption, but eternal life and a spiritual body that does not deal with matter as the first body did.
He points out that the station of the believers in eternity is higher than the station of the first Adam: they will be like the image of the Son of God and will be granted an exaltation and radiance surpassing the first state.
He explains that those who overcome will sit with Christ on the throne, and receive various crowns (righteousness, life, martyrdom, priesthood, virginity, struggle), which were not given to Adam originally.
He speaks about the lofty gifts and promises given in John’s Revelation (eating from the tree, the manna, garments, and so on) and about seeing the unseen and enjoying what has not occurred to the heart of man.
He concludes by affirming that true knowledge of God and love are the life of eternity: knowing God in love and depth, and that our limited nature will be expanded because God reveals Himself to us so we learn and love more.

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