In prophecy, 'life' is used as a reference to the kingdom.
"And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into LIFE maimed than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into LIFE than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into THE KINGDOM OF GOD with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire" (Mark 9:43, 45, 47) cf Matthew 19:16-23, 28-29
