Paradise on Earth

[onewithhim]

When I learned that the Bible speaks of a restored Garden of Eden and the restoration of mankind to the perfection and endless life that Adam forfeited, I was thrilled. Who doesn't want to keep living on this beautiful earth, with our loved ones, and being able to do all the things we love to do---endlessly?

If God said to you today, "When do you want to die?" would you say "now!!"? I don't think very many people would say that.

We CAN live forever here on Earth. The Bible tells us that we can.

Matthew 5:5
Psalm 37:9-11,29

[FaithWillDo]

... the earth is physical and the physical will no longer be needed for children of God who will have spiritual bodies after they are resurrected.

So the earth will eventually be useless?

Yes, the earth will no longer be needed once Christ accomplishes His mission the Father gave Him. Look at it this way: It took God six literal days to create the physical universe and all that is in it and that was only approximately 6000 years ago. If God is finished using it in the near future, what is that to God? If He wants to create more children in the future, He can easily create another universe in the same short time it took Him to create this one.

Joe

[JehovahsWitness]

Yes, the earth will no longer be needed once Christ accomplishes His mission the Father gave Him.

PSALMS 2:8

Ask of me, and I will give nations as your inheritance And the ends of the earth as your possession.

... the earth is physical and the physical will no longer be needed for children of God who will have spiritual bodies after they are resurrected.

So you say ...

"... this is what Jehovah has said, the Creator of the heavens, He, the true God...the One who firmly established it, who did not create it simply for nothing, who formed it to be inhabited..." (Isaiah 45:18)

The physical world will no longer be needed in future and as with all physical things, I believe it will come to an end someday.

I see.

"He has founded the earth upon its established places; it will not be made to totter to time indefinite, or forever." (Psalm 104:5)

As for what scripture says will happen to the earth in the future, I do not know of any verses that specifically reveal its future.

RELATED POSTS


How can millions be "saved" if only 144,000 individuals go to heaven?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 97#p846597

To learn more please go to other posts related to...

HEAVEN , GOD'S KINGDOM and ... THE 144, 000

[FaithWillDo]

[Replying to JehovahsWitness in post #1942]

Dear JehovahsWitness,
I am out of time for this evening. I'll give you a response in the morning.
Joe

[FaithWillDo]

[Replying to JehovahsWitness in post #1942]

You quoted this verse:

PSALMS 2:8 Ask of me, and I will give nations as your inheritance And the ends of the earth as your possession.

The First Fruits of the harvest are those who are the "heirs". They are also called the saints, overcomers, the Elect, the Chosen and Bride of Christ and probably a few other names. They are the ones who have been chosen by God to be saved in this present age "from the foundation of the world". They receive the "promises" of life (salvation) during the ages. They are saved by the "will" of God and not by their own "will":

Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will...

John 1:12–13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

The "nations as your inheritance" and "the earth as your possession" are blessings that the "heirs" receive only in the final age. The heirs are used by Christ to bring in the remaining harvest of mankind who remain on the earth.

Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Eph 2:6-10 and has raised us up together, and has made us sit down together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus, that he might display in the coming age the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. For ye are saved by grace, through faith; and this not of yourselves; it is God's gift: not on the principle of works, that no one might boast. For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has before prepared that we should walk in them.

Once the last person of mankind is saved and death is defeated, Christ's reign and the ages come to an end. Christ then delivers up the Kingdom of Heaven to the Father who will then be "all in all".

1 Cor 15:20-28 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the consummation, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

At this time, the special blessings of the "heirs" will come to an end. Then life outside the ages (eternity) of this creation event begins for all mankind who are now children of God. Nothing in scripture is revealed after eternity starts but we can assume the physical world will come to an end because "flesh and blood" cannot inherit the Kingdom of God:

1Cor 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood (the physical) cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.

You quoted this verse:

Psa 104:5 You who laid the foundations of the earth, so that it should not be moved forever...

The Hebrew word "olam" is commonly mistranslated as meaning "forever". The word should be translated as "age enduring" or similar.

Here is how I believe the verse should read:

Psa 104:5 You who laid the foundations of the earth, so that it should not be moved for the ages...

Here is another verse that uses the Hebrew word "olam".

Exo 15:8 “The LORD shall reign forever and ever.”

Here, too it is translated as forever but that translation is contradicted by Paul. In 1Cor 15, Paul said that Christ's reign comes to an end and the Kingdom of Heaven is then delivered up to God. So which is it? Does Christ reign forever and ever or does His reign come to an end?

Here is what I believe the correct translation of Ex0 15:8 is:

Exo 15:8 “The LORD shall reign until the age of the ages.”

This translation problem is repeated in the Greek language in the NT:

Rev 11:15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms[fn] of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”

Again, Paul says Christ's reign comes to an end but the translators contradict Him when they translate "aion aion" as for ever and ever.

Furthermore, "aion aion" is mistranslated again in this verse:

Rev 20:10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where[fn] the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

This verse is used to say that those who are cast into the Lake of Fire (Christ's judgment) will be tormented forever. But this cannot be true because Christ saves all mankind:

1 Tim 2:3-6 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Christ reigns for the age of the ages and His judgment of the lost is only for the age of the ages. Once His judgment is complete, the Kingdom of Heaven is full and delivered up to the Father.

Here is what Christ's judgment is like:

1Cor 3:13-15 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Psa 33:5 He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

Isa 1:27 Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.

Isa 2:4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Isa 4:4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.

Prov 28:5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

Christ's judgment is for mankind's benefit. It is necessary for our salvation. Once judgment has burned away our impurities (carnal nature), it comes to an end. That is why Christ said this:

Luke 12:49 “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!

Christ made this statement because of His great love for mankind. His "fire" is His judgment which redeems mankind and that is why He wished the fire was already kindled!!!

All of scripture pertains to the "ages" and is basically silent before and after the ages.

As for what happens to the physical creation after the ages come to an end, I know of no verses that specially tell us. I only assume that since "flesh and blood" cannot inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, the physical world will no longer be needed and therefore, like all physical things, it will eventually come to an end.

Joe

[myth-one.com]

The First Fruits of the harvest are those who are the "heirs".

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ ... (Romans 8:16-17)

Paul wrote various letters to Christians. The Book of Romans is his letter to the Christians at Rome, but it applies to all Christians.

"We are the children of God" applies to every Christian.

Since every Christian is a child of God, then every Christian is also an heir of God our Father.

So the "first fruits of the harvest" does not refer to every heir.

<==============================>

The "first fruits" is clearly identified in the scriptures as Jesus Christ:

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept.

[JehovahsWitness]

WHAT WILL GOD DO WITH THIS OUR PLANET EARTH?

[Replying to JehovahsWitness in post #1942]

You quoted this verse:

PSALMS 2:8 Ask of me, and I will give nations as your inheritance And the ends of the earth as your possession.

The First Fruits of the harvest are those who are the "heirs". They are also called the saints, overcomers, the Elect, the Chosen and Bride of Christ and probably a few other names.

PSALM 2 NWT

Let me proclaim the decree of Jehovah; He said to me: “You are my son; Today I have become your father.+ 8 Ask of me, and I will give nations as your inheritance And the ends of the earth as your possession.

So are you saying this verse does NOT prophetically apply to God's son ?

As for what scripture says will happen to the earth in the future, I do not know of any verses that specifically reveal its future.

[myth-one.com]

The First Fruits of the harvest are those who are the "heirs".

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ ... (Romans 8:16-17)

Paul wrote various letters to Christians. The Book of Romans is his letter to the Christians at Rome, but it applies to all Christians.

"We are the children of God" applies to every Christian.

Since every Christian is a child of God, then every Christian is also an heir of God our Father.

So the "first fruits of the harvest" does not refer to every heir.

<==============================>

The "first fruits" is clearly identified in the scriptures as Jesus Christ:

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept.

[onewithhim]

[Replying to JehovahsWitness in post #1938]

Dear JehovahsWitness,
As for what scripture says will happen to the earth in the future, I do not know of any verses that specifically reveal its future. However, the earth is physical and the physical will no longer be needed for children of God who will have spiritual bodies after they are resurrected. The physical world is for carnal mankind which will cease to exist someday.
Joe

That is a very interesting idea, and speaks of someone's vivid imagination.

The Bible is clear that the earth will remain forever (Ecclesiastes 1:4; Psalm 37:29). It is also clear that God's original purpose was for physical humans to live on the physical planet and do so forever. Adam and Eve would still be here if they had not rebelled. Were they supposed to eventually go to heaven?? Has God changed His mind about humans living on the earth forever? Why would you think that everyone will eventually be spirits? What would be the point of creating physical humans that are supposed to become spirits? Wouldn't He just create everyone as spirit people?

There was no "carnal mankind" on the earth when Adam was created. You say the earth is for carnal mankind, but Adam wasn't created as "carnal," which is a word for "profane" or sinful. He was created sinless, and he willfully rebelled against God, only then becoming carnal. It is God's purpose for mankind and the earth to be together forever, and this will certainly come to fruition. The scripture even says that it will be the righteous that live forever on the earth, and not the carnal. (Psalm 37:10,11,29)

.

Isaiah 45:18

[FaithWillDo]

[Replying to myth-one.com in post #1947]

Dear myth-one.com

You said:
Paul wrote various letters to Christians. The Book of Romans is his letter to the Christians at Rome, but it applies to all Christians.

"We are the children of God" applies to every Christian.

Since every Christian is a child of God, then every Christian is also an heir of God our Father.

So the "first fruits of the harvest" does not refer to every heir.

I don't understand your reasoning on First-Fruits. Yes, the name "children of God" applies to every Christian who is being saved in this age and every Christian saved in this age is a First-Fruit:

James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Here is what I believe you are missing. Salvation comes to mankind in TWO groups. The first group consists of everyone who is saved in this present age. They are called FIRST FRUITS and heirs. The second group to be saved is everyone else who is not saved in the age.

There is an analogy taught in scripture of Christ being a farmer. He brings in an early portion of the harvest in this age. This is the harvest of first fruits. Then at the end of the growing season, He brings in a second and final harvest. The Feast of First Fruits is fulfilled by Christ when He saves those people who have been chosen from the foundation of the world in this age. For that reason, they are called First Fruits. The Feast of Tabernacles will be fulfilled by Christ when He saves the rest of mankind at the end of the final age. At that time, He will make this call:

John 7:37-38 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

You quoted:
I Corinthians 15:22-23 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

This verse is speaking about the resurrection from the dead and the "order" in which it happens. The verse starts off by saying that everyone who is "in Adam" will die. This is all mankind since "death" (the penalty of Adam's sin) was passed down to all of Adam's offspring. This includes Christ since He is descended from Adam. The verse continues by saying that this same "all" who died in Adam will also be made alive "in Christ". It goes on the say that there is an "order" of the resurrection. Christ is first and because of such, He is called the First Fruit. Then comes those who are resurrected "at His coming". Those are the believers who are saved in this age. The second and final group comes at the end and then the Kingdom of Heaven is delivered up to the Father.

Yes, Christ is the First Fruit but we who are saved in this age are His First-Fruits.

Rev 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

Joe

[FaithWillDo]

[Replying to JehovahsWitness in post #1938]

Dear JehovahsWitness,
As for what scripture says will happen to the earth in the future, I do not know of any verses that specifically reveal its future. However, the earth is physical and the physical will no longer be needed for children of God who will have spiritual bodies after they are resurrected. The physical world is for carnal mankind which will cease to exist someday.
Joe

That is a very interesting idea, and speaks of someone's vivid imagination.

The Bible is clear that the earth will remain forever (Ecclesiastes 1:4; Psalm 37:29). It is also clear that God's original purpose was for physical humans to live on the physical planet and do so forever. Adam and Eve would still be here if they had not rebelled. Were they supposed to eventually go to heaven?? Has God changed His mind about humans living on the earth forever? Why would you think that everyone will eventually be spirits? What would be the point of creating physical humans that are supposed to become spirits? Wouldn't He just create everyone as spirit people?

There was no "carnal mankind" on the earth when Adam was created. You say the earth is for carnal mankind, but Adam wasn't created as "carnal," which is a word for "profane" or sinful. He was created sinless, and he willfully rebelled against God, only then becoming carnal. It is God's purpose for mankind and the earth to be together forever, and this will certainly come to fruition. The scripture even says that it will be the righteous that live forever on the earth, and not the carnal. (Psalm 37:10,11,29)

Isaiah 45:18

Dear JehovahsWitness,
You said:
The Bible is clear that the earth will remain forever (Ecclesiastes 1:4; Psalm 37:29).

As I stated earlier, the Hebrew word "olam" should be translated as "age". An "age" of time can never mean forever. This is an example of translator bias.

You said:
It is also clear that God's original purpose was for physical humans to live on the physical planet and do so forever. Adam and Eve would still be here if they had not rebelled.

God is not on plan B or C or any other plan for this creation. God's original purpose for this creation is completely intact and that plan is to create new children. It was never His intention for humans to live in a physical world forever. Your beliefs are bringing God down to the level of mankind who makes mistakes. God never makes mistakes and NOTHING ever happens within His creation that He does not cause to happen.

Dan 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he doeth according to his will in the army of the heavens, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

Isa 46:10-11 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.

Prov 16:1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

Prov 20:24 Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?

Prov 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

Ecc 1:13 An experience of evil God has given to the sons of humanity to humble them by it.

Ecc 3:11 He has made everything fitting in its season; However, He has put obscurity (the world) in their heart so that the man may NOT find out His work, that which God does, that which God does from the beginning to the end.

Jer 10:23 I know, Jehovah, that the way of man is not his own; it is not in a man that walketh to direct his steps.

God created Adam and Eve spiritually marred and they quickly became carnally minded. God then placed Satan in the Garden to tempt Eve knowing that she would sin. That is the purpose Satan exists in this world:

Isa 54:16 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.

Eve also displayed her carnal mindedness BEFORE she sinned:

Gen 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food (LUST OF THE FLESH), and that it was pleasant to the eyes (LUST OF THE EYES), and a tree to be desired to make one wise (PRIDE OF LIFE), she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.


Coupled with Satan deceptions, Eve sinned just as God planned. And Satan did his job as well (to destroy).

You said:
Were Adam and Eve supposed to eventually go to heaven?? Why would you think that everyone will eventually be spirits? What would be the point of creating physical humans that are supposed to become spirits? Wouldn't He just create everyone as spirit people?

Yes, Adam and Eve will eventually "go to heaven", however, heaven is not a place. It is a spiritual state of being. It is salvation. It is being reconciled to God and becoming one of His children.

1Cor 15:45-47 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

God's plan is for mankind to start life as "natural" (physical) and "afterward" become quickening spirits. God is spirit and so will His children be when He is finished birthing us.

You said:
There was no "carnal mankind" on the earth when Adam was created. You say the earth is for carnal mankind, but Adam wasn't created as "carnal," which is a word for "profane" or sinful. He was created sinless, and he willfully rebelled against God, only then becoming carnal. It is God's purpose for mankind and the earth to be together forever, and this will certainly come to fruition. The scripture even says that it will be the righteous that live forever on the earth, and not the carnal.

Adam was sinless but He was made spiritually marred. Because He was spiritually marred, He quickly became carnally minded and sinned. Christ came in the same physical body as Adam but Christ was spiritually perfect and because of such, He never sinned.

It is not God's purpose for mankind and the earth to be together forever. It is God's purpose for us to be His children who are spirit like Him. We start off as physical and move on to become a "quickening spirit".

All mankind will be made "righteous" by Christ once He finishes His work the Father gave Him to do. Once that work is finished, we will be "spirit" and not flesh and bones. The physical earth will have served God's purpose and will no longer be needed.

Joe