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

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 569 by JehovahsWitness]
No where are we to believe the word indicates a literal planet earth, especially in context of Scripture as a whole . . .

Simply repeating a weak argument doesn't make it any stronger, especially when it contradicts the very meaning of the word in question. The Hebrew word "erets" overwhelmingly refers to the literal earth. I don't see the point of the scriptures you cut and pasted; are you suggesting that when Jesus said the word "earth" he actually meant "heaven"?






RELATED THREADS

Erets: Do the meek inherit the earth or "the land"?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 41#p872441




RELATED THREADS


What is God's Kingdom and what will it do for mankind?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 02#p865402

Will life in the coming paradise EARTH be "boring"?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 52#p862552
_________________

[RightReason]

[Replying to JehovahsWitness]

Simply repeating a weak argument doesn't make it any stronger

Simply re posting Watchtower pretty pictures doesn’t either.

The Hebrew word "erets" overwhelmingly refers to the literal earth.

Well, Christendom disagrees with you.

I don't see the point of the scriptures you cut and pasted; are you suggesting that when Jesus said the word "earth" he actually meant "heaven"?

I’m suggesting one cannot take one or two verses and conclude that only 144,000 literally go to heaven and the rest end up back on this literal planet earth. Again, the verse you posted was directed to the Israelites and more about inheriting the promised land. And if there is to be a broader message, one would conclude that those who listen and follow God’s ways will too inherit what God has promised us. And as His heirs Scripture promises us – “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life�

So yes, verses like the following show the accurate interpretation of Scripture regarding heaven. And quite frankly, who would hope for less?

2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.�-John 14:2-4


Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. -Colossians 3:1-2

It’s funny how JW’s can take the word earth literal in, “the meek shall inherit the earth� but don’t take these words of Jesus literal even though the context shows the very crowd Jesus spoke them too took them literally.

Jesus said to them, "Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you� –John 5:53

For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. –Jon 6:55.

60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?�
61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? –John 6:60

And I will ask you one more time, why should someone believe the JW teaching about a literal planet earth? How do you know it is true? Christians disagree with this interpretation. How do you know yours is correct?

[JehovahsWitness]

The Hebrew word "erets" overwhelmingly refers to the literal earth.

Well, Christendom disagrees with you.

And would the A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (Gesenius, Brown, Driver, and Briggs; 1951) and the Old Testament Word Studies by William Wilson be objectionable to Christendom?

Does Christendom have a problem with dictionaries?

click on picture to enlarge


LINK: Word Study
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 441#872441

[RightReason]

[Replying to JehovahsWitness]

The Hebrew word "erets" overwhelmingly refers to the literal earth.

What does 'overwhelmingly' mean? If it means that sometimes "erets" does not refer to literal earth well then . . . .

Also, as I have repeatedly said, even if the word earth has a literal meaning in that verse it is because it was spoken to the Israelites -- and yes! they were to inherit a literal land.

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 574 by RightReason]

It ALWAYS refer to that which is literal (people/land/planet). I explained the rationale for why we can reasonably conclude that Jesus was refering to the whole [literal] planet rather than a portion of it (Israel) ...

HERE
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 441#872441



JW

[RightReason]

[Replying to post 575 by JehovahsWitness]

It ALWAYS refer to that which is literal (planet/land/planet).

I’m still not sure how one can conclude something always refers to something literal. What does that even mean? So what if the word means land or ground. I could still understand the word ground or land to symbolize or mean something else. Many words are not abstract – they mean literal things like say dog and cat. But if I say, It’s raining cats and dogs�, cats and dogs is not to be taken literally. If God says, “you shall inherit the land� , God is using language we human beings can understand. Inheriting land was a good thing. Inheriting land was probably about one of the best things that could happen to someone at that time. It meant no one owned you. It meant freedom. It meant abundance. THAT is how that verse in the Bible is to be understood!

I explained the rationale for why we can reasonably conclude that Jesus was refering to the whole planet rather than a portion of it

Yeah, I saw that and I have other very sincere truth seekers, even Biblical scholars who would not agree with your “reasonable� conclusion. So I ask, how can you be sure how you understand it is right?

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 576 by RightReason]

So you are saying when Jesus said the meek will inherit the earth he was using the word symbolically? Symbolic of what exactly? Heaven?

Also, as I have repeatedly said, even if the word earth has a literal meaning in that verse it is because it was spoken to the Israelites -- and yes! they were to inherit a literal land.

Are you suggesting that since Jesus was speaking to his native Jews his Messianic message and promised future powers would not be global but local?


John 3:16 indicates Jesus mission was for the benefit of entire human race, the message was also to be global, so why should we presume that the blessings that were promised would not also be the same? (also compare Mat 28:19, 20)

[JehovahsWitness]

Yeah, I saw that and I have other very sincere truth seekers, even Biblical scholars who would not agree with your “reasonable� conclusion.

Fine, not a problem... do you have any on hand that feel up to providing a counterargument with references? Or does your own counter argument amount to:"there are people that don't agree with you"?

[onewithhim]

[Replying to post 567 by onewithhim]

"Evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth." (Psalm 37:9, KJV)

"The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever." (Psalm 37:29, KJV)

Already been discussed. “inheriting the earth� was spoken to the Israelites.

The word translated "earth" can also be a translation of aretz, "land". IOW, the land of Israel:

Psa 37:9 For the wicked shall be cut off; but those who wait for the LORD shall possess the land.

Psa 37:11 But the meek shall possess the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.

Something to take note of is that the Greek word for 'earth' (γην, gen) in Matthew 5.5 and LXX Psalm 36.11 can just as well be translated 'land' or even 'ground'. The same is true for the Hebrew word (�רץ, 'erets), used in Psalm 37.11. So to fully grasp which definition of 'earth' is being used, we should understand it as it is used in conjunction with 'inherit' (Greek κλη�ονομεω; Hebrew ירש).


To 'inherit the land' is to possess and dwell in the specific geographical region that God promised to Abraham.

When we find the phrasing used in the Psalms (only eight times, five of which are in Psalm 37), it is historically probable that the above is the intended meaning: to dwell in the land of Israel. This is most obvious in Psalm 44.3 and 105.44, both of which are psalms about the entry of the Israelite tribes into the land of Canaan to 'inherit' it.

Within this context, we see that even when Jesus uses the phrase 'inherit the land', it should not be understand in an arbitrarily global sense, but within his historical context: an Israelite speaking to other Israelites, about who will inherit the land of Israel, and how they should act in order to do so.


https://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/ ... -the-earth


Matt.18:3 "and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."


For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. –Matthew 5:20


2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.�-John 14:2-4


Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. -Colossians 3:1-2

Already discussed, but you do not accept what the Bible says about a physical paradise here on Earth forever. Other people might, so I will continue to tell them about it, in spite of your discouragement.

The Bible really does say that people will live on the earth FOREVER. (Psalm 37:9,11,29) It is not a promise just for the Jews. Jehovah had already said that ALL THE NATIONS will be benefited by the Messiah coming to the earth, not just Israel. (Genesis 12:3; Genesis 18:18) You are making it difficult to tell others about the Good News of the Kingdom.

www.jw.org/en/search/?q=Paradise+on+Earth

[RightReason]

[Replying to post 577 by JehovahsWitness]

So you are saying when Jesus said the meek will inherit the earth he was using the word symbolically? Symbolic of what exactly? Heaven?

Again, the whole phrase represents God will bless those who trust and believe in His ways. Like I said, it was language the people could relate to. Similar to, “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." We aren’t to understand this phrase literally. The phrase however was something that indeed meant something to the audience it was spoken.

Are you suggesting that since Jesus was speaking to his native Jews his Messianic message and promised future powers would not be global but local?

I am suggesting exactly what I suggested above. One could say even if certain language or phrases were used to appeal to a certain audience at a certain time does not mean the meaning or message is not something we today can understand as well. So I couldn’t agree more with your comment

John 3:16 indicates Jesus mission was for the benefit of entire human race, the message was also to be global, so why should we presume that the blessings that were promised would not also be the same? (also compare Mat 28:19, 20)

My comments do not negate John 3:16, rather my point confirms it.

Fine, not a problem... do you have any on hand that feel up to providing a counterargument with references?

Here are a few commentaries from some Biblical scholars. As you can see their conclusions are more in line with what the overwhelming majority of Christianity believes and teaches, So tell me again why your Biblical scholars insist on a narrow literal translation? And why your at it, tell me again, how you know your JW scholars are getting it right?

They shall inherit the earth - This might have been translated the land. It is probable that here is a reference to the manner in which the Jews commonly expressed themselves to denote any great blessing. It was promised to them that they should inherit the land of Canaan. For a long time the patriarchs looked forward to this, Genesis 15:7-8; Exodus 32:13. They regarded it as a great blessing. It was so spoken of in the journey in the wilderness, and their hopes were crowned when they took possession of the promised land, Deuteronomy 1:38; Deuteronomy 16:20. In the time of our Saviour they were in the constant habit of using the Old Testament, where this promise perpetually occurs, and they used it "as a proverbial expression to denote any great blessing, perhaps as the sum of all blessings," Psalm 37:20; Isaiah 60:21. Our Saviour used it in this sense, and meant to say, not that the meek would own great property or have many lands, but that they would possess special blessings. The Jews also considered the land of Canaan as a type of heaven, and of the blessings under the Messiah. To inherit the land became, therefore, an expression denoting those blessings. When our Saviour uses this language here, he means that the meek shall be received into his kingdom, and partake of its blessings here, and of the glories of the heavenly Canaan hereafter. -Barnes'


"The earth" which the meek are to inherit might be rendered "the land"—bringing out the more immediate reference to Canaan as the promised land, the secure possession of which was to the Old Testament saints the evidence and manifestation of God's favor resting on them, and the ideal of all true and abiding blessedness. Even in the Psalm from which these words are taken the promise to the meek is not held forth as an arbitrary reward, but as having a kind of natural fulfilment. When they delight themselves in the Lord, He gives them the desires of their heart: when they commit their way to Him, He brings it to pass; bringing forth their righteousness as the light, and their judgment as the noonday: the little that they have, even when despoiled of their rights, is better than the riches of many wicked (Ps 37:1-24). All things, in short, are theirs—in the possession of that favor which is life, and of those rights which belong to them as the children of God—whether the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are theirs (1Co 3:21, 22); and at length, overcoming, they "inherit all things" (Re 21:7). Thus are the meek the only rightful occupants of a foot of ground or a crust of bread here, and heirs of all coming things. -Jamieson-Fausset


those who are of meek and quiet spirits, though they may not take so deep root in the earth as others more boisterous, yet they shall enjoy what God giveth them with more quiet and certainty; and God will provide for them, verily they shall be fed, Psalm 37:3,11.-Matthew Poole

http://biblehub.com/commentaries/matthew/5-5.htm