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]

But people WILL take care of the earth when Paradise is set up, Icey. When Jesus comes, he will get rid of ALL individuals that are ruining the earth (Rev.11:18). Everyone who wants to obey God will be in the same position that Adam was in, in the beginning. God's purpose then was for Adam to take care of the earth (Genesis 1:28; 2:15), and just because Adam didn't fulfill that assignment---that doesn't mean that God has changed His mind. Humans will have the privilege of caring for the earth, and we will enjoy doing so forever.

Well put onewithim. Yes the scriptures are quite clear bout the roles of the future government under Christ: the earth and those judged righteous enough to continue living on it have a bright future. Reason indeed to be joyful.

Enjoy your assembly !!



JW




https://www.jw.org/en/publications/book ... om-of-god/

[onewithhim]

It is ironic that the things people enjoy most about their life now on this planet are things they want to have in heaven, when all the things that are loved and enjoyed by them will actually be a reality on the earth. I wish people could understand that, and look forward to life on Earth forever.

"The righteous will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it." (Psalm 37:29)

[onewithhim]

I am so encouraged by the scriptures that have been brought onto this thread. Isn't is so encouraging to read of the condition of the earth after Jesus comes back?

Animals and evil people "will not do any harm or cause any ruin in all my holy mountain, because the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah as the waters are covering the very sea." (Isaiah 11:9)


.

[We_Are_VENOM]

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?

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

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

It just never fails; Jehovah's Witnesses say one thing, and the Bible says another. You ask "who doesn't want to keep living on this beautiful earth"?

When you ask this question, the first question that comes to my mind is; wait a minute, what do you mean "this" beautiful earth, as if faithful believers will reside on "this" earth.

Scripture is clear, that there will be a NEW heaven and a NEW earth, "for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away" (Rev 21:1).

That being said, faithful believers won't reside on "this" earth, we will reside on new, restored, grander earth that Jesus has prepared for us (John 14:2).

This is just a minor falsehood (in the grand scheme of things), but if the minor details are off, one can only imagine the amount of major stuff that are off.

Second, speaking of paradise on earth, if anyone has noticed in some of the drawing illustrations (in Watchtower Publications), you will often see drawings of people as they dwell on this "paradise" earth...and in the drawing you will often see the people conducting manual labor (with smiles on their faces), mainly gardening.

Such depictions are false. Why? For the simple fact that, they claim that "paradise" will be a restoration of the Garden of Eden, yet before the fall of man, there was no manual labor, as manual labor did not begin until AFTER the fall. In fact, manual labor was actually a punishment that was implemented by God to Adam as a result of his sin (Gen 3:17).

So if this "paradise" that Jehovah's Witnesses speak of is a restoration of the Garden of Eden, (where there was no manual labor needed), why would manual labor be needed in this restored Garden of Eden?

The labor is already done. God provided the labor, all we have to do is simply show up and enjoy what God has given us as a reward!!

Again, the Bible says one thing, Jehovah's Witnesses say another.

[JehovahsWitness]

Scripture is clear, that there will be a NEW heaven and a NEW earth, "for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away" (Rev 21:1).

Jehovahs Witnesses are not biblical literalist, thus we believe when Revelation (a highly symbolic look of itself) speaks about a new heaven and a new earth it is not refering to the literal planet earth (that God pronounced "good" as he was preparing it for human habitation) but to a symbolic heaven and a symbolic earth.

For a more detailed exposed on this please see the post Why is it both unscriptural and god-dishonouring to teach God will destroy his own planet earth?
viewtopic.php?p=988356#p988356

JW





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FURTHER READING Will the Earth Be Destroyed?
https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/q ... destroyed/

To learn more please go to other posts related to


GOD'S KINGDOM , THE DESTRUCTION OF THIS PLANET and ... THE EARTHLY PARSDISE

[JehovahsWitness]

IS A RETURN TO GOD'S ORIGINAL PURPOSE FOR THIS PLANET SCRIPTURAL?

There are those that claim any notion of a "return to Eden" is unscriptual. Firstly it should be noted that the expression "return to Eden" is not used in the literature of Jehovahs Witnesses (the literal garden of Eden was lost and no doubt destroyed by the flood). Rather we speak of a return to the paradisaic (garden like) conditions described in Eden in fulfillment of Gods original purpose (compare Isaiah 55:10-11). There is therefore no reason to assume that life would have to be absolutely identical to that of Adam and Eve in order for it go meet such a criteria. There is no need for example to conclude humans would have to forgoe clothing, have to rename all the animalls or have their partners are for them from a single rib. The point is that humans finally live as Jehovah God evidently originally intended in delightful conditions free from suffering, hunger, sickness and death .


WILL THERE BE MANUAL LABOUR IN PARADISE ?

Manual means relating to or done with the hands. labour (in British English, manual labor in American English) or manual work is physical work done by humans, in contrast to labour by machines and working animals. However a more extensive definition indicates the expression has a rather negative or inapplicable connotations. For example Merriam Webster defines "manual labour" as follows...



Thus the expression "manual labour" is often used in the sense of unpleasant compulsory (often unsatisfying and repetitive) unskilled tasks for money . This is not something which can be thought of as applying to paradise. On the other hand, will humans work with their hands at tasks they find both pleasurable and productive, the bible indicates Yes!

Will people work in paradise?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 34#p796534

Will people build and live in houses in paradise?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 71#p915971

ARE THE SCRIPTURES THAT SPEAK OF WORK IN PARADISE CONTRADICTORY TO THE LIFE OF ADAM AND EVE BEFORE THE FALL?

... before the fall of man, there was no manual labor, as manual labor did not begin until AFTER the fall. In fact, manual labor was actually a punishment that was implemented by God to Adam as a result of his sin (Gen 3:17).

While Adam and Eve certainly had no unpleasant unsatisfying gruelling hard labour in PARADISE, it is not logical or scriptural to imagine they never used their hands for tasks or exerted themselves physically to achieve satisfying goals. Man was made in God's image and Jesus explained that his Father "kept on working" (John 5:17). Jesus is figuratively described as "wisdom" the “master worker.” (Pr 8:12, 22-31) indeed humans need physically and mentally challenging activities to be healthy and happy.

ECCLESIATES 3:13

also that everyone should eat and drink and find enjoyment for all his hard work. It is the gift of God

DID ADAM AND EVE WORK?

Yes, notice that Gods commission to them before they sinned was to subdue the earth (Ge 1:28). To subdue means to "bring under control" which implies a degree of effort on this part. While God initially planted the garden, they were logically in charge of maintaining it which as any gardener knows would have involved some degree of work with their hands (manuel). Also while God planted the trees there is no indication picked the fruit every day and placed it into their open mouths like fledgljngs everytime they wanted a meal. Also interestingly when he did put them out of the garden for sinning, Jehovah God mentioned how hard it would subsequently be for them to make bread. Not a fitting image if perfect Adam and Eve had no idea what bread was. Arguably then, this indicates Adam and Eve were well familiar not only with fire but with gathering, grinding, mixing and baking.

CONCLUSION For many the idea of paradise with physical activities is new but logically, although gruelling labour is not part of Gods purpose, satisfying work is "a gift from God" and evidently something we will be blessed to enjoy for all eternity.

[We_Are_VENOM]

Jehovahs Witnesses are not biblical literalist, thus we believe when Revelation (a highly symbolic look of itself) speaks about a new heaven and a new earth it is not refering to the literal planet earth (that God pronounced "good" as he was preparing it for human habitation) but to a symbolic heaven and a symbolic earth.

That can't be true, because if you read down to verse 5, Jehovah stated, "I am making everything new", after it was just spoken about this "new" heaven and "new" earth.

This is literal, unless you care to explain how Jehovah can make something "new" in a symbolic way.

Not to mention verse 3 stated that God is now making his dwelling place among men, which is in/on the same place that was just spoken of; the new heaven and the new earth.

This is about as literal as it can get. The context is clear, the old earth will pass away and be replaced by a new one.

[JehovahsWitness]

Jehovahs Witnesses are not biblical literalist, thus we believe when Revelation (a highly symbolic look of itself) speaks about a new heaven and a new earth it is not refering to the literal planet earth (that God pronounced "good" as he was preparing it for human habitation) but to a symbolic heaven and a symbolic earth.

That can't be true, because if you read down to verse 5, Jehovah stated, "I am making everything new", after it was just spoken about this "new" heaven and "new" earth..

We be live its a symbolic "new". As I said we are not biblical literalists.




JW




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[We_Are_VENOM]

Jehovahs Witnesses are not biblical literalist, thus we believe when Revelation (a highly symbolic look of itself) speaks about a new heaven and a new earth it is not refering to the literal planet earth (that God pronounced "good" as he was preparing it for human habitation) but to a symbolic heaven and a symbolic earth.

That can't be true, because if you read down to verse 5, Jehovah stated, "I am making everything new", after it was just spoken about this "new" heaven and "new" earth..

We be live its a symbolic "new". As I said we are not biblical literalists.

I understand what you "believe".

I am asking you to explain what Jehovah meant when he said "I am making everything new" (Rev 21:5), which is in the same context a "new heaven" and "new earth"

If what Jehovah said here isn't meant to be taken literally, then how are we to understand it in a symbolic context?

Especially given the fact that the scripture clearly states that the old heaven/earth has passed away.

[JehovahsWitness]

I am asking you to explain what Jehovah meant when he said "I am making everything new" (Rev 21:5), which is in the same context a "new heaven" and "new earth"

If what Jehovah said here isn't meant to be taken literally, then how are we to understand it in a symbolic context?

Somethjng is literally new when it is "produced, introduced, or discovered recently or now for the first time; not existing before". Revelation speaks of God making "everything new including a new earth and a new heavens. Some take this in the absolute to mean he will replace everything includjng heaven and out planet earth but this is both unscriptural and illogical.

HOW IS THE SYMBOLIC HEAVEN AND EARTH SYMBLLICALLY "NEW"


Not that they have been "recently discovered" or "did not exist before" but in that they occupy a newly exclusive position.

To illustrate: When a man introduces his family to his "new bride" does it mean that the woman has just been born or is literally a new person? Or does it rather mean she as newly taken on an exclusive role as his wife.

The new earth/heaven is "synbolically" new in that although existing prior to its estaliment as the new norm, it will take a position in its newly exclusive role in the fulfillment of Gods purpose. While bible literalist tie themselves into all kinds of theological knots because they fail to grasp the basic notion of symbolism, applying a little logic can help see the meaning of many of the more challengjng bible passages.






JW



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