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]

I too "believe many millions will be living" in the Paradise conditions described as being the new order, as outlined in Revelation 21 and 22

Yes, it is good.

Indeed, I agree with you whole heartedly.

What an amazingly positive future mankind has to look forward to




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[JehovahsWitness]

I know some people object that paradise will be boring but Indont believe it will be.

QUESTION: Will paradise be "boring"?

Although it is not common, neither is it unheard of for people to object to the idea of eternal life in paradise as being "boring". Whether we find something "boring" or "interesting" is an entirely subjective thing, based mostly on our center of interests as well as our personal likes and preferences, so this post is not written to convince anyone that they should find something interesting that they cannot (for whatever reason). I feel it is safe to say however, that no Jehovah's Witnesses believe eternal life on this our planet earth transformed into paradise like conditions will be " boring".

Since "bordom" like "beauty" is very much in the eye of the beholder, this post will examine the reason's for our own sincere belief that paradise will not be boring. For us.


1. An unendingly interesting God



The primary reason Jehovah's Witnesses wish eternal life (whether that be for the small number - 144, 000 - in heaven or, as is the subject of this post for those that look forward to paradise on earth) is to have an eternity to discover new and facinating facets of the God they worship JEHOVAH. The bible says we have, even in His revealed word the bible only had glimpses of "the fringes" of his facinating mind and intelligence and an eternity will not be long enough to discovere all there is about his unlimited intelliegence and boundless love. The book of Revelation speaks about "new scrolls", understood to be new sources of divine revelation, by which we will have more to learn about God but an infinite God who is generours with His subjects will always have interesting information to share. Jehovah's Witnesss yearn for the time and opportinity to discover more about their facinating God.

NOTE: Jehovah's Witnesses also believe in the existence of intelligent spirit creatures (referred to as "angels" in the bible). We do not know the extent to which humans will be permitted to interact with such one, but there is nothing in the bible that interaction on some level with the millions (perhaps billions) of super intelligent beings will not one day be a facinating feature of life in paradise.

2. How big is the universe



Some wonder why, since humans inhabit a very small planet, revolving around a small star (the sun) in a tiny corner of a signle galaxy in a sea of galaxies, the physical universe is so vast. While we may speculate that this may well have been for His good pleasure, and the delight of the observing angelic creatures, it seems reasonable also to conclude that this physical universe represents a practically endless source of facinating discovery for those that find cosmoslogy, possible space travel and/or the workings of outer space "interesting". How many lifetimes would it take to discover everything that is "out there"? Far from boring if such discovery were your passion.

3. Human intelligence and Creativity



It has been suggested that the most complex thing in the physical universe is actually the human brain. While scientist speculate as to how much of it we actually use in one lifetime, there seems little doubt that the potential of humans to explore the limits of their own creativity is almost endless. Using, less than as some speculate, a small proportion of our brain power, humans accomplishments in the field of physics, mechanics, mathematics, invention, innovation, technology, the arts ... and much more has been impressive to say the least. Yet death has meant that our Einsteins, Newtons, Mozarts, have had their potential cut short and obliged others to build on what they left behind. What will mankind be able to achieve if they could live forever? Granted for something new by a Da Vinci, a Mozart (or a Stevie Wonder), hold no interest whatsoever for some, but in a world were there are potential "geniuses" (genei?) in every conceivable field, and one of those geniuses may well be ourselves, operating at "maximum capacity", how boring will this unending stream invention, innovation and creativity be?

4. Humans: God's Masterpiece



Yet it is not only what man can do that is facinating, it is man himself. Human beings at their best are an endless source of facination and emotional wonder. Even in our imperfect state, subject to express negative characteristics, there are still couples, married for 50 years, and having had a lifetime together want another (and another) because true love is not "boring". Good relationships, not just romantic ones, constantly evolve as the person does, changing in nature but remaining facinating and fulfilling. The prospect of getting to know everyone in our human family, learning about them and our connection to them, not to mention those that will come back in perfect health from the grave, is, for Jehovah's Witneesses one of our most cherished hopes. People find stories about other people, whether fictional or factual, endlessly facinating. In a perfect world, with unlimited time, the "book" of the human family is one many of us will wish to read. And it will be a book where new chapters and "revisions" will never cease.

4. Plant & Animal life: Endlessly facinating



For many people plants and animals are a source of joy and facination. It's not unusual to hear of biologists study a single species for many years and still not fully understand everything about it. Our beautiful planet is bursting with life and sadly for many of us, the closest we will get to deep sea diving, whale spotting or seeing "Gorillas in the mist" will be a tv documentary. For those that love or will learn to love nature, the study and enjoyment of all animal or plant life will indeed take an eternity. And even for those of us that will not be inclined to study nature in detail, the pleasure animals and plants give to humans will remain a source of joy and wonder.



NOTE: Jehovah's Witnesses believe that God ceases creating new life forms at the end of the 6th "day" or creative period. There is nothing in scripture that indicates it is impossible He will, after this present period of "rest", again create new and facinating species for humans to enjoy in the future.


CONCLUSION: Of course all of the above sections could be broken up into subheadings and written about at length. Each Jehovah's Witness has a topic they can wax lyrical about when it comes to hoped for pursuits in the paradise; it is in short, one of our favorite topics and the subject of many a dinner conversation. More seriously it is a basic biblical teaching we have been commissioned to publicize and draws many people to the positive bible message. Humans with measure of mental and physical health, tend not to get "bored" with good food, love and fellowship, sex, music etc because we were created to live , love, enjoy, learn, study, explore the physical universe. This message sounds deep in very being of those that will be in paradise to see and experience such things forever.

Jehovah's Witnesses render all praise and honor for the above to our Great loving and generous God JEHOVAH!



Further reading
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/maga ... -paradise/


JW

[onewithhim]

I too "believe many millions will be living" in the Paradise conditions described as being the new order, as outlined in Revelation 21 and 22

Yes, it is good.

Indeed, I agree with you whole heartedly.

What an amazingly positive future mankind has to look forward to




RELATED POSTS

WHAT DOES PARADISE LOOK LIKE?
viewtopic.php?p=855832#p855832

What will the FOOD look like in paradise ?
viewtopic.php?p=838152#p838152

Will there be FAMILIES in paradise?
viewtopic.php?p=886855#p886855

Will there be CHILDREN in paradise? [this post]
viewtopic.php?p=1015433#p1015433

Will there be ANIMALS in paradise?
viewtopic.php?p=893139#p893139

Will our dead loved one's be with us in paradise?
viewtopic.php?p=896254#p896254

Will we will have governments in paradise?
viewtopic.php?p=1015349#p1015349

Does the bible speak of a divine GOVERNMENT?
viewtopic.php?p=872888#p872888

I LOVE that picture! Those kids look exactly like my own children. What a glorious time that will be, when we all can swim in clear, clean water!


.

[Checkpoint]

Checkpoint wrote:

I too "believe many millions will be living" in the Paradise conditions described as being the new order, as outlined in Revelation 21 and 22.

onewithhim wrote:

Indeed, I agree with you whole heartedly.

What an amazingly positive future mankind has to look forward to

We agree that a promised Paradise is coming.

We disagree sharply as to when.

[Checkpoint]

[Replying to tam in post #1638]

Once again, if Christians (anointed ones) are alive at the start of the thousand years (with the first resurrection)... how then can they be counted among the dead at the end of the thousand years?

By realising several things seldom considered:

The verse says, "This is the first resurrection".

What then does the "this" indicate? To me, that the sentence expressed applies to the whole paragraph it is in.

How about "first"? First, not merely in time but especially in importance; primary. [Akin to being (begotten)born again.]

That is, a spiritual resurrection in this life that results from our repentance and saving faith, without which our destiny is the second Death, but with which we will literally be raised from the dead to life eternal.

The first resurrection and the second Death are put together as counterparts.

The Lord bless and keep you, Tam.

[tam]

Peace to you Checkpoint!

[Replying to tam in post #1638]

Once again, if Christians (anointed ones) are alive at the start of the thousand years (with the first resurrection)... how then can they be counted among the dead at the end of the thousand years?

By realising several things seldom considered:

The verse says, "This is the first resurrection".

What then does the "this" indicate? To me, that the sentence expressed applies to the whole paragraph it is in.

How about "first"? First, not merely in time but especially in importance; primary. [Akin to being (begotten)born again.]

That is, a spiritual resurrection in this life that results from our repentance and saving faith, without which our destiny is the second Death, but with which we will literally be raised from the dead to life eternal.

The first resurrection and the second Death are put together as counterparts.

The Lord bless and keep you, Tam.

Thank you for the blessing!


As to your response, I don't see how this explanation works. I'm also not sure it truly addresses the question I asked. Because my question stands no matter how one interprets 'first resurrection'.

If Christians are alive at the start of the thousand years (no matter how one interprets 'first resurrection')... how then could those same Christians be described as 'the dead' at the end of the thousand years?

Remember, you said that the dead (great and small) standing before the throne were not the physically dead:

Checkpoint said: Physically dead? Not in either passage. They had been dead, but were not during their judgment. Physically dead people are still in their graves, not "standing before the throne"; Revelation 20:12. All were resurrected; Acts 24:15.

Do you see the dilemma?



Peace again to you!
your servant and a slave of Christ,
tammy

[JehovahsWitness]

We agree that a promised Paradise is coming. We disagree sharply as to when.

I can live with that. I think we can agree paradise will come in Gods due time; thats good enough for me.

[Checkpoint]

[Replying to tam in post #1666]

Do you see the dilemma?

Good question. Not as such.

Please elaborate or clarify what it is.

Physically dead = in heir graves. Physically alive = standing before...

Grace and peace.

[PinSeeker]

[Replying to tam in post #1638]

Once again, if Christians (anointed ones) are alive at the start of the thousand years (with the first resurrection)... how then can they be counted among the dead at the end of the thousand years?

By realising several things seldom considered:

The verse says, "This is the first resurrection".

What then does the "this" indicate? To me, that the sentence expressed applies to the whole paragraph it is in.

How about "first"? First, not merely in time but especially in importance; primary. [Akin to being (begotten)born again.]

That is, a spiritual resurrection in this life that results from our repentance and saving faith, without which our destiny is the second Death, but with which we will literally be raised from the dead to life eternal.

The first resurrection and the second Death are put together as counterparts.

You're very close here, Checkpoint. The only thing -- but an immensely important thing -- I would differ with you on here is:

"a spiritual resurrection in this life that results from our repentance and saving faith"

The opposite is true. Our repentance and faith results from the spiritual resurrection, in which we are given new life by the Holy Spirit. When this happens -- when the Spirit "quickens" us -- we are born again, and then is it possible for us to repent and believe. The even better news is, we inevitably will at some point (the appointed time).

Grace and peace to you, my friend.

[PinSeeker]

Peace to you Checkpoint!

[Replying to tam in post #1638]

Once again, if Christians (anointed ones) are alive at the start of the thousand years (with the first resurrection)... how then can they be counted among the dead at the end of the thousand years?

By realising several things seldom considered:

The verse says, "This is the first resurrection".

What then does the "this" indicate? To me, that the sentence expressed applies to the whole paragraph it is in.

How about "first"? First, not merely in time but especially in importance; primary. [Akin to being (begotten)born again.]

That is, a spiritual resurrection in this life that results from our repentance and saving faith, without which our destiny is the second Death, but with which we will literally be raised from the dead to life eternal.

The first resurrection and the second Death are put together as counterparts.

The Lord bless and keep you, Tam.

Thank you for the blessing!


As to your response, I don't see how this explanation works. I'm also not sure it truly addresses the question I asked. Because my question stands no matter how one interprets 'first resurrection'.

If Christians are alive at the start of the thousand years (no matter how one interprets 'first resurrection')... how then could those same Christians be described as 'the dead' at the end of the thousand years?

Remember, you said that the dead (great and small) standing before the throne were not the physically dead:

Checkpoint said: Physically dead? Not in either passage. They had been dead, but were not during their judgment. Physically dead people are still in their graves, not "standing before the throne"; Revelation 20:12. All were resurrected; Acts 24:15.

Do you see the dilemma?

I see it... But it seems you have your own dilemma to deal with. The common thread is systematic theology and specifically soteriology. In other words, who does what in salvation and the order in which it happens.

The "thousand years" is not literal but rather symbolic of the fullness or completeness of time God has allotted Himself to accomplish the redemption of the whole of Israel -- His Elect -- which includes both Gentile and Jew. It began at Pentecost and will continue until Jesus's return. Over that time period, members of the Elect have been, are being, and will be "resurrected" -- born again of the Spirit, brought from death in sin to life in Christ and "seated with Him in the heavenly places" -- in their physical lifetimes. This is the first resurrection.

Both Acts 24:15 and Revelation 20:12 speak of the physical resurrection, which will happen for all, regardless of whether they are Elect or not. This is the second resurrection.

The timeline for this is as follows:

[.........................................................................................................................MILLENNIUM.........................................................................................................................]
[PENTECOST (Acts 2)............................................................................................................................................................................................................RETURN OF THE KING]
[......first resurrection/first resurrection/first resurrection/first resurrection/first resurrection (of each individual member of the God's Elect at his/her own appointed time).....]

The real time span of the Millennium is known only to God. After this, beginning with the return of Christ and occurring in very short order:

[RETURN OF THE KING...SECOND RESURRECTION (all at once)..JUDGMENT...SECOND DEATH (non-Elect only)...ETERNITY]




Now, this timeline, subscribed to by many, is incorrect:

[PENTECOST (Acts 2)..............first RETURN OF THE KING/"RAPTURE"....GREAT TRIBULATION (7 years).....second RETURN OF THE KING....1000 YEARS...ETERNITY]




The latter timeline invites all kinds of inconsistencies in relation to Scripture (but not Scripture itself) that cannot be resolved without introducing one (or many) more. The former resolves all inconsistencies.

Grace and peace to all.