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

[Eloi]

I use Google Translator, and I am sure sometimes it does not translate the same idea ... I am from Cuba.

Do you mean that you are part of a real group of religious who are close together as brothers, and baptize others to be part of their community, and preach in an organized way, and study the Scriptures together?

Perhaps studying a little how the Christian community functioned in the first century would help you understand the reality of true Christianity ... that it is not a fictitious group that you think exists and to which you belong because you say so, and so on. If you ever studied the Bible with a Jehovah's Witness enough to understand what it teaches about it, you would know these things. For example, when a problem of understanding arose about the circumcision of non-Jews, the matter had to be brought up to the Elders and Apostles in Jerusalem (Acts 15). It was not everyone who decided what he understood. Even Paul followed their instructions.

Jesus never commanded anyone to interpret the Scriptures for himself, much less to preach his own interpretation. These kinds of ideas arise out of the disappointment of people in religious groups, but it is clear that true Christianity has to be organized as it was in the first century to function as it should be.

By the way, we have a new study book for Bible courses. Tell some sister of my faith to show you. The new method with which we teach now is fascinating.

[tam]

Peace to you,

I use Google Translator, and I am sure sometimes it does not translate the same idea ... I am from Cuba.

Do you mean that you are part of a real group of religious who are close together as brothers, and baptize others to be part of their community, and preach in an organized way, and study the Scriptures together?

I mean that I am part of Christ, of His Body (His Church).

This not a religion with religious leaders (no governing body, no popes, no bishops, no cardinals, etc).

Christ is the Leader, Teacher, Master and Lord.

The ONE Teacher, Leader, Master.

His sheep listen to His voice and follow Him.

Perhaps studying a little how the Christian community functioned in the first century would help you understand the reality of true Christianity ... that it is not a fictitious group that you think exists and to which you belong because you say so, and so on. If you ever studied the Bible with a Jehovah's Witness enough to understand what it teaches about it, you would know these things. For example, when a problem of understanding arose about the circumcision of non-Jews, the matter had to be brought up to the Elders and Apostles in Jerusalem (Acts 15). It was not everyone who decided what he understood. Even Paul followed their instructions.

Paul did not follow their instructions. Paul already knew what was true on the matter from Christ. Paul took the matter to the apostles because men were claiming to have come FROM the apostles with this teaching, causing trouble with others. The apostles did not decide on their own either, of course, they had to take the matter to the Spirit (to Christ).

Jesus never commanded anyone to interpret the Scriptures for himself, much less to preach his own interpretation.

Agreed.

But the Governing Body (and/or the writing committee) does interpret the scriptures for themselves. They base their doctrines off their interpretations of what is written. That's why there are mistakes, right?

These kinds of ideas arise out of the disappointment of people in religious groups, but it is clear that true Christianity has to be organized as it was in the first century to function as it should be.

Something that is TRUE should not have falsehood in it.

Christ is the Truth. There is nothing false in Him. He does not teach falsehood or false doctrines.

Religions (all religions, including your own) teach a mixture of truth and falsehood. If there were no truth in them at all, how could the elect be misled? But no religion is the truth.

Only Christ is the Truth, and He is the Teacher, the One to whom God said to listen.

I did study with your religion for two years before I knew these things. I accepted that study because they claimed to follow only the bible, and I was trying to read the bible for the first time, myself. But during the course of the study I could see that your religion did some of the same things it criticized other religions for doing (including going beyond what was written; teaching things that Christ did not teach).

I eventually stopped the study with them, to study and reflect and pray on my own for a while. In the process, I asked my Father in heaven to lead me to where He wanted me to be, for His Truth, and as I said, He led me to His Son. I am to remain in and listen to that Son. I cannot do that and be part of yours (or any other) religion.

By the way, we have a new study book for Bible courses. Tell some sister of my faith to show you. The new method with which we teach now is fascinating.

I am going to stick with the Teacher God gave me, dear Eloi.

"But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers." Matt 23:8


And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His TRUE and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught. 1John 2:27


(that is the anointing of holy spirit - that Christ gives, that Christ breathed out upon His apostles after His death and resurrection John 20:22, and again at Pentecost Acts 2, and again with Cornelius and his loved ones Acts 10:44-47).


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

[Eloi]

How convenient! ... having an invisible Leader who never speaks to you, but who you have there, in your imagination.
The truth is your "Jesus" is your own imagination, and according to yourself, an anointed and enlightened imagination. Excuse me if I sound rude ... (Matt. 7:21-23).

And back to the topic: do your mind tells you to believe in an earthly paradise?

[tam]

Peace again to you,

How convenient! ... having an invisible Leader who never speaks to you, but who you have there, in your imagination.

Christ is a living being. He is the Living Word of God. He speaks. He said His sheep would listen to His voice. How can we listen to His voice if He is not speaking? He even said that He calls us by name. Not only that, dear Eloi, but there are multiple examples of Him speaking after His death and resurrection and ascension in the Bible.

From the thread "Does Christ speak and how":

viewtopic.php?p=738377#p738377


But look at what you seem to be admitting (though it could be the language barrier). You are saying that Christ does not speak... which would mean that Christ is not speaking to the Governing Body of your religion (or to anyone in your religion). They (and/or the writing committee) are interpreting scriptures and coming up with doctrines based on their personal interpretations.

And isn't our leader supposed to be Christ (if indeed we are His sheep, His disciples)?

The truth is your "Jesus" is your own imagination, and according to yourself, an anointed imagination. Excuse me if I sound rude ... (Matt. 7:21-23).

It is not the rudeness as much as the possible hypocrisy, since you were just criticizing me for 'malicious accusations'.


But the truth is that my Lord is Jaheshua, meaning "JAH saves", the Chosen and Holy One of JAH (who is Himself the MOST Holy One). My Lord is not "Jesus" (imaginary or otherwise), which was never His name, as I think even the WTS agrees.

I am not going to deny my Lord or the anointing I received from Him, just because others might reject it or even mock it.

Because it is not about me. It is about Christ. Bearing witness to Him. Following Him. Loving Him. Obeying Him. Remaining in Him and in His word.



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

[Eloi]

(...) do your mind tells you to believe in an earthly paradise?

So ... don't you believe in the earthly paradise that will exist by the time of the Millennium?

PD: I already know how your mind works; you don't need to explain it further. You are not the only person who interprets the Bible in your own way and believes that it is the holy spirit that tells you how. Thanks for being honest, though.

[tam]

Peace to you,

(...) do your mind tells you to believe in an earthly paradise?

So ... don't you believe in the earthly paradise that will exist by the time of the Millennium?

I didn't answer your question because of the way you asked it.

Does 'your mind' tell you...?

My 'mind' is not my Lord. My 'mind' is not Christ.

Do I believe in a paradise on earth? I'm not sure I would phrase it exactly that way, but yes the Kingdom is to be established upon the earth. New Jerusalem (the Bride, the Holy City) comes down out of heaven and is upon the earth. When Christ returns, people of the nations are gathered before Him (people on the earth).

I will see if I can find an earlier post on the subject in this thread and link to that.

PD: I already know how your mind works; you don't need to explain it further. You are not the only person who interprets the Bible in your own way and believes that it is the holy spirit that tells you how. Thanks for being honest, though.

I was being honest, but I did not say the things that you are claiming. So either you are not being honest... or... there is an issue with the translation tool you are using because of the language barrier. I did provide a link in the previous post that goes into more detail though.


Peace again to you.

[Eloi]

I'd been asking you the same question for a while in many different ways
Anyway ... I have not more time for today.
Have a good night.

[tam]

Peace to you,

I'd been asking you the same question for a while in many different ways

Okay, well, now you have your answer.

Anyway ... I have not more time for today.
Have a good night.

You as well.

[Eloi]

(...) Do I believe in a paradise on earth? I'm not sure I would phrase it exactly that way, but yes the Kingdom is to be established upon the earth. New Jerusalem (the Bride, the Holy City) comes down out of heaven and is upon the earth. When Christ returns, people of the nations are gathered before Him (people on the earth).

I will see if I can find an earlier post on the subject in this thread and link to that.

Thank you for answering. As Scripture says, the kingdom that is established in heaven extends its rule to the entire planet, and humans here will be blessed. Not only Rev. 21:3,4 tells us about what God’s Kingdom will accomplish. Jehovah's Witnesses have learned from the Bible that the Kingdom of God will do these things:

• Remove the wicked, whose selfishness harms us all. “As regards the wicked, they will be cut off from the very earth.”—Proverbs 2:22.
  
  End all wars. “[God] is making wars to cease to the extremity of the earth.”—Psalm 46:9.
  
  Bring prosperity and security to the earth. “Everyone will live in peace among their own vineyards and fig trees, and no one will make them afraid.”—Micah 4:4, Good News Translation.
  
  Make the earth into a paradise. “Thirsty deserts will be glad; barren lands will celebrate and blossom with flowers.”—Isaiah 35:1, Contemporary English Version.
  
  Provide everyone with meaningful, enjoyable work. “The work of their own hands [God’s] chosen ones will use to the full. They will not toil for nothing.”—Isaiah 65:21-23.
  
  Eliminate disease. “No resident will say: ‘I am sick.’”—Isaiah 33:24.
  
  Set us free from the aging process. “Let his flesh become fresher than in youth; let him return to the days of his youthful vigor.”—Job 33:25.
  
  Bring the dead back to life. “All those in the memorial tombs will hear [Jesus’] voice and come out.”—John 5:28, 29.

https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/q ... m-will-do/

The earth will be a true paradise.

[tam]

[Replying to Eloi in post #2039]

With no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain.



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