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]

Man was created for a reason and purpose.

Yes I know, to populiste this our planet earth and live on it forever. Thus the title of this thread.

PSALM 116:16

Christian Standard Bible
The heavens are the LORD’s, but the earth he has given to the human race.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
The Heaven of Heavens is LORD JEHOVAH's and the Earth he has given to the children of men.

Dear jehovahswitness,
The human race (all who are "in Adam") has been given the earth (carnality) but those who have been converted into children of God (all who are "in Christ") are given the Kingdom of Heaven and immortality.
You must rightly divide the Word.
Joe

What is dividing the Word?


.

Dear Miles,
There is another division that is very important that I failed to mention above.

First comes the natural (physical), then comes the spiritual.

1Cor 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

The Word of God first came on tablets of stone (physical), now it comes written in our hearts (spiritual). The Old Covenant is physical, the New Covenant is spiritual. We first have physical bodies and will later have spiritual bodies. We first have a carnal understanding of God's Word, then after conversion, we have a spiritual understanding of the God's Word. Christ first appeared in the physical, now, at the time of the Latter Rain, He appears spiritually.

This is a very important teaching in scripture and it is why in the future, we will no longer have physical bodies nor will we live on the physical earth. Mankind (children of the Devil) will be spiritually changed into children of God and will be given a spiritual body to match. At that point, we will not live in a physical world any longer. We will live in the heavenly realm as do Christ and the Father.

Joe

[Tcg]

The Word of God first came on tablets of stone (physical), now it comes written in our hearts (spiritual). The Old Covenant is physical, the New Covenant is spiritual. We first have physical bodies and will later have spiritual bodies. We first have a carnal understanding of God's Word, then after conversion, we have a spiritual understanding of the God's Word. Christ first appeared in the physical, now, at the time of the Latter Rain, He appears spiritually.

This is a very important teaching in scripture and it is why in the future, we will no longer have physical bodies nor will we live on the physical earth. Mankind (children of the Devil) will be spiritually changed into children of God and will be given a spiritual body to match. At that point, we will not live in a physical world any longer. We will live in the heavenly realm as do Christ and the Father.

Joe

Hello Joe,

Are any of your opinions here based on this pamphlet by C. I. Scofield?




Tcg

[FaithWillDo]

The Word of God first came on tablets of stone (physical), now it comes written in our hearts (spiritual). The Old Covenant is physical, the New Covenant is spiritual. We first have physical bodies and will later have spiritual bodies. We first have a carnal understanding of God's Word, then after conversion, we have a spiritual understanding of the God's Word. Christ first appeared in the physical, now, at the time of the Latter Rain, He appears spiritually.

This is a very important teaching in scripture and it is why in the future, we will no longer have physical bodies nor will we live on the physical earth. Mankind (children of the Devil) will be spiritually changed into children of God and will be given a spiritual body to match. At that point, we will not live in a physical world any longer. We will live in the heavenly realm as do Christ and the Father.

Joe

Hello Joe,

Are any of your opinions here based on this pamphlet by C. I. Scofield?




Tcg

Dear Tcq,
No. I have never read it. My understanding comes directly from scripture though I have read a great deal of what others teach (nearly all of which is false).

On Oct. 8th, 2005, I received the Latter Rain of the Spirit and was converted. At that time, Christ healed my spiritual blindness and the Word of God opened up to me (Christ "unveiled" Himself to me). I quickly re-learned the milk of the Word from a few teachers which Christ placed in my path. But shortly after that time, it became clear to me that I no longer needed a teacher. That is not boasting, it is just the way the path of salvation proceeds as a believer travels it to spiritual maturity. Our salvation is 100% the work of Christ and He will see to it that we complete that path. In our "marred" spiritual condition which we have from birth, mankind can contribute nothing towards their own salvation. That is why we need a Savior.

Here is a copy of my conversion testimony:

Conversion Testimony of Joe & Julie Edwards
October 8th, 2005

Two years ago, my wife Julie and I had been without a church home for 4 years after having moved to Fayetteville, AR. We visited many churches during that time (some for 3 or 4 months) but we never could find any that seemed to have a real love for the Lord. After our own personal study of the scripture, we decided that we wanted to be baptized in the Name of Jesus instead of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit as we had done many years ago. We could not find any churches that would baptize this way until we talked to a friend (Rusty Newman) who went to a Oneness Pentecostal church in Bentonville, AR. We decided to go and be baptized there even though we were from a Church of Christ/Baptist type background. We studied in the scripture about receiving the Holy Spirit and the gifts which the Spirit gives.

Four weeks later, my wife was filled with the Spirit at home and started speaking in tongues. It was a very powerful experience with her. She was constantly filled for about two weeks, speaking in tongues nearly every time she opened her mouth. She spent a great deal of time on her knees in tears speaking in tongues as she prayed. We didn't really know what to think of it. Like I said, we were from a church background that denies tongues. We were not children either, I was 43 and she was 37. We really were amazed with her experience. A few weeks went by and she would still go on her knees in prayer every day and the Spirit would speak through her in tongues until one day as she spoke, the words changed into English. We soon realized that she was prophesying in the Spirit. We had never even heard of this gift before and were greatly amazed by it. Over the next year & a half, she has received "words" (that is what we call them) from the Lord more than two dozen times. One of the words she received told us (me & her) that the Lord had great treasure for us if we would continue seeking him.

I will quote it to you:
"I am. I know your heart. Seek Me and I will be found. Look deep into My Word. The truth is not to be given by man but only revealed by Me. It is for those whose hearts desire it above the treasures of this world. You must give up all and treasure you will receive. I am the truth and the only way. I am the Lord."

Julie received this "word" in July 2004. I know what you are thinking - I wouldn't have believed it is real either if someone were to tell me about it happening to someone else. I was not sure whether to believe it or not for a long time. But after a few months, I did come to believe it was really from the Lord because the things she prayed over and received "words" concerning, would come to pass just as she prophesied.

Then four weeks ago, my journey to the Lord took a sudden and giant step! I saw a picture on foxnews.com of a young Muslim boy (age 12) who had just lived through the recent Pakistan earthquake. For some reason, my heart for this boy was really going out to him. I have rarely ever felt this way before by a news story. That evening in prayer at home, the image of the boy came back to me and I grieved for him as I prayed. I was not grieving for him because of the earthquake but because I thought that he was going to be eternally lost and that he really doesn't have a realistic chance of being saved. I couldn't understand why I had been blessed with the opportunity to know the Lord and why he has virtually no opportunity since he lives in a Muslim country. I asked the Lord why this was the case. I was so confused and couldn't understand why he was most likely going to hell just because of where he had been born.

Almost three days had passed since I had prayed that prayer and I had not given it much more thought. But on that third day (Friday, Oct. 7, 2005) I had some extra time at work so I decided to study "end-time" prophecy on the internet (my great passion). I went to Google and searched on a couple of words (I can't remember them now) and a list of websites came up. I looked through the list and noticed Ray Smith's website “bible-truths.com”. I thought it looked interesting so I clicked on it. By the next morning, I had read his Lake of Fire Series for a few hours and was now on part four. I couldn't believe what I was reading but I felt compelled to continue reading it anyway. Later that same morning (Saturday, Oct. 8, 2005), I took a break from my reading to pray about it. I prayed for the Lord to open my eyes if what Ray Smith had written was true and went back to reading. I was still on the fourth part when the Lord suddenly opened my eyes. I became overjoyed at the truth the Lord had just revealed to me! It was joy like I had never felt before in my life. It was at that point that I remembered my prayer from earlier in the week concerning the Muslim boy. Immediately, I knew that this new truth which the Lord had just shown me was the answer to that prayer. I was overjoyed again. I then decided to find Julie (she was in the kitchen) and share with her what the Lord had just revealed to me. I explained to her what I had been reading and pointed out the supporting scriptures. Within 30 minutes, she was filled with the Spirit and began praising the Lord because of the new knowledge of the truth that He had revealed to her, too.

The last 4 weeks Julie and I have studied scripture every day and have been trying to share the new truths with our friends at church. But cutting through the details, we ended up leaving the church for good a few days ago. No one there could receive the truth that the Lord had revealed to us. In just four short weeks, we had learned so much from our studies that nearly everything we knew before as “truth”, we now knew to be lies. I could hardly believe how spiritually blind we were just a few short weeks before. Now from scripture, we have come to understand what had just happened in both our lives - the Lord had appeared unto us a second time, baptized us with His Spirit (Latter Rain) and healed our spiritual vision. We found the "treasure" mentioned in Julie’s prophesy from about a year & a half ago. We didn't even remember her receiving that "word" until I stumbled across it a few days ago from an old email I had sent to a family member. When I reminded her of it and read it to her, she was filled with tears of joy again.

The next day, Julie received another "word" from the Lord. It said:
"I will answer. I have shown you the truth in My Word. It is only revealed to those who seek it. It is by faith. It is for those who seek to know Me. I will bring all before My judgment, which is righteous and true. I will complete all things as I have committed to do by My Word. The things of the Spirit cannot be understood by man, even if I reveal it. It will be as I have spoken it. Some will hear and not believe. Some will hear and search but will desire the favor of men more than Me. Some will hear and seek understanding, and by faith I will show them. These will be few. These few will rejoice as one who has found great treasure! Keep seeking, remain faithful and I will give abundant blessings. You ask of Yahweh. I Am that I Am, come to men to show them the Light. Of the One, from and in the One when all things are completed as it was established before time. All will be brought to life in the One. It will not then be needful to show man God or give man His Spirit. Man cannot receive more because he cannot understand".

Several weeks after receiving the Latter Rain of the Spirit, Julie ceased receiving “words” from the Lord. She has not received any since that time. I believe it is because of what this verse teaches:

1Cor 13:8-10 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

May the Lord bless and keep you,
Joe

[myth-one.com]

Then four weeks ago, my journey to the Lord took a sudden and giant step! I saw a picture on foxnews.com of a young Muslim boy (age 12) who had just lived through the recent Pakistan earthquake. For some reason, my heart for this boy was really going out to him. I have rarely ever felt this way before by a news story. That evening in prayer at home, the image of the boy came back to me and I grieved for him as I prayed. I was not grieving for him because of the earthquake but because I thought that he was going to be eternally lost and that he really doesn't have a realistic chance of being saved. I couldn't understand why I had been blessed with the opportunity to know the Lord and why he has virtually no opportunity since he lives in a Muslim country. I asked the Lord why this was the case. I was so confused and couldn't understand why he was most likely going to hell just because of where he had been born.

The following is what will be the fate of that 12 year old Muslim boy and all mankind, believers and nonbelievers:

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.

All mankind are like the first man Adam in that all die. Likewise, every human (believer or nonbeliever) who ever died shall be resurrected or made alive again. Jesus was the first to be resurrected:

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

The resurrection which we presently await is the one at which "they that are Christ's" will be resurrected. "They that are Christ's" refers to Christians. This resurrection for all deceased Christians occurs at the Second Coming of Jesus to the earth, or "at his coming." Christians who are alive on the earth when Jesus returns will be born again as spirits and meet Jesus and the resurrected Christians in the air:

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

At this point after the first resurrection, all Christians (dead or alive) have been born again as spiritual beings. They will then enjoy the millennium with Jesus:

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

After the millennium, all dead nonbelievers are resurrected from their graves and face judgment:

But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.

The “rest of the dead” are all nonbelievers as all deceased and living believers were born again as spiritual beings at the Second Coming. If the Muslim boy died as a nonbeliever in Jesus, he will be resurrected as a human at this second resurrection.

All nonbelievers (those resurrected as humans after the thousand years and all living at that time) will then face the great white throne judgment:

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

After the judgment of nonbelievers, whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Be aware that absolutely none of those nonbelievers resurrected at the second resurrection or living at that time had their names written in the book of life prior to their judgment! Every single human, dead or alive, with their names written in the book of life (believers) were born again into everlasting spiritual life at the first resurrection! So why are they checking the book again? Something obviously occurred since these nonbelievers were resurrected to cause the book of life to be modified. Otherwise, there would be no reason to check the book again for their names. What happened?

Nonbelievers resurrected to mortal life at the second resurrection will make their choice after understanding what the two possible choices are. If they were not given a choice on earth prior to their death, they will be given their choice after their resurrection as mortal humans in the second resurrection.

From the New International Version of The Holy Bible:

For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

Their choice will be based on being preached the true gospel message for the first time. It will be preached at this time in the entire world, before the end of the age of man can occur:

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Recall that all dead and living Christians were born again as spiritual bodied beings at the Second Coming. And there is no reason to believe that anyone will become a believer during the thousand year millennium, as they have no preachers:

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

All whose names were written in the Book of Life as believers were born again at the Second Coming. So the Book of life had been cleared. All inheritors had received their rewards. After the Millennium, the second resurrection for mankind occurs:

But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.

Everyone raised in this second resurrection will face the great white throne judgment as all have sinned and are all headed for the second death.

The judgment will hold them responsible for their behavior as humans and some may see that God's plan for them was better than their way of life.

Satan is locked away during this time, the scriptures are unsealed, and these nonbelievers are explained the true good news of the scriptures.

Following this process, the Book of Life is checked again.

The only possible reason to check the book again after the judgment, is to see if any names were written into the book during the great white throne judgment.

Would God raise these people again as physical bodies only to humiliate them during their judgment before casting them into the lake of fire? Why bother raising them from the dead only to inflict another painful physical death upon them? This flies in the face of "God is love." If the nonbelievers are being resurrected to be humiliated by judgment before being killed a second time, why not simply allow them to remain dead?

Of course, God is love, and He is raising the nonbelievers for a reason! One event prophesied to occur before the end of time is that the gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world:

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Billions or trillions of people have died never having the opportunity to accept Jesus as their Savior. These nonbelievers are raised again as mortals during the second resurrection and given that opportunity! The majority of all people who have ever lived have never, ever, heard the true message of the Holy Scriptures, even in the United States, as the scriptures have been very successfully sealed until the end of time! At this time of the end these people will hear the true message for the first time from angels, including Christians born again as spirits in the first resurrection, with Satan and all of his myths and lies totally defeated. Most people have never been given a choice based on Biblical truth! Their choice was based on myths and fear.

Those times will be over!

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Upon hearing the good news that Jesus will offer them His inheritance of everlasting life, many should believe in Jesus and their names will be written in the Book of life.

That is why the Book of Life is checked again after the judgment, to see if any new names had been added.

Worry not about the billions of humans who have not even heard the name of Jesus.

God will care for them as datailed above.

[myth-one.com]

Man was created for a reason and purpose.

Yes I know, to populate this our planet earth and live on it forever.

Mankind was given dominion over the earth for 6,000 years -- not forever.

After that time, Jesus will return, believers will be born again as spirits and rule the earth forever with Jesus as their leader.

They are no longer "men" after being born again of the Spirit. So humans do not rule the earth forever. Former humans, who are then angelic spirits rule the world forever under the leadership of their Lord.

Nonbeliever humans will quickly suffer the second death.

Man is on earth to learn that God's ways are the best way to rule the earth. We learn that by trying our way and failing.

One of the world's wisest men after a lifetime of seeking treasure, women, and whatever appeared to bring him pleasure; reached this final conclusion of the whole matter of life:

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

When the last human is born of the Spirit or cast into the lake of fire, the age of man is over as their are no more men.

Believers will have been born again of the Spirit, as immortal spiritual beings equal unto the angels.

We will replace the angels who abandoned their first estate (the earth) and rebelled against God.

So the eventual purpose of man is to replace the angels who failed to replenish and maintain the earth.

[JehovahsWitness]

Man was created for a reason and purpose.

Yes I know, to populate this our planet earth and live on it forever.

Mankind was given dominion over the earth for 6,000 years -- not forever.

Where do you get this idea from?






JW

[FaithWillDo]

Then four weeks ago, my journey to the Lord took a sudden and giant step! I saw a picture on foxnews.com of a young Muslim boy (age 12) who had just lived through the recent Pakistan earthquake. For some reason, my heart for this boy was really going out to him. I have rarely ever felt this way before by a news story. That evening in prayer at home, the image of the boy came back to me and I grieved for him as I prayed. I was not grieving for him because of the earthquake but because I thought that he was going to be eternally lost and that he really doesn't have a realistic chance of being saved. I couldn't understand why I had been blessed with the opportunity to know the Lord and why he has virtually no opportunity since he lives in a Muslim country. I asked the Lord why this was the case. I was so confused and couldn't understand why he was most likely going to hell just because of where he had been born.

The following is what will be the fate of that 12 year old Muslim boy and all mankind, believers and nonbelievers:

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.

All mankind are like the first man Adam in that all die. Likewise, every human (believer or nonbeliever) who ever died shall be resurrected or made alive again. Jesus was the first to be resurrected:

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

The resurrection which we presently await is the one at which "they that are Christ's" will be resurrected. "They that are Christ's" refers to Christians. This resurrection for all deceased Christians occurs at the Second Coming of Jesus to the earth, or "at his coming." Christians who are alive on the earth when Jesus returns will be born again as spirits and meet Jesus and the resurrected Christians in the air:

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

At this point after the first resurrection, all Christians (dead or alive) have been born again as spiritual beings. They will then enjoy the millennium with Jesus:

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

After the millennium, all dead nonbelievers are resurrected from their graves and face judgment:

But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.

The “rest of the dead” are all nonbelievers as all deceased and living believers were born again as spiritual beings at the Second Coming. If the Muslim boy died as a nonbeliever in Jesus, he will be resurrected as a human at this second resurrection.

All nonbelievers (those resurrected as humans after the thousand years and all living at that time) will then face the great white throne judgment:

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

After the judgment of nonbelievers, whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Be aware that absolutely none of those nonbelievers resurrected at the second resurrection or living at that time had their names written in the book of life prior to their judgment! Every single human, dead or alive, with their names written in the book of life (believers) were born again into everlasting spiritual life at the first resurrection! So why are they checking the book again? Something obviously occurred since these nonbelievers were resurrected to cause the book of life to be modified. Otherwise, there would be no reason to check the book again for their names. What happened?

Nonbelievers resurrected to mortal life at the second resurrection will make their choice after understanding what the two possible choices are. If they were not given a choice on earth prior to their death, they will be given their choice after their resurrection as mortal humans in the second resurrection.

From the New International Version of The Holy Bible:

For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

Their choice will be based on being preached the true gospel message for the first time. It will be preached at this time in the entire world, before the end of the age of man can occur:

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Recall that all dead and living Christians were born again as spiritual bodied beings at the Second Coming. And there is no reason to believe that anyone will become a believer during the thousand year millennium, as they have no preachers:

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

All whose names were written in the Book of Life as believers were born again at the Second Coming. So the Book of life had been cleared. All inheritors had received their rewards. After the Millennium, the second resurrection for mankind occurs:

But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.

Everyone raised in this second resurrection will face the great white throne judgment as all have sinned and are all headed for the second death.

The judgment will hold them responsible for their behavior as humans and some may see that God's plan for them was better than their way of life.

Satan is locked away during this time, the scriptures are unsealed, and these nonbelievers are explained the true good news of the scriptures.

Following this process, the Book of Life is checked again.

The only possible reason to check the book again after the judgment, is to see if any names were written into the book during the great white throne judgment.

Would God raise these people again as physical bodies only to humiliate them during their judgment before casting them into the lake of fire? Why bother raising them from the dead only to inflict another painful physical death upon them? This flies in the face of "God is love." If the nonbelievers are being resurrected to be humiliated by judgment before being killed a second time, why not simply allow them to remain dead?

Of course, God is love, and He is raising the nonbelievers for a reason! One event prophesied to occur before the end of time is that the gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world:

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Billions or trillions of people have died never having the opportunity to accept Jesus as their Savior. These nonbelievers are raised again as mortals during the second resurrection and given that opportunity! The majority of all people who have ever lived have never, ever, heard the true message of the Holy Scriptures, even in the United States, as the scriptures have been very successfully sealed until the end of time! At this time of the end these people will hear the true message for the first time from angels, including Christians born again as spirits in the first resurrection, with Satan and all of his myths and lies totally defeated. Most people have never been given a choice based on Biblical truth! Their choice was based on myths and fear.

Those times will be over!

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Upon hearing the good news that Jesus will offer them His inheritance of everlasting life, many should believe in Jesus and their names will be written in the Book of life.

That is why the Book of Life is checked again after the judgment, to see if any new names had been added.

Worry not about the billions of humans who have not even heard the name of Jesus.

God will care for them as datailed above.

Dear myth-one,
Your understanding of scripture is not accurate. You are still seeing Jesus in the flesh, in other words, your understanding is carnal and is "of this world". The Word of God is spiritual and is written in Christ's spiritual language which utilizes Hebrew and Greek. If you try to understand God's Word as being literal, you will create many un-truths and contradictions.

The New Covenant is "spiritual" and the events of our salvation happen "within" each individual as they travel the pathway to salvation. When you read the teachings of Christ, you must apply those teachings in that manner. To be saved, Christ must come to a person and give them the Early Rain of the Spirit. This happens "within" the individual and the event can't be seen with human eyes. This is known as being "called out from the world". But this is only a "calling" and is not the confirmation as Paul refers to it. To be confirmed, the new believer must wait for the Lord to appear a second time. This is the second coming of Christ taught in scripture. This event also happens "within" the individual. The world cannot witness it. It is also called the Latter Rain or the baptism of the Spirit. Only individuals who have been "chosen from the foundation of the world" will receive this second visitation by Christ before they physically die in this age. They are the First Fruits/Heirs/saints/overcomers/Elect etc.

Scripture says "many are called, but few are chosen". The chosen dwell with the "called" in the churches of the world prior to Christ coming to them a second time. But once they are converted and have their spiritual blindness healed, they will no longer associate with those who they used to call brothers. This happens because the "man of sin" is revealed to them at the time of their conversion and they see that the man of sin was who they used to be. The man of sin is a fallen away, deceived by Satan spiritual condition. All Early Rain believers devolve into this state because of Satan's deceptions (spirit of anti-Christ). The man of sin is not a literal single man who appears at the end of this literal age. The man of sin does appear at the end of the age for the individual though when they are converted. This is the time when the man of sin/child of the Devil dies and a new child of God is born.

The book of Revelation teaches the pathway of salvation that the Elect must travel to be saved. It is the same pathway Paul "typed" with His calling and subsequent conversion as he traveled to and stayed in Damascus. It is the same pathway all the parables which start off with the phrase "the Kingdom of Heaven is like" teach and is the same pathway taught in Matthew chapter 24 along with all the other "endtime" prophecy teachings.

There is no literal 1000 years reign of Christ over this physical world. The "1000 years reign" is a spiritual symbol and it occurs "within" each person as they travel the pathway of salvation. After the last of the chosen Elect believers complete their pathway in this age, this age will come to an end and the resurrection of the dead will occur. From there, the final age begins (the Lake of Fire age), where the remaining portion of mankind will be judged and ultimately saved at the end of that age. Then Christ will deliver up the Kingdom of Heaven to the Father and God will be "all in all". All mankind will be made into children of God just as it was planned by God from the beginning.

Mankind was made "subject to vanity (sin) without our permission and Christ will likewise make us all into children of God without our permission. But He does not force us. He changes us from "within" by giving us spiritual gifts. Once we have these gifts, we will be converted and will truly and willingly accept Christ as Lord and will love Him & the Father with all our heart, mind and soul.

I will be traveling for the next day or so and can't properly respond to your specific comments at this time. When I return, I will take another look at them and respond with scripture to some of your main points.

Joe

[myth-one.com]

Man was created for a reason and purpose.

Yes I know, to populate this our planet earth and live on it forever.

Mankind was given dominion over the earth for 6,000 years -- not forever.

Where do you get this idea from?

JW

The Holy Bible!

[myth-one.com]

[Replying to FaithWillDo in post #2077]

Have a good trip,

Your only response to my claims (as supported by the scriptures) is that I do not understand the scriptures because they are written in spiritual language.

But Jesus states that people cannot understand things of the heavenly, spiritual world:

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

And in regards to the scriptures, God states:

And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.

But you claim to understand the spiritual world.

To me, God and Jesus seem better informed.

I'll have to agree with them.

[JehovahsWitness]

Man was created for a reason and purpose.

Yes I know, to populate this our planet earth and live on it forever.

Mankind was given dominion over the earth for 6,000 years -- not forever.

Where do you get this idea from?

JW

The Holy Bible!

Do you have a reference?




JW