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

[RightReason]

[Replying to post 579 by onewithhim]

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)

Yes, no kidding. Nothing I have said suggests otherwise.

You are making it difficult to tell others about the Good News of the Kingdom.

I think many of us non JW’s are willing and eager to hear and proclaim the Good News. So much so, we feel compelled to point out heresy when we hear it. I can respect your zeal (even if I do not agree with your conclusions). I hope you can respect mine as well.

[JehovahsWitness]

"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,

So basically you are saying Jesus meant "blessed are the meek for they shall inherit... Israel" is that about right? That sums up Jesus' Messianic message. He says "the earth" meaning a portion of the earth?

Yes or No?

If yes

[Replying to post 579 by onewithhim]

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)

... Nothing I have said suggests otherwise.

... then you have indeed suggested that Messianic promises are local. So tell me again why do you insist on such a narrow interpretation?


If no ... and you are saying Jesus was not refering to a portion but the ENTIRE earth, then you are supporting that which you have been opposing.

So which is it? a portion of the earth or all the earth (planet)?

[JehovahsWitness]

Again, the whole phrase represents God will bless those who trust and believe in His ways.

That's not what is being questioned, the question is bless them with what. You propose bless them with a portion of land in the Middle East a portion of the earth, my point is this is contrary to the Messianic promises which are global, universal.

How do you explain the apparent disaccord?

[JehovahsWitness]

[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.

Is that a yes or a no because I cannot make out either from your comment.

[Mountainmanbob]

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


Well we can live forever on the New Earth.

For as we know this one is tarnished by sin and will be destroyed.

M-Bob

[RightReason]

[Replying to post 582 by JehovahsWitness]

RightReason wrote:

"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,


So basically you are saying Jesus meant "blessed are the meek for they shall inherit... Israel" is that about right? That sums up Jesus' Messianic message. He says "the earth" meaning a portion of the earth?

Yes or No?

No. Did you read what I actually posted? My point was these words were spoken to the Israelites in words and imagery they would be able to understand. That they would inherit land, which to them was the ultimate reward -- for it meant freedom. And we today can understand the verse to mean the meek shall inherit the ultimate reward – God’s promise to us – to be with Him in heaven!

If no ... and you are saying Jesus was not refering to a portion but the ENTIRE earth, then you are supporting that which you have been opposing.

Jesus was not referring to simply a piece of land be it local or global. He was referring to the whole kit and caboodle – the ultimate prize – heaven!


_________________

RightReason wrote:

Again, the whole phrase represents God will bless those who trust and believe in His ways.


That's not what is being questioned, the question is bless them with what.

Yes, what? The whole sha-bang! Union with Him! Heaven!

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


Well we can live forever on the New Earth.

Yep. New Earth. Jesus is referred to as the new Adam. Mary is referred to as the new Eve. This does not mean Jesus was Adam or Mary is Eve. Those terms have also meant to refer to ‘types’. Just like New earth refers to an image.

What we can know is there will be a New Earth. What we can expect to experience involves a new dwelling place that unites us with Christ -- body and soul. In this new place we will be with our Lord and we will also have our bodies restored. That’s what heaven will be.

This isn’t a bad explanation. . .

[onewithhim]

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


Well we can live forever on the New Earth.

For as we know this one is tarnished by sin and will be destroyed.

M-Bob

No, MMBob. This earth is not tarnished with sin. It has done nothing to rebel against God like Adam did. This earth means something to God, to the extent that He will "bring to ruin those that are ruining the earth," and He will do this before the planet is entirely messed up. (Revelation 11:18) Why would He care if anyone is destroying the earth if He is going to do it anyway? Think!!

The "new earth" is simply a new society of people who will listen to their Creator and live in true peace with other people and even the animals. The "new heavens" means a new system of government.

Now, why would God destroy the LITERAL heavens?? Does that make a lick of sense? 2 Peter 3:12,13 should be re-visited and given more thought. Would you mind commenting on the meaning of 2 Peter 3:5-7? (Notice that the "earth" that existed in Noah's day "suffered destruction" when the Flood came. But was it the actual planet that was destroyed? Obviously not.)

.

[Mountainmanbob]

Question: "What does it mean that heaven and earth will pass away?"

Answer: The Bible consistently warns us that this world will not last forever. “Heaven and earth will pass away,� Jesus said in Matthew 24:35. His statement was in the context of end times’ prophecies and the eternal nature of Jesus’ words: “My words will never pass away.� This means that trusting Jesus is wiser than trusting anything in this world.

Jesus also refers to the passing away of heaven and earth in Matthew 5:18. In Revelation 21:1, John writes of a new heaven and a new earth in the eternal state, having seen that “the first heaven and the first earth had passed away� (cf. Isaiah 65:17 and 2 Peter 3:13). To “pass away� is to disappear or be no more. This refers to the physical heaven and earth—the material world and all it contains—but not to the spirits/souls of the inhabitants of those places. Scripture is clear that people will outlast the current material universe, some in a state of eternal bliss and some in a state of eternal misery, and that the current universe will be replaced by another that will never know the contamination of sin.

The method of this world’s destruction is revealed in 2 Peter 3:11–12: “The day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire. . . . That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.� In Noah’s day, the world was destroyed with water, but God promised to send no more global floods (Genesis 9:11). In the Day of the Lord, the universe will be destroyed by fire.

The prophet Isaiah foretold the passing away of heaven and earth, too. “All the stars in the sky will be dissolved and the heavens rolled up like a scroll; all the starry host will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like shriveled figs from the fig tree� (Isaiah 34:4). The Lord assures His people that, even as the heaven and earth are passing away, His salvation is secure: “The heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail� (Isaiah 51:6).

Knowing that heaven and earth will pass away gives us perspective in life. This world is not our home. “We are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells� (2 Peter 3:13). Jesus tells us to have the proper priorities: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth. . . . But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven� (Matthew 6:19–20). And Peter, after reminding us of the temporary nature of this world, says, “Dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him� (2 Peter 3:14).

Gotquestions.org

[RightReason]

[Replying to onewithhim]

Why would He care if anyone is destroying the earth if He is going to do it anyway? Think!!

If I gave my child a gift of say something that was beautiful but I didn’t really need, I would still be very disappointed if my child destroyed the gift. Why? It isn’t like I don’t have the money or means to replace the gift if I wanted and it isn’t that I really needed or wanted what I gave him for myself. But I would not be happy if my child mistreated, ruined or purposely destroyed something that I gave him.

The "new earth" is simply a new society of people who will listen to their Creator and live in true peace with other people and even the animals. The "new heavens" means a new system of government.

I think I just threw up in my mouth a little. A new government? Yikes! Can’t we think bigger? Why would a perfect planet with perfect human beings need a government? Will perfect human beings J-walk? As Jesus said, “My Kingdom is not of this world.�

Now, why would God destroy the LITERAL heavens??

Sometimes you need to break down to build up. God plans to unite heaven and earth.


God's triumph over the revolt of evil will take the form of the last judgment after the final cosmic upheaval of this passing world" (No. 667). Our Lord will come suddenly. "The Son of Man in His day will be like the lightening that flashes from one end of the sky to the other" (Lk 17:24). St. Peter predicts, "The day of the Lord will come like a thief and on that day the heavens will vanish with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire and the earth and all its deeds will be made manifest" (2 Pt 3:10).

https://www.ewtn.com/faith/teachings/judga2.htm

[onewithhim]

Question: "What does it mean that heaven and earth will pass away?"

Answer: The Bible consistently warns us that this world will not last forever. “Heaven and earth will pass away,� Jesus said in Matthew 24:35. His statement was in the context of end times’ prophecies and the eternal nature of Jesus’ words: “My words will never pass away.� This means that trusting Jesus is wiser than trusting anything in this world.

Jesus also refers to the passing away of heaven and earth in Matthew 5:18. In Revelation 21:1, John writes of a new heaven and a new earth in the eternal state, having seen that “the first heaven and the first earth had passed away� (cf. Isaiah 65:17 and 2 Peter 3:13). To “pass away� is to disappear or be no more. This refers to the physical heaven and earth—the material world and all it contains—but not to the spirits/souls of the inhabitants of those places. Scripture is clear that people will outlast the current material universe, some in a state of eternal bliss and some in a state of eternal misery, and that the current universe will be replaced by another that will never know the contamination of sin.

The method of this world’s destruction is revealed in 2 Peter 3:11–12: “The day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire. . . . That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.� In Noah’s day, the world was destroyed with water, but God promised to send no more global floods (Genesis 9:11). In the Day of the Lord, the universe will be destroyed by fire.

The prophet Isaiah foretold the passing away of heaven and earth, too. “All the stars in the sky will be dissolved and the heavens rolled up like a scroll; all the starry host will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like shriveled figs from the fig tree� (Isaiah 34:4). The Lord assures His people that, even as the heaven and earth are passing away, His salvation is secure: “The heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail� (Isaiah 51:6).

Knowing that heaven and earth will pass away gives us perspective in life. This world is not our home. “We are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells� (2 Peter 3:13). Jesus tells us to have the proper priorities: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth. . . . But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven� (Matthew 6:19–20). And Peter, after reminding us of the temporary nature of this world, says, “Dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him� (2 Peter 3:14).

Gotquestions.org

No, it does not refer to the PHYSICAL Earth. All that refers to the wicked society of people on the earth, and the evil "heavens," or, systems of government by men.

To think that this planet and the literal heavens will pass away leads to nothing but delusion and hopelessness. This world IS our home. God created us to live on it and the only reason Adam isn't still here is that he rebelled against God.

When the world was destroyed in Noah's day, was the PLANET destroyed? Obviously not. It means something else. The planet was NOT destroyed. What WAS destroyed? Look at 2 Peter 3:7. The destruction will be of THE UNGODLY MEN. The "fire" mentioned is more symbolism, which the Scriptures use quite a bit. Fire can mean a cleansing, as well as complete destruction. The literal earth will be cleaned up, but "the ungodly men" will be the things that are destroyed.


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