Paradise on Earth

onewithhim · Post by **onewithhim** » Fri Nov 18, 2016 12:25 am

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

tam · Post by **tam** » Wed Aug 30, 2017 9:40 pm

onewithhim wrote: [Replying to post 809 by tam]

You apparently indicated that we must go with "what the text STATES" in your post #802, on page 81.

Apparently and indicated. Two words that are often used when something might not be true.

'You indicated' is not the same thing as 'you said'. Thank you for pointing out what you were talking about.

My words from post 802 are:

Believing that it is merely the 'influence' of the Bride that comes down out of heaven - and not the Bride, herself - is not what the text states.

Is this an inaccurate statement?

It is merely an interpretation of your religion, based on the false teaching that Christians are separated into two different hopes (some will be with their Lord literally and some will forever be separated from him, literally).
I understand that you will disagree with this statement, but it IS an insertion to state that it is "the influence" of the Bride, and not the Bride herself, that comes down out of heaven from God. It is not in the text. Yes?

But the text states (at least twice) that the Holy City (the Bride) comes down out of heaven.
Is this an inaccurate statement?

**

I never said that a person HAS to go with what the text (literally) states; but I did say that the explanation of this text by your religion is an interpretation of men. To insert something that is not written is to add to the text; to insert a meaning other than what is written in the text, is to "interpret".

Since Christ never taught two separate hopes for two 'kinds' of Christians - indeed He taught only one hope for His sheep - how can this interpretation be anything other than the interpretation of men?

Peace again to you,
- a slave of Christ,
tammy

onewithhim · Post by **onewithhim** » Thu Aug 31, 2017 11:37 pm

tam wrote:
onewithhim wrote: [Replying to post 809 by tam]

You apparently indicated that we must go with "what the text STATES" in your post #802, on page 81.

Apparently and indicated. Two words that are often used when something might not be true.

'You indicated' is not the same thing as 'you said'. Thank you for pointing out what you were talking about.

My words from post 802 are:

Believing that it is merely the 'influence' of the Bride that comes down out of heaven - and not the Bride, herself - is not what the text states.

Is this an inaccurate statement?

It is merely an interpretation of your religion, based on the false teaching that Christians are separated into two different hopes (some will be with their Lord literally and some will forever be separated from him, literally).
I understand that you will disagree with this statement, but it IS an insertion to state that it is "the influence" of the Bride, and not the Bride herself, that comes down out of heaven from God. It is not in the text. Yes?

But the text states (at least twice) that the Holy City (the Bride) comes down out of heaven.
Is this an inaccurate statement?

**

I never said that a person HAS to go with what the text (literally) states; but I did say that the explanation of this text by your religion is an interpretation of men. To insert something that is not written is to add to the text; to insert a meaning other than what is written in the text, is to "interpret".

Since Christ never taught two separate hopes for two 'kinds' of Christians - indeed He taught only one hope for His sheep - how can this interpretation be anything other than the interpretation of men?

Peace again to you,
- a slave of Christ,
tammy
My sweet son Joshua, an elder in the Manchester, CT, congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, said to me the other day, "Mom, we're looking for humble people that are searching for the truth. If someone is satisfied with what they have been taught, just politely bid them farewell and go on to other people." I've been thinking about that. That's some good advice. I have shown you long ago how we know that Jesus spoke of two groups of Christians with different hopes, but you rejected my explanations. I have also reasoned with you concerning the fact that the New Jerusalem remains in heaven but still governs people on Earth beautifully from that vantage point. You reject it all, as is your prerogative. So, I wish you peace and joy in these exciting last days, as I say fare well.

onewithhim · Post by **onewithhim** » Sat Sep 09, 2017 2:15 pm

What peace and hope we have when relying on Jehovah's Word, the Bible. Even though the world is beset with terrible problems, we know that they will not last forever. Satan's challenge to Jehovah that no one would love Him if they had to undergo suffering has been proven false, and all the signs of Jesus' coming back have been present for years. Any moment could be the end of this system of things. We are just waiting for the destruction of false religion---"Babylon the Great." It will be "burned up"---non-existent---and only Jehovah's unadulterated worship will be left. No more pedophile priests, no more bleeding the flocks dry of their money, no more lies about hell-fire and the polytheistic Trinity. And paradise on Earth!

When Jesus took his throne to rule in 1914, he threw Satan out of heaven.

"So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him." (Rev.12:9) This is associated with Jesus taking his authority over as King, as we can see in the very next verse.

Then in verse 12 it says: "On this account be glad, you heavens and you who reside in them! Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time."

Yes, his time is REAL short now, and Satan is cruelly pulling out all the stops to make mankind miserable. If we can just hold on a little while longer! Then we will experience what Revelation 21:4 says:

"He [God] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."

JehovahsWitness · Post by **JehovahsWitness** » Sat Sep 23, 2017 5:02 pm

[Replying to post 813 by onewithhim]

Indeed this explains it well. I believe we are very near to the end and as difficult as the tribulation will be, there is the blessed hope of a paradise just beyond. There is so much to look forward to...

Checkpoint · Post by **Checkpoint** » Sat Sep 23, 2017 6:14 pm

[Replying to post 813 by onewithhim]

If we can just hold on a little while longer! Then we will experience what Revelation 21:4 says:

"He [God] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."

Yes, but "the former things" include whatever is described in chapter 20.

That is, those later
things will not happen until after the millennium, not as part of it or during it.

JehovahsWitness · Post by **JehovahsWitness** » Sun Sep 24, 2017 1:24 am

[Replying to post 813 by onewithhim]

I forgot to mention how I am particularly looking forward to an end to wickedness, corruption and oppression.
I think that Jesus removing such things will be an immediate cause of relief.

McCulloch · Post by **McCulloch** » Wed Sep 27, 2017 11:38 am

JehovahsWitness wrote: [Replying to post 813 by onewithhim]

I forgot to mention how I am particularly looking forward to an end to wickedness, corruption and oppression.
I think that Jesus removing such things will be an immediate cause of relief.

So what is he waiting for?

JehovahsWitness · Post by **JehovahsWitness** » Thu Sep 28, 2017 5:04 pm

onewithhim wrote:
Yes, his time is REAL short now, and Satan is cruelly pulling out all the stops to make mankind miserable. If we can just hold on a little while longer! Then we will experience what Revelation 21:4 says:

"He [God] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."

Yes, we must keep this in mind; these last days are so hard for us all. What a beautiful promise we have. Paradise will be worth it!

onewithhim · Post by **onewithhim** » Mon Oct 02, 2017 3:55 pm

JehovahsWitness wrote: [Replying to post 813 by onewithhim]

Indeed this explains it well. I believe we are very near to the end and as difficult as the tribulation will be, there is the blessed hope of a paradise just beyond. There is so much to look forward to...

Yes! It's sad that so many people do not realize that most of mankind will actually go through the Great Tribulation---including believers---and come out of it into the new world. In response to John's question as to who the people were in verse 9, the angel says, "These are the ones that come out of the Great Tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." (Rev.7:14) To come out of something you obviously have to have been IN it.

There is nothing to fear. As you say, it will be hard, but not like what evil people will experience...those who do not care about God or other people. And it certainly won't last for 7 years!! That is absurd. People should question where that teaching came from.

Jehovah has prepared a wonderful life for us, if we will just remain loyal to Him. He doesn't ask much from us at all, and everything He does ask is for our benefit and will cause us to be genuinely happy.

onewithhim · Post by **onewithhim** » Mon Oct 02, 2017 4:01 pm

JehovahsWitness wrote:
onewithhim wrote:
Yes, his time is REAL short now, and Satan is cruelly pulling out all the stops to make mankind miserable. If we can just hold on a little while longer! Then we will experience what Revelation 21:4 says:

"He [God] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."

Yes, we must keep this in mind; these last days are so hard for us all. What a beautiful promise we have. Paradise will be worth it!

Indeed! The world has a distorted view of just what Armageddon means. They see only destruction. It is actually the beginning of a world with no suffering and pain. All of the things that make people sad and miserable will be eradicated. How can this be unpalatable for some people?