Lasting Peace and Happiness Just Ahead!
JESUS taught his disciples to pray: “Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified. Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth.” (Matthew 6:9, 10) We are to pray for God’s Kingdom to come. But what is God’s Kingdom? It is a heavenly government. Jehovah has appointed his beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be its King. What will this Kingdom do for us?
More than 2,500 years ago, God inspired his prophet Daniel to say: “In the days of those kings [the nations on earth] the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite.” (Daniel 2:44) This prophecy clearly points out that God’s Kingdom must first remove human rulership, which is causing all the divisions and sufferings on earth today, and then it will bring in a lasting, peaceful rule over all mankind.
When will all of this take place? Will we see it?
When Jesus was on earth, his disciples asked him: “Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” Jesus’ reply indicated that there would be global wars, food shortages, great earthquakes, and increasing lawlessness. Besides, false religious teachers would arise to mislead many, his true disciples would become objects of persecution and hatred, the love of the greater number would cool off, and the good news of God’s Kingdom would be preached in all the earth. (Matthew 24:3-14)
Have you seen such things occurring? Many observers have admitted that since the first world war broke out in 1914, mankind has entered a time of unprecedented turmoil. Philosopher Bertrand Russell wrote: “Ever since 1914, everybody conscious of trends in the world has been deeply troubled by what has seemed like a fated and predetermined march toward ever greater disaster.” Danish historian Peter Munch is reported as writing: “The outbreak of the war in 1914 is the great turning point of the history of humanity. . . . We entered an age of disaster, horror, and hatred, with insecurity everywhere.”
Besides wars, from 1914 onward, famine, pestilence, earthquakes, and violence have escalated to an unprecedented degree worldwide. Sadly, in spite of advanced science and technology, mankind is totally helpless when it comes to solving these difficult problems. All of this proves beyond any doubt that since 1914, the sign Jesus gave regarding the time of the end is right before our eyes. Jesus Christ has begun ruling in the invisible heavens. The world has entered its time of the end!
As all these events are taking place in our very time, all of us are faced with a life-and-death choice. What is that choice? In talking about the end of this system of things, Jesus indicated that he will divide the people of all the nations, as a shepherd divides the sheep from the goats. Only sheeplike ones—people who love righteousness and actively support God’s Kingdom—will survive the end of this wicked system of things and enjoy God’s blessings under his Kingdom forever.—Matthew 25:31, 33.
What blessings will God’s Kingdom bring for mankind? The things that the Kingdom will soon accomplish include:
(1) Wars, crime, and violence will be eliminated forever.—Psalm 46:8, 9; Isaiah 2:4.
(2) Equality and impartiality will exist for all; there will be no more racial, social, or other forms of discrimination.—Acts 10:35; Revelation 7:9, 10.
(3) There will be abundant food, adequate housing, and enjoyable work for everyone.—Psalm 72:16; Isaiah 25:6; 65:21, 22.
(4) Sickness, disability, old age, and death will be no more.—Isaiah 25:8; 35:5, 6; Revelation 21:4.
(5) The dead will be raised.—John 5:28, 29; Revelation 20:12.
(6) The earth will become a global paradise.—Luke 23:43; Psalm 98:7-9.
“This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ,” said Jesus. (John 17:3)
Originally posted by KingOnPointWill be back with you later today. Heading of to the dentist this morning.....Ouch!!
Aren't the unbelievers remaining after the 1,000 years of Jesus' reign finally judged for eternity?
Does the new earth come into existence after the last judgement of unbelievers?
On the new earth, won't there be only believers left?
Originally posted by KingOnPointMany will argue that the terms "new haven and new earth" are literal but they are not.
Aren't the unbelievers remaining after the 1,000 years of Jesus' reign finally judged for eternity?
Does the new earth come into existence after the last judgement of unbelievers?
On the new earth, won't there be only believers left?
Yes the Bible does say “There are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.”
2 Peter 3:13.
So what is the “new heavens”?
The Bible associates heaven with rulership. Acts 7:49
The “new heavens” is a new government that will rule over the earth. It is new because it will replace the present system of rule which is by man and controlleed by satan as the Bible says.
It is the Kingdom for which Jesus taught us to pray. Matthew 6:10
Since God is its Source and he dwells in heaven, it is called “the kingdom of the heavens.”—Matthew 7:21.
What is the “new earth”?
It is not a new globe, since the Bible clearly states that the earth will be inhabited forever. The “new earth” is a new human society. It will be new because the wicked will have been cut off. Proverbs 2:21, 22
The term new earth means that all wickedness will be removed and the failed rulership of man made goverments will never be allowed to exist again.
So there is nothing wrong with the planet earth itself, other then what man has done to harm it. But with God's direction it can be easily repaired.
And yes all that will be given the chance to live on this new earth will be ones who love their God and take care of the earth just as Adam & Eve should have done.
And the eternity thing you might be referring to is the humans that will be living on the earth after all wickedness is finally gone, will be able to live forever...but they are never given immortality just as Adam & Eve were not immortal. No scriptiure in the Bible says that one day man will be immortal.
But the bible does says the ones who go to heaven to rule as Kings and Judges with Jesus over humans on the earth, will be given immortality just as was given to Jesus once he returned to heaven after his death.
Originally posted by galveston75Original work:
Lasting Peace and Happiness Just Ahead!
JESUS taught his disciples to pray: “Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified. Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth.” (Matthew 6:9, 10) We are to pray for God’s Kingdom to come. But what is God’s Kingdom? It is a heavenly government. Jehovah has appointed ...[text shortened]... u, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ,” said Jesus. (John 17:3)
http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102009556
Originally posted by galveston75Source:
Many will argue that the terms "new haven and new earth" are literal but they are not.
Yes the Bible does say “There are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.”
2 Peter 3:13.
So what is the “new heavens”?
The Bible associates heaven with rulership. Acts 7:49
The “new ...[text shortened]... will be given immortality just as was given to Jesus once he returned to heaven after his death.
http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102004255
Originally posted by galveston75Being able to live forever = immortality look it up in the dictionary
Many will argue that the terms "new haven and new earth" are literal but they are not.
Yes the Bible does say “There are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.”
2 Peter 3:13.
So what is the “new heavens”?
The Bible associates heaven with rulership. Acts 7:49
The “new ...[text shortened]... will be given immortality just as was given to Jesus once he returned to heaven after his death.
Manny
im·mor·tal·i·ty [im-awr-tal-i-tee] Show IPA
noun
1.
immortal condition or quality; unending life.
2.
enduring fame.
Origin:
1300–50; Middle English immortalite < Latin immortālitās. See immortal, -ity
*********************************************************
immortal (ɪˈmɔːt ə l)
— adj
1. not subject to death or decay; having perpetual life
2. having everlasting fame; remembered throughout time
3. everlasting; perpetual; constant
4. of or relating to immortal beings or concepts
— n
5. an immortal being
6. ( often plural ) a person who is remembered enduringly, esp an author: Dante is one of the immortals
immor'tality
So do you see how silly that sounds ? Humans will not be immortal ? Oh but the good ones will live in the heavenly paradise forever ??
Manny
Originally posted by menace71no its not the same, immortality means that you cannot be destroyed and have life within yourself that is not the same as having the prospect of living forever, in fact its entirely different. Indeed if humans are not meant to live forever how will you explain
Being able to live forever = immortality look it up in the dictionary
Manny
Psalm 37: 29 The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.
Originally posted by robbie carrobieExactly. It's a good thing that angels don't have immortality. If they did we'd have satan around for eternity.
no its not the same, immortality means that you cannot be destroyed and have life within yourself that is not the same as having the prospect of living forever, in fact its entirely different. Indeed if humans are not meant to live forever how will you explain
Psalm 37: 29 The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.
This is why Jehovah has been very specific on who he gives this too. Not even Jesus had immortality until he was resurrected and proved his worthyness to have this gift. This in itself proves that he is not Almighty God or he would have had immortality just like his father.
The Gift of Immortality
Jehovah God is “from time indefinite to time indefinite.” He is immortal. (Psalm 90:2) The first person to whom Jehovah granted the gift of immortality was Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul explains: “Christ, now that he has been raised up from the dead, dies no more; death is master over him no more.” (Romans 6:9) Indeed, contrasting the resurrected Jesus with earthly rulers, Paul describes him as the only one among them having immortality. Jesus will remain “alive forever.” His life is “indestructible.”—Hebrews 7:15-17, 23-25; 1 Timothy 6:15, 16.
Jesus is not the only one to receive such a gift. Spirit-anointed Christians chosen to rule as kings in heavenly glory receive the same kind of resurrection that Jesus did. (Romans 6:5) The apostle John shows that this privilege is granted to 144,000 individuals. (Revelation 14:1) They too receive immortality. Regarding their resurrection, Paul says: “Flesh and blood cannot inherit God’s kingdom . . . The trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised up incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this which is corruptible must put on incorruption, and this which is mortal must put on immortality.” Death has no hold on those who receive such a resurrection.—1 Corinthians 15:50-53; Revelation 20:6.
This divine revelation is remarkable indeed. Despite their spirit nature, not even angels were created immortal. This is shown by the fact that those spirit creatures who joined Satan’s rebellion will be executed. (Matthew 25:41) Jesus’ corulers, on the other hand, receive the gift of immortality, which is proof of Jehovah’s unshakable confidence in their faithfulness.
1 Corinthians 15:54 NASB
But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory.
.Revelation 21:4 NASB
and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any deatthere will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."
Death will be no more so you guys are not understanding what God plans on doing
Originally posted by menace71Yes this scripture here is saying this but about whom? Human bodies are made of flesh and blood and they can always be perishable. We can always die or be put to death by God and that would also be the case once all wickedness is gone from the planet after armegedon and especially once satan is finally gone.
1 Corinthians 15:54 NASB
But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory.
.Revelation 21:4 NASB
and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be ...[text shortened]... passed away."
Death will be no more so you guys are not understanding what God plans on doing
But again think on the implications IF God granted humans on earth immortality? The end result of God causing armegeddon and clearing the earth of all wickedness and eventually sickness and sorrow as the bible says, is to get us back to the condition God had for Adam & Eve and to live on a paradisaic planet.
Adam & Eve did not have immortality and nothing in the Bible says they were ever going to be immortal.
So now once the ones who have survivied into that new world here on earth are finally there and will ""no longer die as we do today from our inherited sin from Adam, that death is gone forever. No one will ever get sick and eventually die from Adam's influance"".
But.......just as Adam did decided to not obey his Father Jehovah's simple command about the tree, there could still be someone in the distant future that may deside to turn against Jehovah. All humans will still be as Adam was and still be a free moral agent or being.
So what if this were to happen again and that some person turned bad...but they were immortal?
Clues again are in the Bible about who is given this immortality and all who have this are only in the heavens. No one one earth is described anywhere in the Bible as being immortal ever.
And again the question is why was Jesus not already immortal here on earth? There are a couple and the first obvious is he did have to die in the process of being that sacrifice for us.
The second is he was still a human and even though he was a perfect one, he was still flesh just as Adam was.
Jesus never sinned as all the other humans around him did. But Jesus like Adam could have chosen to sin. This is why Jesus was "tested" so heavly by satan and even by his terrible death. Jesus could have faultered on his own and given in and even saved his own life by the angels he could have summond.
So this is the reason at the point not even Jesus was immortal and was not given immortality until he left all fleash behind and returned to his Father as a spirit.
This is why I get frustrated with you guys !! God is going to eventually grant immortality to His people and is a very clear teaching. Not yet but soon. Technically speaking God could still kill or destroy immortal beings as He is the only one who could do this. However He wants to live and dwell with His people.
Manny