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It seems like the Bible implies the "Kingdom of God" is actually a perfected Earth in the distant future where our bodies will be re-made, rather than some other dimension we go to after we die. Why did this concept change?
It seems like the Bible implies the "Kingdom of God" is actually a perfected Earth in the distant future where our bodies will be re-made, rather than some other dimension we go to after we die. Why did this concept change?
What the Bible teaches is that when Jesus returns at the end of the Tribulation He will establish His Millennial kingdom on the earth. At the end of the thousand years, the present heavens and earth will be destroyed and a new heaven and earth will be created (2 Pet. 3:10;Rev.21:1). But at the present time, ever since Jesus was resurrected and ascended into heaven, believers in Jesus Christ do go to heaven when they die (2 Cor. 5:8-9; Phil 1:21-26). And all Old Testament believers who were in the paradise side of Sheol/Hades were transferred to heaven when Jesus ascended. When Christ returns, all church-age believers who will have been resurrected at the rapture of the Church prior to the beginning of the Tribulation (1 Thess. 4:13-18; 5:1-10 compared with 2 Thess. 2:1-8) will return with Jesus at the end of the Tribulation (Rev. 19:14). And all Old Testament believers and all Tribulational believers will be resurrected when Christ returns (Rev. 20:4).
Of course, there are those who will argue against one or more of the things mentioned above, but the Bible does teach those things. Some people don't believe that the believer goes to heaven. Some don't believe the Church will be raptured while others believe there will be a rapture but that it will be after the Tribulation instead of before. And unfortunately, many or most denominations do not believe that there will be a literal Millennial kingdom - the denial of a literal kingdom on the earth came about when the allegorical method of interpreting the Bible became popular instead of properly interpreting the Bible literally while recognizing that the Bible does contain allegory and symbolic language. But the Millennial kingdom is spoken of quite literally.
It seems like the Bible implies the "Kingdom of God" is actually a perfected Earth in the distant future where our bodies will be re-made, rather than some other dimension we go to after we die. Why did this concept change?
Dear spicy,
The kingdom of God plays out after the "end of the age", whereas "the Lord will be king over all the earth" (Ze 14:9). At that time, after the land from Geba to Rimmon has been changed into a plain (Ze 14:10), those who have died because of the testimony of Yeshua, and do not have the mark of the beast, will be raised and reign with Christ for a thousand years. (Rev 20:4). The rest will remain in their graves until the 2nd resurrection were everyone will be judged according to their deeds. One does not reign with Christ in the millennium unless they have entered the kingdom of heaven during their lifetime. The kingdom of heaven is within, and is not some series of stepped heavens which comes from Hindu teachings, the Koran, and the teachings of the self professed apostle Paul.
The present ruler of the world is represented by the eighth head of the beast with 7 heads, whose authority comes from the "dragon", (Rev 13:4 & Rev 17:7-12) and who supports the woman, who is the mother of harlots and the abominations of the earth.
Rev 17:11, and the beast which was and is not, is himself also an eighth, and is one of the seven".
It seems like the Bible implies the "Kingdom of God" is actually a perfected Earth in the distant future where our bodies will be re-made, rather than some other dimension we go to after we die. Why did this concept change?
It hasn't changed. The concept of an earthly Kingdom has always been right there in the Scriptues for anyone to read.
The kingdom of God, does not come with observation: "Look here, or there!"
But, it is here, now, and among us. Although, not fully comprehended by most.
"Elevate your vision, sharing the love of God; and you will see it's fulfillment."
It seems like the Bible implies the "Kingdom of God" is actually a perfected Earth in the distant future where our bodies will be re-made, rather than some other dimension we go to after we die. Why did this concept change?
Nothing new.
ASV Genesis 1:28 And God blessed them: and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
BBE Job 33:25 Then his flesh becomes young again, and he comes back to the days of his early strength;
KJV Psalm 37:29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
NIV Matthew 6:10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
KJV Revelation 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
The kingdom of God, does not come with observation: "Look here, or there!" But, it is here, now, and among us. Although, not fully comprehended by most.
"Elevate your vision, sharing the love of God; and you will see it's fulfillment."
Dear Jerwade,
The kingdom of God is observable (Ze 14:8-10). It is the kingdom of heaven which is at hand (Mt 4:17), and which is within, but which also has observable signs. It is the son of man who appears as the lightning, when most are not ready (Mt 24:27). I think your sharing of the love of God, may or may not be the same as God had in mind. (James 2:15-16)
The kingdom of God, does not come with observation: "Look here, or there!"
But, it is here, now, and among us. Although, not fully comprehended by most.
"Elevate your vision, sharing the love of God; and you will see it's fulfillment."
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2ndpillar
Dear Jerwade,
The kingdom of God is observable (Ze 14:8-10). It is the kingdom of heaven which is at hand (Mt 4:17), and which is within, but which also has observable signs. It is the son of man who appears as the lightning, when most are not ready (Mt 24:27). I think your sharing of the love of God, may or may not be the same as God had in mind. (James 2:15-16)
James 2:15-16
If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them:
"Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body
What good or benefit is that?
"What is mine, is yours, if you have need of it."
There is always a bit of heaven in every kingdom, when the heart is right.
Last edited by Jerwade; 07-24-2014 at 09:48 PM..
Reason: Spelling error.
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