Where will we as christians spend eternity? In heaven or on earth?

What was the hope that Jesus held out to his faithful disciples? Notice what he says in John 14:2,3 “In my Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.”

Jesus made it plain to his close disciples that they would be with him in heaven. In Luke 21:30 he tells them “so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. And you will sit on thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel.”

Clearly the hope Jesus gave his followers was the hope of being with him in his heavenly kingdom. In Matt 28:20 Jesus commands his disciples “teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you…” Did Jesus disciples teach new converts everything Jesus taught them, including the hope of being in heaven with Him?

There is overwhelming evidence that they did. Notice for example Phil. 3:20,21 “but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious body…”

1 Pet. 1:3,4 “Praise the God and Father…He has given us a new birth into a living hope…and into an inheritance that is imperishable un corrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.”

Heb 3:1 “Therefore, holy brothers and companions in a heavenly calling…”

Rev 3:12 “The victor; I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of My God, and he will never go out again. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God- the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven…”

This is a small sample of the many times the hope of heaven for christians is talked about. Notice how Eph 4:4 talks about this one hope of heaven “There is one body and one spirit- just as you were called to one hope at your calling”

What exactly is the one hope Paul was talking about? Compare Col. 1:5 “because of the hope reserved for you in heaven. You have already heard about this hope in the message of truth, the gospel”

What was the one hope referred to in Eph 4:4 and the hope of the gospel (good news)? It is the heavenly hope. Jesus nor the first century bible writers ever held out any other hope than the heavenly one. Did Jesus or the apostles ever preach of everlasting life for christians on the earth? No; then when did this hope begin to be preached for christians? It was an invention of the 20th century. During the 1930s the theory that most christians would live forever on earth began to be advanced. Why is this matter so serious? The gospel (good news) that Jesus and his followers preached was the hope of living with Jesus in heaven as shown earlier. Now let’s read Gal. 1:8,9 “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than what we have preached to you, a curse be on him! As we have said before, I now say again: If anyone preaches to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him!”

The gospel that Jesus and the apostles preached is considerably different from the one Jehovah’s Witnesses preach. For one the hope is different. Jesus and the apostles preached all followers of Christ are sons of God. The JWs preach only a few thousand are. Jesus and the apostles preached that Jesus is mediator for all christians. The JWs preach he is mediator for only a few thousand (Watchtower 4/1/1979 pg. 31) Jesus taught that all christians that put their faith in his sacrifice are declared righteous (justified). The JWs preach only a few thousand are declared righteous. The JWs preach that most of the Greek scriptures were directed to only a few thousand throughout history. Jesus taught all who want eternal life must partake at the memorial. JN 6:53,54 “… I assure you: Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life in yourselves. Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day”. Jesus also said “keep doing this in remembrance of me.” The JWs teach only a few thousand can obey this commandment.

Jesus never taught that there would be 2 groups of christians one heavenly and one earthly. Read the entire chapter of Rom. 8 very carefully. You will see that there are only 2 types of people. Those who are fleshly and don’t have the spirit nor God’s approval, and those in whom the spirit dwells and are God’s sons and cry out “Abba, Father”. Which one are we? If we don’t claim to be God’s sons or we don’t think the spirit dwells in us and we don’t have a heavenly hope, then by default we are fleshly, dead in God’s sight.

The society claims that the “other sheep” have all the responsibilities of a christian with the heavenly hope, but with none of the benefits. Take for instance 1 Cor. 6:9 “ What do you not know that unrighteous persons will not inherit God’s kingdom…” Only those who have a heavenly hope will inherit God’s kingdom, then why would those who don’t even claim to be in line to inherit the Kingdom be held to any kind of standard?  How can anything in the letters written in the Greek scriptures be applied to one who doesn’t even claim to be part of the congregation or in other words part of the bride of Christ?

But didn’t Jesus mention 2 groups of christians in JN 10:16 “But I have sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd.”?

To understand this scripture we must first know the context. To whom was Jesus speaking? JN 10:19 lets us know he was talking to Jews that were not necessarily his followers yet. They were the “lost sheep of Israel”. Many thousands of these later became christians. But who were the other sheep of chap. 10 vs 16?

Eph. 2 using very similar language let’s us know who the other sheep are. Here Paul is writing to Gentile christians, let’s begin reading in Eph 2:12 “At that time you were without the Messiah, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah. For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh he made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that he might create in himself one new man from the two,…” Also compare 1 Cor 12:13 and John 11:51,52.

It is so simple, the “other sheep” that Jesus spoke about were the Gentile christians. The 2 groups became one flock under one shepherd in the christian congregation. This is the understanding that most christians throughout history have had about the other sheep.

Are there any other possible texts in the Greek scriptures that could possibly be  interpreted to mean that there will be christians living forever on earth? How about Rev. 7: 9-17? Let us examine the many proofs that the Great Crowd is a heavenly group.

vs.9 says that this great crowd was “from every nation, tribe, people, and language…” This corresponds to Rev 5:9,10 – “…from every tribe and language and people and nation. You made them a kingdom and priest to our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

vs.9 locates this group as standing “before the throne” this phrase in Greek is “enopion tou tronou”. This phrase is only used in Revelation and it appears several times and almost always is clear it means in heaven. Note some examples Rev 7:11 “All the angels stood around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures, and they fell facedown before the throne and worshipped God,” also note Rev 14:3 that is talking about the 144000 “They sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders,…”. This location of the Great Crowd before the throne implies that they are in heaven. Notice another proof.

vs.9 also says “with palm branches in their hands” this reminds us of Jesus triumphal entrance into Jerusalem and the great crowd of disciples that proclaimed him King with palm branches (John 12:12,13). This is also an allusion to the festival of booths, and would make the great crowd spiritual israelites.

vs. 10 says “Salvation belongs to our God… Now compare that song of praise from the Great Crowd with Rev 19:1 “After this I heard something like the loud voice of a vast multitude (same greek words as great crowd of rev. 7:9) in heaven, saying Hallelujah! Salvation, glory, and power belong to our God,” This song is unlikely sung by angels because it attributes salvation to God, angels being perfect have no need of saving. The logical conclusion is the 2 great crowds are one and the same, thus placing again the Great Crowd in heaven.

vs. 13 of Rev. 7 says the Great Crowd is robed in white. Compare this with Rev. 6:11 talking about those with the heavenly hope it says “So a white robe was given to each of them…” Also compare Rev 22:14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city (New Jerusalem) by the gates.” The only ones who enter New Jerusalem are those who have the heavenly hope. This again shows that the Great Crowd has the heavenly hope.

vs 14 says they come out of the Great Tribulation, that would equate them with the “elect” or “chosen ones” of Matt. 24:31

vs.15 says “they serve him day and night in His sanctuary (Gr. word naos).” This word does not refer to the temple as a whole, that word is hieron. Naos, nao, or naon refers to only the holy and most holy of the temple. This word appears 15 times in Revelation and always means in heaven.

vs.17 says “and God will wipe out every tear from their eyes.” This is quoted from Is. 25:8. This verse is also quoted by Paul in 1 Cor. 15:54 and applied to those with the heavenly hope.

For reasons I will not go into here, I believe the 144000 and this great crowd to be the very same group.

What about Matt. 5:5? – “The gentle are blessed for they will inherit the earth.” This simply means that the “gentle” or “meek” will inherit the earth as part of their realm. Compare Rev 5:10

How are we to understand texts in Psalms and elsewhere that may seem to indicate that there will people living on earth forever? That there will be perfect people living on earth forever in no way proves that this will be the reward for the vast majority of Christians. We also must remember that Jesus is God’s chief spokesman and he revealed many facets of God’s will and purpose that up to that time had been hidden, including the heavenly hope for Christ’s followers. Hebrews 1:1,2 – “Long ago God spoke to the fathers by the prophets at different times and in different ways. 2 In these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son…”

God’s purpose was much more fully revealed in Jesus. Now Jesus’ teachings are to be given priority. Jesus is much more than just another prophet. That is why we should give a higher priority to what he and his disciples taught. And  they taught, without exception, that the hope for Christ’s followers is the heavenly one.

Having said all this, this does not mean however that the faithful church will not rule on earth while having spiritual bodies. Revelation 5:10 and other texts seem to indicate that possibility.

It is quite clear 144000 is a symbolic number. The number is reached by multiplying 12000 times the 12 tribes of Israel. If one believes the number 12000 to be symbolic, and the 12 tribes to be symbolic, how could the resulting number be literal? Also the book of Acts lets us know of the tremendous growth of the Christian community in the first century. It is likely that there were more than 144000 christians in the first century alone.

Realizing the great hope before us has stirred many Christians to greater love for God and Jesus. One realizes the opportunity to be God’s son or daughter now.

Rating 3.60 out of 5
[?]

28 Comments on What is a Christians Hope? Heaven or Earth?

  1. greybeard says:

    Very good article Andrew. I agree 100%

    As I’m sure you know, Jehovah Witness’s or Bible Students as they were called up till around 1935 I believe, believed in the one heavenly hope for all Christians. However their view of the 144,000 being a literal number was becoming a problem as they could see their members surpassing that number. Rutherford, the president of the org back then came up with the two class belief. The great crowd that would live on earth and the 144,000 that go to heaven. I believe it was about 1935 they taught the heavenly call was closed and the preaching work was to gather the great crowd that would live on a paradise earth. Most of the Bible Students left. The Bible Students still are going strong and believe much the same as they always have.

    What amazes me is how people fall for such teachings. My parents became JW’s even though they never were into the Bible before. I believe that is it. Most who become JW’s do not have a strong foundation of Bible Knowledge. The JW’s train them to view the Bible through the glasses of the Watchtower. As mentioned before, they say nobody could understand the Bible no matter how much they read it without the Watchtower.

    The sad truth is people will do almost anything in this world and most are easy to fool. Look at Jim Jones and the people that followed him. 909 people took cyanide. 303 of them were children.

    So just because JW’s have a large group world wide and they go from door to door world wide does not prove anything. Do they preach what Christ taught or do they go beyond what is written?
    I think most of us know the answer to that.

    Your brother,
    Greybeard

      (Quote)

  2. Difficult Places Common to Scripture says:

    A balanced article, Andrew. Some when leaving the JWs throw out the baby with the bath water: the earth will burn up etc. The OT was inspired of God and Jesus did not abrogate all that was written in it.

    The Watchtower has opened again what was closed in 1935. Will most JWs change their hope? I don’t know. But, that is up to them and their conscience. Jehovah calls whom he calls.

    Most Christians are very happy going about their lives doing what most everyone does and believing what they are taught with little investigation and attending church on their designated days. Is that what Jesus meant when he said his disciples should carry their cross? Did his disciples live their lives as they wanted and enjoyed life as others did? Or were they fully dedicated to their Master and to his teachings and to helping as many as possible to learn about his teachings?

    There is a missing piece here. But I leave that for others to write about.

    Very good article, Andrew. Thank you.

      (Quote)

  3. serein says:

    everyone has there job that that they are able to do in this life some teachers some prophesing,others what ever else they are able to do,some arnt able to totaly dedicate there life totaly and so do there bit were they can and thats all fine and gods pleased with what we do as he knows are limits and situations, like me i have 8 children my situation and some one with no kids is totaly dif and obviosly the one with no kids can do alot more dose that mean hes better than me and has more favor than i do no it dosnt,its not how much u do its how well u do,its not the hours u put in its the love of god u have and share when u can with thoes who want to hear it, no matter if its only once a year ones a month once a week i dont know i just know geting the right person with the right heart is what counts even if its only one in the whole of ur life,as for heaven i think,there will be 144000 who go to be kings with jesus and then there will be a lot of others also whol go and not be kings also ones who stay here to,just cos it says 14400 will be chosen out of the earth to be kings dosnt mean thats all thats going jusdt means thats all thats going to be kings,thats my thinking on it.i want to go heaven,i also want to live on earth and wish i could have both, but in heaven it would be 1000000s of times better than earth so i want to be there.

      (Quote)

    • Jolly Roger says:

      Serein, “i also want to live on earth and wish i could have both, but in heaven it would be 1000000s of times better than earth so i want to be there.”

      That’s a lot of times better! I must admit, thankfully, I’m not the guy who gets to decide who goes where and who doesn’t, so maybe you and Andy will get to go.. Truly, if it was you want, then I hope you get it.

      For me, if I get to choose, I’d stay here. To steal a quote from P.I. Jake Geddes (Jack Nicholson played him in “Chinatown”), “What do you want that won’t already be able to get in the new system? Will you be able to eat any better? Sleep any better? Drive a bigger car? When is enough enough?”

      Remember, that the reason all of us are here, now, in the conditions that we are in is because a purpose of Jehovah was (temporarily) brought to a halt. The method used, was to convince someone that God was not giving them what they deserved, and that God was afraid that if He played fair with them, they would actually be much better off than they were at that moment, while at that moment they were living without wanting for anything, in complete security, in a paradise. I have had a few conversations with amatuer Cosmologists who are absolutely convinced that other “intelligent” life must exist “somewhere out there.” Their reason for this is because the “out there” is so limitless and huge and blah, buh-blah, buh-blah. For some strange reason they just cannot bring themselves to accept the notion that the person who built all of that “out there” is a person with such limitless love and generosity towards us all, that such a gift as this universe is really, par for the course.

        (Quote)

  4. Jon says:

    So are you saying that all go to heaven? There is no paradise earth as the jws preace and teach?

      (Quote)

    • andrew says:

      I believe the hope for christians is heavenly. Will there be people living on earth during the 1000 yr. reign? Apparently so. These people will be survivors of Armageddon or their children. Although armageddon will result in much destruction, the bible seems to indicate a good portion of earth’s population will survive. Many of these will submit willingly to Jesus’ rule. This however is not a faithful christians hope.

        (Quote)

  5. serein says:

    i beleive in a heavenly hope and a earthly one otherwise why have earth at all,i also beleive there is things in this univers we are yet to discover and that there may well be other beings else were on other planets i duno, i just know that if then earth can get 1000s of times better in paradise thgen how much more better is it to live in heaven also doese heaven just mean in heaven a spiritual place with the angels or could it mean the heavens with diff spiritual places and also diff earthly places to which if arnt here are in the heavens so its limitles what it could all mean, i just want to be anywere god wants me to be,and at this moment in time its here i hate it its a horrible world and i dont mean for me my life but horrible for lots of others, so i might not have much but im happy with it theres alot worse and i want paradise for them poor soles,and hate life becouse of this stinking sistem just want it to end,

      (Quote)

  6. Amos says:

    Good job, well done Andrew.

    I would like to make some comments & ask a couple of questions.

    1) It is possible that the 144,000 are only made up from the nation of Israel, up until the conversion of Cornelius.
    This would then give the “little flock” as being wholly made up from Israel & Gentile Proselites. If we notice in Rev.7:1-8, it clearly names the 144K, as coming from the “twelve tribes”.
    I also agree that the “Great Crowd” of Rev.7:9-17, is represented in the gospels as the “Other Sheep”.
    If this is actually the case, it means that we have two representations from mankind with the same hope/destiny, but taken from different segments of mankind; “Little flock (144K)”, “Other sheep (Great crowd), which has become “one flock, one Shepherd”.

    2) Are we completely assured that our destiny is IN heaven, just because the call comes FROM heaven? I, & some other brothers are considering this thought at the present time & are now undecided as to the truth of the correct answer to this.

    I completely agree with Andrew that the church can & will administer the kingdom “on the earth” & as Andrew said, they can do this even if they are in spiritual bodies, (or fleshly).

    3) Where does the view that there will be “Armageddon survivors” other than the church? Are there any scriptures to support this? (I have always had this view myself until recently, but now understand that it is ONLY the church that will survive Armageddon).

    Please consider the following texts;
    1Cor.15:22; “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”

    Heb.9:27,28; “And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment; 28 so Christ also, having been once offered to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time, apart from sin, to them that wait for him, unto salvation.”

    From my understanding, those called, chosen, anointed & baptised, “die to their former sins” at their baptism. The rest of mankind (who don’t accept Christ in THIS age) MUST die physically & be resurrected during the millennial reign. They will then be given the opportunity of accepting the “ransom provisions”, including repentance & full submission to YHWH’s requirements for obedient mankind. Those who fail in this will receive the “second death”.

    Please let me know your views on these thoughts. As I am moving around at the present time, I may not have regular internet access, but will respond as soon as I do.

      (Quote)

    • andrew says:

      Thanks for your comment Amos,
      As far as your comment #1, I don’t view the other sheep and the great crowd as interchangeable terms. I believe the other sheep are all gentile christians from any time period. I believe the great crowd are all faithful christians, regardless of nationality, who are alive at Jesus’ coming. The great crowd would be the same as the “living” mentioned in 1 Thess. 4:17.I believe the 12 tribes to be symbolic of the “Israel of God” (Gal. 6:16) Also I have considered how the following texts indicate that “true Israel” is made up of both jews and gentiles who have faith. (Rom. 2:28,29 9:6-8 Gal. 3:29 James 1:1) Of course Revelation was given in signs and is notoriously difficult to interpret, so I would not say your theory cannot be right.

      Comment #2, you may be right.

      Comment #3, consider the last chapter of Zechariah, especially starting in verse 16. It appears the survivors or representatives of these survivors will go up to Jerusalem (New Jerusalem) to make an annual visit. The battle of Arm. described in Rev. 19:17-21 is only against the gathered armies, it appears it will not be a slaughter of mankind in general. It is probable that after faithful christians are raptured many will come to their senses and acknowledge God and Christ. Notice in Rev. 11:13 how after what I believe to be the rapture takes place there are other people that give glory to God. These along with many others would make up the survivors of Armageddon.
      Of course I could be wrong and reserve the right to change my mind at anytime.

        (Quote)

    • bruceguth says:

      Amos, I just read all of the interesting questions you brought up in your comment here. I ask that you look at this article written on the subject of this posted thread, “What is a Christian’s Hope? Heaven or Earth?”

      Very good study, at this link: http://www.nazarene-friends.or.....0Earth.htm

        (Quote)

  7. Amos says:

    Hi Andrew, & thank’s for your reply.

    I agree with what you have replied to my comment #1, & thank’s for the clarification. The verses in Romans & Galations support this view.
    As I only returned home last night, I wont be able to study & digest the scriptures with regard to com. # 3, but will hopefully get back to you within 24 hours….good work my brother.

    WCL, Amos

      (Quote)

  8. Amos says:

    Brother Andrew,

    I have read the verses concerned with comm. # 3 & see that this opens up a bigger discussion concerning the trumpets, etc, & I don’t have the time to go into this at present, so will reply in full early next week. For the next few months, I’ll be living between two homes, & have several appointments during this time & these things affect my ability to give coherent & detailed replies on the deeper topics.

    Your Brother in the Lord,
    Amos

      (Quote)

  9. Dennis says:

    I was reading another website and came across a post that truly saddens me to my core. This poor young seeker of truth (Jehovah’s Witness) seemed to be in turmoil. Here is a snippet from his post.

    “Im a 29 Year old man, who knows without the shadow of a doubt he is of the anointed. I’ve prayed, and prayed that theres nothing wrong with me, or that I have no mental illnesses”

    Mental illness has been offered as an explanation for the increase of memorial partakers by the organization and I guess this poor young man has taken it to heart! This is sickening to me. It bothered me so much I just had to share to try and get it off my chest.

    Dennis

      (Quote)

    • andrew says:

      I agree it is quite sad. I think any JW who spends large amount of time reading the New Testament without the publications will begin to have feelings of the heavenly hope. Using the publications however will squash that feeling.
      One elder commenting to me about the increase in partakers said something like, “Well we all know that most of the new ones partaking aren’t truly anointed.”
      Quite sad indeed.

        (Quote)

    • jacqueline says:

      Dennis, this is Jacqueline we are trying to help him and he seems to be responding. Ezekial chapters 34 & 35 fortold this time when sheep would scatter everywhere. Sites like this on and others have stepped up to the plate. Appreciate you and all the other good Brothers and sisters here. Peac, Love and may God be with all of you. Love you. Jacqueline

        (Quote)

  10. serein says:

    just becouse the bible says 14400 get chosen to be kings i n heaven with jesus doesnt mean many more arnt going just means they wont be kings it dosnt say does it that only 14400 are going to heaven it says 14400 get chosen to be kings in heaven am i wrong,so if theres more able to go then maybe theres alot who know they are going heaven but arnt gona be one of the chosen 14400, were in the bible does it say others wont be going?

      (Quote)

  11. jacqueline says:

    Also Angels used to come to the earth. The prohibition was because of the pre-flood events. So I hope to see and be with my family. I hope materializing will be allowed again.

      (Quote)

  12. greybeard says:

    That’s a wonderful thought Jacqueline.

      (Quote)

  13. Dennis says:

    Hi Andrew,

    In the above article you said, “What about Matt. 5:5? – “The gentle are blessed for they will inherit the earth.” This simply means that the “gentle” or “meek” will inherit the earth as part of their realm. Compare Rev 5:10”.

    Can you expand on this thought a bit. Who exactly will inherit the Earth? Who are the “gentle” or “meek”?When will this happen? Rev. 5:10, Are these the ones that will inherit the Earth (the Kings & Priests)? If so will they reign on or over the Earth? Who will they reign over? Do you believe that there will be ones that will be left over on the Earth after the Great Tribulation (as do Bible Students) that will be taught by our Lord and his Church and brought to perfection during the millennium? Can these not be the meek ones of Matt. 5:5? If not then how would you explain the “Restoration of all Things”? Just curious as to your thoughts on these questions.

    Your Inquisitive Brother,

    Dennis

      (Quote)

    • andrew says:

      Hey Dennis;
      It would seem that Jesus in the beatitudes of Matt 5:3-12 is referring to the same group. Vs. 8 says they will see God. Vs. 9 says they are sons of God. Vs. 10 says the kingdom of heaven will be theirs. All this indicates that the gentle and meek are the saints.
      As said in Matt. 5:5 they would inhert the earth. It would appear they will rule over those survivors of armageddon. These survivors will no doubt benefit greatly from this rule.

      There are a number of texts that talk about New Jerusalem descending to the earth. This could indicate that the saints will be on the earth temporarily in some sense during the 1000 yr reign. It is clear they will have bodies like their Lord Jesus.

      It would be nice to be able to nail down exactly how all of God’s promises will be fulfilled, but this simply is not possible at this time.

        (Quote)

      • Dennis says:

        Andrew said, “As said in Matt. 5:5 they would inhert the earth. It would appear they will rule over those survivors of armageddon. These survivors will no doubt benefit greatly from this rule.”

        I was having trouble understanding in what sense those with a heavenly hope could be said to inherit the Earth. Your comment above would explain this. Very interesting.

        Thanks,
        Dennis

          (Quote)

  14. rus virgil says:

    Something is lacking here on the reasons of upper posts.

    Jesus said “when he comes(the spirit of truth) he will guide you in ALL truth”
    that means in ALL God’s word, from Genesis to Revelation
    but not without an “order” because God is a God of order

    Jesus came, and He brought the truth (from Father) (John 1:17)
    a part of this truth is that He is coming to re-establish the things which were from “the beginning”
    Matthew 19
    4. But he answering said [to them], Have ye not read that he who made [them], FROM THE BEGINNING MADE THEM… male and female,
    8. …………… but from the beginning it was not thus.

    Jesus put the accent on the tings as they were made from the beginning
    Genesis 1:
    26. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness;
    and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over the whole earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth on the earth.

    — from the beginning the man was put ON EARTH

    and God doesn’t change / Mal 3:6

    When Jesus came , He brought new things from Father , but the new things were NOT meant to change what was from the beginning ,
    they were added in order TO HELP the achieving/performing of the original purposes of the Creator

    Throughout the Old Testament the EARTHLY HOPE is unchanged / you know the Biblical references/verses.

    Also appear a very interesting thing : without to send His people (Israelites) to go “door to door” , Jehovah is lancing an valid “earthly call” to ALL PEOPLES on earth:
    Isaiah 55
    1. “Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters;
    And you who have no money come, buy and eat
    Come, buy wine and milk
    Without money and without cost.
    2. “Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
    And your wages for what does not satisfy?
    Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
    And delight yourself in abundance.

    Now, when Jesus came He brought something new : a knowledge about Fathers’ plan to chose a limited number to be “partakers” with His Son , to share the Kingdom duties ( kings and priests)

    The fact is real that in the New testament the instructions given to those “chosen” are more than to the rest of “those having faith” , because they have to participate to a “higher school” and “higher exam”(mine expressions) in order to come to a “unity of faith/knowledge” with Jesus, their head (Ephesians 4:11-13 )

    Now, regarding the “Heavenly calling” , except for those 12 whom Jesus himself called, the rest of them were called by Father , through Spirit
    those who received it were conscious of that calling because the spirit makes them so

    regarding the number of those receiving this calling, Jesus shows that by naming this flock “Little Flock” in comparison to the number of “all” for whom He gave his life

    NOW,
    — there is no record in the OT that the earthly hope would be suspended sometime
    and
    — there is NO inspired record in the NT that for the “earthly hope” will/would be suspended temporarily, or for ever

    So, even from those of Jesus audience – Israelites – there were more those manifesting faith , with “earthly hope” than those “called” to be with Him in Heavens !
    And THAT is the same until today !

    Not the “watchtower” discovered this truth, it always was and has been from Jesus until today , but it was hard for “fleshly” men to UNDERSTAND it

    The FACT that evil men have abused of that position (of “called ones” and “anointed ones” ) within God’s people, during the “latter days”, DOESN’T change God’s word, God’s Plan, God’s purpose or God’s mind , at all !
    ====================
    Many like to argue that calling ourselves “Christians” , this NAME means “anointed” , so all Christians are (obligatory) “anointed”

    That is not right from “spiritual” point of view ,
    as Jesus taught us that …John 6
    63. It is the Spirit which quickens, the flesh profits nothing: the words which I have spoken unto you are spirit and are life.
    2 Cor :
    3. For the letter kills, but the Spirit quickens.

    the NAME “CHRISTIAN” was given according to God’s will to ALL who believe / or have FAITH in Jesus, more (in number) non-anointed and few anointed
    this is because God’s purpose is that ALL to be “ONE”
    John 17 (Jesus’ words)
    17. Sanctify them by the truth: thy word is truth.
    18. As thou hast sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world;
    19. and I sanctify myself for them, that they also may be sanctified by truth.
    20. And I do not demand for these only, but also for those who believe on me through their word;
    21. that they may be all one, as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
    22. And the glory which thou hast given me I have given them, that they may be one, as we are one;

    This is according to the “teaching of Christ”
    (there are many other things to say)

    in Christ,
    rus virgil

      (Quote)

    • bruceguth says:

      Well Rus V, the words given to Isaiah and Zechariah both invite the attention on the subject of who is left after the Great Day of Jehovah. I refer to Isaiah chapters 61-66, and Zechariah 8-14. These are excellent reading / reviewing on related questions. I am certain that Jehovah’s Witnesses have some of this understood regarding humans left on earth. There are other prophets who allude to ones who are shown to be supportive of the “select” in Christ. We will see and understand as the prophesies of Daniel unfold, which is ahead.

      Some have the thought in our times that the earth will set uninhabited for the thousand year millenium, but that looks erroneous to me.

      It is true that the Christian Bible (NT) has fascinating appeal to saints (anointed), and furnish much to help in keeping eyes forward with hope. It is wonderful to see many beyond those called to this hope looking forward with healthy anticipation also.

      As we do, let us keep God’s Word, the Word of Yehoweh, in the center of our pupils! – Proverbs 7:2 ; 30:5 .

      Enjoy.
      Daniel

        (Quote)

  15. Ann O'Maly says:

    Once I came to the conclusion that the Bible held out only one everlasting hope for faithful Christians rather than two, I had the same difficulties reconciling the heaven and earth passages in the Bible. What was our ultimate destiny to be? Heaven OR earth? If heaven, what’s all this about a new earth – what’s that for if we’re not going to need it any more? Yes, one possible option that also crossed my mind at the time was that there are still two saved groups: those who became Christians during this Gospel Age, and those who are ‘worthy’ (for want of a better word) non-Christians – those who through no fault of their own never got an opportunity to become believers.

    It came as a surprise to me that the oft-used ‘going to heaven’ proof-texts have been colored by our long-held views and don’t necessarily mean what we always assumed them to mean, and that the mainstream Christian view has generally been that ‘heaven’ is supposed to be the intermediate state – the stage between bodily death and resurrection; ‘paradise'(!) (compare Paul’s and John’s use of the term); the ‘safe-in-God’s-hands-awaiting-resurrection’ stage. Now, what kind of existence an individual has in that heavenly intermediate state – whether conscious or unconscious – is another discussion (I haven’t resolved that myself), but if our resurrection is to be anything like Jesus’ it has to be some kind of spirit-generated, flesh and bone (cp. Luke 24:39) body – not just a ‘ghostly’ one. In addition, it tends to be more a Gnostic or Platonic idea, rather than an early Judeo-Christian one, that one has to dispense with the corrupted material creation and existence in favor of a purer, ethereal, spirit existence.

    Anyway, to my delight, the booklet that helped put some pieces together for me is now available to read on the net and I hope you give its contents some consideration. Maybe it’ll help resolve some difficulties for you too or at least offer a different perspective.

    http://www.leithvalley.org.nz/.....Wright.pdf

    By the way, the author is a well-known theologian, has written extensively, and later became the Anglican Bishop of Durham, England. More of his work can be found at http://www.ntwrightpage.com/

      (Quote)

    • Amos says:

      Hi Ann O’Maly,
      I’m glad that you have given those links, I have bookmarked them, & will peruse them as time permits.
      I persomally have a soft spot for E.W. Bullinger, of the Companion Bible. He has also written some extremely interesting & factual articles/books, that very clearly extol many of the topics hidden within the scriptures….I have found most of those that I have read/studied to be very faith strengthening & upbuilding.

      Amos

        (Quote)

Leave a Reply to Ann O'Maly Cancel reply

Website Apps