@bling
Let's address each of your answers, one at a time.
You do not believe there are two resurrections, and that is contrary to the scriptures, which speak of the first resurrection, and then a subsequent resurrection. Revelation 20:4, 6; Revelation 20:12-15; Acts 24:15; John 5: 28, 29
How do you respond?
That point is settled then.
Since the first resurrection is for only those whom reign with Christ for a thousand years (Revelation 20:4), over whom the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with Him for a thousand years (Revelation 20:6), in heaven (Revelation 14:1-4), these are the ones that will be like the angels, as mentioned at Matthew 22:30
This resurrection is not the same as the second resurrection, at Revelation 20:12-15, whom are "standing before the throne", considered "dead", and "judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds", some of whose "name was not found written in the book of life", and they are "thrown into the lake of fire".
All those who are resurrected to heaven, have their names written in the book of life, and are not subject to the second death.
Good. That's covered then.
You said:
Did God promise "Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done"? Yes, but “as have done” means with water.
The answer is yes. The rational is irrelevant, as the promise is not never again will I use water, but "
Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done".
As I have done, refers to
striking down every living creature on account of man.
Case closed on that as well.
Regarding the will and purpose of God, the threads title is, "The Purpose of the Earth".
The will and purpose that takes focus is not, whether God is saving man, or not, but what is
God's purpose for the earth.
According to Ephesians 1:9-11 God's will and purpose involves this earth... from the very beginning.
9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He set forth in Him, 10 regarding His plan of the fullness of the times, to bring all things together in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. 11 In Him we also have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things in accordance with the plan of His will,
That is also settled.
Finally...
1 John 2:17 says The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains (
menó: To remain, to abide, to stay, to continue, to dwell, to endure) forever.
The NIV is a very unreliable translation.
This verse says when this world of mankind is removed by God, those doing God's will, are the ones that will remain.
Not only does this make sense, since the earth will not be empty, when God destroys all those in opposition to his will (Revelation 11:18), but it is in harmony with the scriptures, which clearly outlines God's purpose to have a small number of persons rule with Christ, over the earth. Revelation 7:1-3; Revelation 14:1-4; Revelation 5:9, 10
On Mount Zion, only 144,000 sealed ones are seen.
The great multitude are not on Mount Zion, which is heaven.
Rather, it is said of them...
Revelation 7:15-17
15 For this reason they are before the throne of God, and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. 16 They will no longer hunger nor thirst, nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any scorching heat; 17 for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”
This is the same group that is seen at Revelation 21:3, 4
3 And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold,
the tabernacle of God is with men (anthrópos: Man, human, person, mankind), and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God:
4 and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed away.
This multitude -
mankind - make up the new earth.
It was not God's purpose to place man on the earth, and then take them to heaven.
All the scriptures in the Bible, relate to God's original purpose, and fulfilling that purpose, which involves this earth, and making all things new. Revelation 21:5; Isaiah 65:17-25
Jesus, who is well aware of God's purpose, and fulfilling that purpose, for which he was sent, told his followers to pray for the kingdom to come, and God's will to be done on earth.
What will was Jesus referring to?
Jesus quoted from Psalm 37:11
What does that Psalm tell us, about God's will for the earth? We read...
For
evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth.
For yet a little while and
the wicked shall be no more; Indeed, you will look carefully for his place, But it
shall be no
more.
But
the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
Peace on earth.
Yes.
That is God's will for the earth. God made the earth to be inhabited by people living in peace.
Peace on earth, is what nations and peoples will like to achieve, but this will only happen under Christ's rule. Isaiah 9:6, 7
According to Psalms 72, which is prophetic of Christ's rule, we read...
1 Give the king Your judgments, O God, And Your righteousness to the king’s Son.
2 He will judge Your people with righteousness, And Your poor with justice.
3 The mountains will bring peace to the people, And the little hills, by righteousness.
4 He will bring justice to the poor of the people; He will save the children of the needy, And will break in pieces the oppressor.
5 They shall fear You As long as the sun and moon endure, Throughout all generations.
6 He shall come down like rain upon the grass before mowing, Like showers that water the earth.
7 In His days the righteous shall flourish, And abundance of peace, Until the moon is no more.
8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth.
9 Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before Him, And His enemies will lick the dust.
10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles Will bring presents; The kings of Sheba and Seba Will offer gifts.
11 Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; All nations shall serve Him.
12 For He will deliver the needy when he cries, The poor also, and him who has no helper.
13 He will spare the poor and needy, And will save the souls of the needy.
14 He will redeem their life from oppression and violence; And precious shall be their blood in His sight.
15 And He shall live; And the gold of Sheba will be given to Him; Prayer also will be made for Him continually,
And daily He shall be praised.
16 There will be an abundance of grain in the earth, On the top of the mountains; Its fruit shall wave like Lebanon; And those of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
17 His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. And men shall be blessed in Him; All nations shall call Him blessed.
18 Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, Who only does wondrous things!
19 And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.
20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.
Until the moon is no more, emphasizes as a hyperbole, that this is forever.
You said:
No. I see the New Jerusalem coming down into the Spiritual Kingdom in heaven, there is no need of a physical earth.
"coming down into the Spiritual Kingdom in heaven" ???
What does that mean?
Yet said:
Daniel explains the dream plainly. The would be Babylonian empire is Gold at the top and the other kingdoms which come later like: Mede/Persian, Greek and Roman, with the Roman Empire being iron and clay. These earthly kingdoms God allowed humans to build, but there will come a Kingdom not made by the hands of man, which will smash all other man-made earthly Kingdoms.
So God has a kingdom, that is greater than all other kingdoms. Yes.
A kingdom is a rulership, or government. Do you agree?
Therefore God sets up his own rulership... where? In heaven. Yes?
Who is the king of God's rulership, or government in heaven? Why, it is Christ the king (Isaiah 9:6), and he rules with whom?
Ah. Now we are on point. The 144,000 heirs. Daniel 7:27; Revelation 14:1
What will the kingdom accomplish? Isaiah 9:7
Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.
Peace. Where? In heaven, and on earth. Yes... In him. Ephesians 1:10
There is already peace in heaven though, with the ousting of Satan, and his angelic followers. Revelation 12:10-12
So, Christ only has to accomplish peace on earth, when his kingdom destroys the last part of the image - the feet and toes - the last world power (kingdom).
Daniel 2:41-45
Finally, we are actually getting somewhere.
You said:
This rock (Jesus) will smash the Roman Empire’s Kingdom and extend the Kingdom of the mountain (Heavenly Kingdom to all of Earth) which went out to not only Babylon‘s Kingdom, but the whole earth, although this Kingdom is not of the earth, but a Spiritual Kingdom (Mount Zion), so it extends back to heaven.
"
a Spiritual Kingdom (Mount Zion), so it extends back to heaven" ???
What does that mean?
The kingdom is in heaven. It is not a spiritual kingdom. It is a real tangible kingdom, with kings - real kings, ruling from the heaven. It also has a domain - the earth, and subjects to rule over.
It is a rulership, established by God... in the heavens.
As God is real, and Jesus is, the kingdom is also real. It rules from heaven, and rules over the earth. Revelation 5:10
Its rulers live in heaven, where Christ is, forever. Philippians 3:20
For our citizenship exists in the heavens, from whence also we are awaiting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ
John 14:2-4; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; 1 Peter 1:3, 4
You said:
There is no issue understanding that the Kingdom of God (Kingdom of Heaven) last forever in heaven with the Kingdom of God here on earth being drawn back to heaven at the Judgment.
What does that mean???
Either the kingdom of God is in heaven, or it's not.
If you understand the basic truth that "
the Kingdom of God (Kingdom of Heaven) last forever in heaven", from where did you get "the Kingdom of God here on earth", and "being drawn back to heaven at the Judgment"?
Do you realize that the kingdom ruled by Christ is new? Here we have the new heavens - New Jerusalem. Revelation 21:1, 2
God set up this kingdom in the hands of Christ, in order to accomplish his purpose. 1 Corinthians 15:20-28
20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27 For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
Did you notice
- Christ delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power, and has put all enemies under His feet, the last enemy being destroyed is death.
- Once Christ accomplishes God's will, what does he do? When all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
Mission accomplished!
for the administration of the fullness of the times, to bring together all things in Christ - the things in the heavens and the things upon the earth - in him. Ephesians 1:10
For these reasons, and the ones previously mentioned,
it is clear that reading 2 Peter 3, and applying his words to the physical heavens and earth, is to make the mistake of ignoring that the use of heavens and earth in the Bible, are at times figurative.
Some examples were mentioned before, but there are others - Isaiah 65:17; Isaiah 51:15, 16; Isaiah 66:22; 2 Peter 3:7, 13; Revelation 20:11; Revelation 21:1
It is to also ignore all the scriptures in the Bible, that state clearly God's purpose for the earth, and his expressed will to accomplish that purpose, in his appointed time.