armothe
Living in HIS kingdom...
Originally posted by Joj
Are you ever gonna answer my questions as often as I answer yours?
I will do so now in this lengthy post.
Originally posted by Joj
It also says there will be no need for one to teach another does it not? Why are we even here if that has been fulfilled?
"God and His people (Christians) currently have intimate fellowship (through prayer & His word),"
Not ALL of us like the word says. Why not? Did God lie?
The scriptures said they (Israelites) would ALL know Him how do you figure this has happened already?
Hebrews 8:11
And they shall not teach one another
or say to each other, Know the Lord,
for they shall all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.
In the old Covenant only priests could teach, for they were the mediators between God and Israel's covenantial law. We also see prophets & kings teaching - but not in the covenantial sense.
It was the priests, prophets, and kings that were chosen to "know" God. The rest of the nation of Israel depended on these personalities to "have a relationship" with God.
Thanks to Christ, ALL of Israel can have a relationship with Him. From the poopsmith (least) to the high priest (greatest).
There is no more need for the priests to teach & direct the masses of Israel of the old covenant.
Originally posted by Joj
Do you really think that what we are living in today is Gods Kingdom here on this earth?
Yes and No. I believe God's kingdom is a spiritual one. It is not of this earth. However, God's spiritual kingdom exists along side the physical earth. Our bodies reside on earth, but our mind/spirit resides in God's kingdom if we have chosen to accept Jesus as the savior of man.
Revelation 21:22-27 - I saw no temple in the city (New Jerusalem), for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. Its gates will never be shut by day and there will be no night there. People will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will enter it, nor anyone who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lambs book of life.
The New Jerusalem is pictured as existing inside another realm. The other realm is characterized as having unclean things (evil) in it (our physical earth). The New Jerusalem only allows the good to enter into its continuously-open gates. How do unclean things become clean? By the blood of Christ. Once we accept Christ as our savior, our sins are covered. God no longer sees us as unclean. We then enter into the New Kingdom where Christ is our light (spiritual): John 12:46 - I have come as a light into the world, that every one who is believing in me should not remain in the darkness.
Fortunately, this invitation into the New Kingdom is for everyone who accepts (gates area always open).
Parable of the Weeds:
Matthew 13:36-39 - The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one,
They are ruling - spiritually- in the New Jerusalem.Originally posted by Joj
Where are these guys (Disciples) ruling from today? Where are their subjects?
Originally posted by Joj
I ask, what did those scriptures say was the new covenant? You stopped short of posting what they did actually say. Why?
The scriptures stated that the old covenant between God and Israel was being made obsolete. The new covenant would have God's laws/principles written in our hearts spiritually, not on stone tablets. For the rest of this answer please review the first Q&A above.
Originally posted by Joj
And could you explain how we (gentiles) who were never included in the Old Covenant, (unless we converted to Judaism) could even possibly be entitled to a new covenant since we never had an old one?
Though the New Covenant is specifically focused on Israel, it is clear that Christians of the present time also stand under its blessings.
1 Cor. 11:2 - In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
The New Covenant is Gods appointed vehicle for fulfilling the Abrahamic blessings to Israel. But the Abrahamic Covenant also promised universal blessing, so the New Covenant becomes Gods vehicle of salvation for believers since the Cross. To say this is not to say anything more than Jesus did when He declared that "salvation is from the Jews" (John 4:22).
Originally posted by Joj
"So, what...will the animals and plants live forever, just as humans do?"
Check out the scriptures, I think they say there will be no more death if I recall. See what you can come up with contrary to that.
I think I answered this in another post. The death spoken of is spiritual death.
Originally posted by Joj
"- What do we eat, what do the animals eat? We can't eat animals, or plants because we'd have to slaughter them."
Well God did say He would provide for all needs in His kingdom. Ever here of mannah?
That is probably the best answer I've heard for this argument. Supernatural food from God. I suppose as long as nothing dies as our digestive system breaks down the manna, you've answered this question.
What purpose do the animals and plants then serve in the New kingdom?
Originally posted by Joj
"Please, educate me on how this New Kingdom on earth will work. Please be specific."
I think you would believe the bible more than me. Why dont you consult it and save us both time. Just look up kingdom in your concordance and read all about it. It really is quite interesting.
John 18:36 - Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my officers had struggled that I might not be delivered up to Jews; but now my kingdom is not from hence.
2 Tim 4:18 - and the Lord shall free me from every evil work, and shall save me to his heavenly kingdom; to whom is the glory to the ages of the ages! Amen.
Mark 14:24 - and he said to them, This is my blood of the new covenant, which for many is being poured out;
2 Corinthians 3:6 - Who also made us sufficient to be ministrants of a new covenant, not of letter, but of spirit; for the letter doth kill, and the spirit doth make alive.
Everything I've found states the new Kingdom is a spiritual one.
Hope I answered all of the questions you had in mind.
-A
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