Beliefs about the Afterlife (xxxxiv)

The Millennial reign of Christ and his people, per Revelation chapter twenty, and the heavens and earth of that period of time, will not be a perfect world. How do we know this? Because 1) people sin and suffer instant death (see Isa. 66: 22-24), and 2) nations are able at the end of the Millennium to be deceived so as to rebel against Christ the earth's King (by Satan being loosed from his imprisonment). Further, though death is rare, and people live a thousand years, death still claims its victims. However, in the eternal state following the Millennium there is no more death nor curse and all is made new. We can say therefore, that the next age, the Millennial under Christ and the saints, will be Utopian, but not yet perfect in every respect, at least for those who enter the Millennium as mortals on probation. It will be perfect for the resurrected and glorified children of God, however, as they will suffer no ills nor lack in any age of eternity. Any ills or adversities will be only for those mortals who sin against God. 

Is Utopia Possible?

The brothers at the web page "Got Questions" (See here) wrote (emphasis mine):

"A perfect society is impossible to create in a fallen world. All people are sinners, and we cannot create a “perfect” world because we are not perfect (Romans 3:23). Even if a society were constructed solely of Christians, it would be imperfect because the sin nature is still present in Christians (Galatians 5:17). No individual can perfect himself, so no group of people can perfect society. To create a true utopia would require everyone to be sinless. 

 

Various groups have attempted to establish utopian societies and thus realize a man-made paradise on earth: the Shakers, the Transcendentalists, the Perfectionists, and others all tried (and failed) to construct the ideal society. Some were motivated by a belief that Jesus’ return was imminent, others by confidence in mankind’s innate goodness—but all were disappointed."

Today we hear much about the creation of a "new world order," or simply, a new world. The ideal world for many is immortalized in the Star Trek movies by Gene Roddenberry, as in follow up series dealing with the same idea. However, in that age of technological advancement, there were still many imperfect things, even death. Though knowledge has so increased that mankind has "replicators" that can produce food or any other thing, and have devices for transportation right out of science fiction, with transporters, and other fantastic vehicles, and have cures for most illnesses, yet evils still remain. Man's evil nature, lust, and desires for what is forbidden are still present.

The brothers continue:

"Scripture informs us that once there was a “utopia” in this world: the Garden of Eden was created for Adam and Eve to tend and enjoy (Genesis 2:15). Everything that God had created was “very good,” and mankind had everything they could possibly need (Genesis 1:31; 2:22). Adam and Eve enjoyed a close and intimate relationship with the Lord, who walked with them in the garden (Genesis 3:8). Sadly, this perfect place that God had created was corrupted when Adam and Eve chose to disobey the Lord. Their sin disrupted their perfect existence and brought death into the world (Genesis 3:11–19; Romans 5:12). No longer would the earth produce abundant crops free of weeds and thorns (Genesis 3:17–18). No longer would the animals live at peace with one another and with mankind (Romans 8:20–22). No longer would Adam and Eve’s relationship with each other be perfect (Genesis 3:16). Most importantly, no longer could Adam and Eve have a close relationship with God (Genesis 3:23–24; Isaiah 59:2). The perfect world had been marred by sin, and the utopia was lost."

And just what made the Garden of Eden a utopia or paradise? And, had Adam and Eve never sinned, would all their descendants have lived lives on earth where Eden is everywhere? 

If Adam and Eve had not sinned, how would that effect their offspring? Would it have prevented Cain from killing Abel his younger brother? Would each human be on probation and born free of original sin? In such a world, would not each person be tempted to sin as was Eve by the Serpent, so that some would sin and die and others not? If there is to be a perfect world free of sin and death, it seems that God must change man, and so make him into a being where sin is not possible.

They continue:

"One day, the Lord will again set up a “utopia,” the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1). Eden will be restored, and “no longer will there be any curse” (Revelation 22:3). Those who have trusted in Christ will live forever with Him, and the “utopia” they enjoy will never end, because they will no longer have a sinful nature."

True, but the new heavens and earth of the Millennial age are not the same as the new heavens and earth of the endless ages to follow. In the new heavens and earth of the Millennium there will still be sinful natures among those who enter it as mortals, and the curse of death. It is not till we reach the endless ages following the Millennial that we find no more curse and no more death. Of course, we will look more closely at these questions in the chapters ahead.

They continue:

"A utopian society is something that mankind naturally longs for. We all sense, on some level, that the world is broken as it is, and we all yearn to fix it. But it takes a perfect Being to create a perfect society, and that is why all man-made utopias are doomed to failure from the start. We need more than careful planning, lofty philosophies, and social reforms; we need our Creator. In humility, acknowledging our own brokenness, we turn to Christ and His perfection. In gratitude, praising the Lord, we trust the One who will someday turn the whole world into a Utopia for His glory."

That is certainly true. However, we are still faced with the question, as yet unanswered; just what will Christ do that will change everything? Will the creation of a Utopia or Paradise on earth require supernatural power? Why can't the Lord just give us now the power and wisdom to create such a utopia? Further, how will supernatural or magical powers be used towards making men and women into people incapable of sinning?  

In "Utopia: Is the Perfect World a Possibility?" by Gabriel Sanchez (See here) we have some things said that are worth citing at this time. She wrote (emphasis mine):

"Politics has always been about making promises to change what's broken. But is it possible to mend all the harm there is? And is utopia a real possibility?"

That is where we are focusing attention. Is utopia a real possibility?

Sanchez says further:

"By analyzing the many utopias that have existed, we will answer the question that everybody has asked themselves at one point or another: is the perfect world a possibility?"

She then says:

"Thomas More, a British philosopher, released in 1516 On the Best State of a Republic and on the New Island of Utopia. The name of the island originates from the forging of two Greek words, “ou” (no) and “topos” (place). Just like that, the term utopia was born. On its surface, utopia describes worlds and cities that aspire to be perfect, but underneath, it cheats itself, as the place that does not exist. As much credit as the Catholic saint deserves, if we are to deep-dive into the perfect society, the island of Utopia must take a step back and allow for the first-ever proposition of nowhere land."

It is an appropriate title to affirm that man has never created a perfect world, a utopia or paradise on earth, for there has never been a utopia and so it is only an ideal, a fiction, or a place in nowhere land (being a "pipe dream"). Yes, Eden was such, but it was only enjoyed a very short while and by only two people. The utopian world of Star Trek and their ilk in cinema is not real, it existing only in the imagination.  

She then says:

"Controversial as it may seem in today’s political climate, it was Plato’s Republic that initially described how a proper society must function. In his utopian vision, Plato constructed an ideal state based on his soul trifecta, which professed every human soul was composed of appetite, courage, and reason. In his republic, there were three categories of citizens: artisans, auxiliaries, and philosopher-kings, each of whom possessed distinct natures and capacities.

Artisans were dominated by their appetites and therefore destined to produce material goods. Auxiliaries were ruled by courage in their souls and possessed the spirit necessary to protect the state from invasion. Philosopher-kings had souls in which reason reigned over courage and appetite, and for that reason, they possessed the foresight and knowledge to rule wisely.

On the other hand, the island of Utopia was much more thorough in its composition and set of rules with a traced map included. Utopia had 54 cities, where all except for the capital were identical. Everything was public, and there was no private property. All houses and towns were of the same size, and to avoid sentimentalism, everybody had to move each passing decade. Everybody made their clothes identically. The only possible difference was between the clothes of men and women.

People were assigned two slaves per household. Everybody worked six hours per day, and if by any chance there were surpluses, labor hours were shortened. At eight past midday, there was a curfew, and everybody had to sleep eight hours. Education was meritocratic. If someone could perform a discipline they did, on the contrary, it was prohibited because they would not be contributing their best to the community.

Both More and Plato presented their utopias more like an essay or trial. They dealt only with the rules and standards of their world but had little regard to how human interactions would be during their perfected societies."

Again, as stated in previous chapters, what the perfect world would look like varies from person to person.

In the introduction to More's Utopia are these words (see here):

"The design of Utopia" was no doubt suggested by the Atlantis of Plato. The intention of Sir Thomas More is to set forth his idea of those social arrangements whereby the happiness and improvement of the people may be secured to the utmost extent of which human nature is susceptible. Experience proves that many of his suggestions are indeed Utopian. In his imaginary island, for instance, all are contented with the necessaries of life; all are employed in useful labor; no man desires, in clothing, any other quality besides durability; and since wants are few, and every individual engages in labor, there is no need for working more than six hours a day. Neither laziness nor avarice finds a place in this happy region; for why should the people be indolent when they have so little toil, or greedy when they know that there is abundance for each? With much that is Utopian, however, the work contains many sound suggestions. Thus, instead of severe punishment of theft, the author would improve the morals and condition of the people, so as to take away the temptation to crime; for, says he, if you suffer your people to be ill-educated, and their manners to be corrupted from their infancy, and then punish them for those crimes to which their first education disposed them, what else is to be concluded from this, but that you first make thieves and then punish them?" 

Notice the words "secured to the utmost extent of which human nature is susceptible." But, what is possible and not possible in regard to human nature? Is it possible for people to live and act each day, in close connection  with their fellowmen, without ever sinning? Could Cain and Abel compete against each other without anger, jealousy, cursing, etc.? Could they each have wives without lusting after the wives of others? 

The introduction continues:

"In Utopia, we are told, war is never entered on but for some gross injury done to themselves, or, more especially, to their allies; and the glory of a general is in proportion, not to the number, but to the fewness of the enemies whom he slays in gaining a victory. Criminals are generally punished with slavery, even for the greatest misdeeds, since servitude is no less terrible than death itself; and, by making slaves of malefactors, not only does the public get the benefit of their labor, but the continual sight of their misery is more effectual than their death to deter other men from crime. It is one of the oldest laws of the Utopians, that no man ought to be punished for his religion-"it being a fundamental opinion among them, that a man cannot make himself believe anything he pleases; nor do they drive any to dissemble their thoughts by threatenings, so that men are not tempted to lie or disguise their opinions among them; which, being a sort of fraud, is abhorred by the Utopians." Every man may endeavor to convert others to his views by the force of amicable and modest argument, without bitterness against those of other opinions."

As asked earlier, what will Christ and the saints do to make the world a better place? If there are still sports, what will keep teams from not giving place to wrath? If people marry and have families, what will keep them from sinning by lust and sexual sin? These are the kinds of questions we will seek to answer in the remaining chapters. 

Things To Do

So, let us ask ourselves as Christians what we will do under Christ to make the world into a garden of Eden once again? What things will be done in preparation for the Millennium? What will be done first when the Lord and his saints are in charge?

1. Rid the world of all wicked souls so that only the meek remain (which would be the children who survive the day of the Lord's coming and his attending judgments and meek older ones who did not give allegiance to the beast or Antichrist and aided Christians and Jews). This division of living people at the end of the day of tribulation and wrath is described in the division of the sheep and goat nations of Matthew twenty five, as we have observed in previous chapters, but is also described in other places, such as in the parable of the harvest of the wheat and the tares of Matthew thirteen. This would be a "purge" much like that which occurred by the flood in the days of Noah.

2. Remove things, such as all harmful things, as nuclear waste, and cleaning up the world of its trash and junk. Clean up the waters. Clean up the cities. How much of this will be effected by workers and how much by divine power is a matter for deeper thought. 

3. Create a new source of energy and transportation. How much of this age's needs will be a result of supernatural powers given to its rulers and used by the inhabitants of the planet? Will there still be airplanes and automobiles and telephones? 

4. Create laws and government and a police force. 

5. Set up those institutions necessary for society.

Questions

1. How will rust and decay be dealt with? Will bridges, buildings, and streets still need constant maintenance?

2. Will there still be disputes between people? How will they be handled? 

3. What will the education system look like? What subjects will be taught? Will all speak the same language? How will career choices be decided? 

4. Will there be private property in real estate? Will all be equally rich? Will all receive the same wages? Will there be social stratification? Will rewards be based upon meritocracy? 

5. Will there still be exploration, invention, and new discovery, and scientific increase in knowledge?

6. Will children still play games? Will people still do things for fun? Or, for recreation?

7. How will human waste and garbage be managed?

8. How will a single individual live life from day to day?

We will investigate these things in the next chapters.