An Oft Misunderstood Text

This is one of the most misinterpreted texts in all the bible. Part of the problem is with the above translation. This verse is not saying that if godly parents raise their children in the way of the Lord, then they will not depart from it, even when they are old. But, it does not reflect reality and cannot therefore be the right interpretation. The fact is, many godly people in the bible who trained up their children in the right way, still had children who did not follow in that way throughout their lives and died in that state. 

Josh Niemi, in a recent Internet article (see here) wrote the following on this oft misinterpreted text (emphasis mine):

"Proverbs 22:6 is not a promise that your children will return to the Lord if you raise them right. It's a warning that if you coddle your child's sinful tendencies, you will raise a financial fool."

I totally agree with this proposition.

He says further:

"Proverbs 22:6 stands as perhaps one of the most beloved of all parenting verses in Scripture, stating, “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.” This verse has been used to provide hope for an untold number of parents who find themselves grieving over a wayward son or daughter, as it is understood to be a promise that their child will ultimately return to the Lord. And who wouldn’t want such encouragement? The grief of seeing anyone far from the Lord is heartbreaking enough; it’s compounded when it’s your own son or daughter. 

 

But here’s the truth: Proverbs 22:6 also stands as one of the most misunderstood and misused verses in Scripture, right up there with Matthew 7:1 (“Judge not!”) and Philippians 4:13 (“I can do all things!”). With so much emotional and spiritual weight hanging on this one proverb, it’s worth setting the record straight. After all, not only should we strive to glorify God in our handling of His Word, but we also want to make sure that our lives can profit from this verse—which means we need to get it right. 

 

So, what is this passage actually telling us? And how should we train up our children in light of it?"

Agreed.

He says further:

"The question then becomes, What kind of instruction is given to the child? This is where most of the misunderstanding is.

Survey most English translations and you’ll see the phrase “…in the way he should go” as the basis or standard of instruction. But, as Dan Phillips points out, a literal translation would actually say “on the mouth of his way,” which is a Hebrew way of saying “according to his will.” That’s because the dictates of the mouth express the desires of the will (cf. Matt. 12:34, Luke 6:45). In fact, if you check the footnotes of the New American Standard Bible, you’ll see the translators note that the phrase could be rendered “according to his way.”

In addition, though, we see that a vast majority of English versions put the modifier “should” in front of the word “go,” which implies a moral quality to the instruction. Here again is a problem.

Dan Phillips addresses this:

This flaw is nearly fatal, all by itself. It is simply this: Solomon provided no modifier beyond the pronoun. That’s right. There is nothing in the Hebrew text—not one word, syllable, jot or tittle—that corresponds to or justifies the “should go” that most translations insert. The only word that modifies “way” is the pronominal suffix meaning “his” (darko). This is a simple fact of reading, not an interpretive assertion.[6]

In other words, this passage isn’t about raising a child according to the way he “should” go. Solomon wasn’t talking about the way a child ought to be trained up (which would obviously be in accordance with God’s Law). It’s unfortunate that the translators felt comfortable inserting that word when it weighs so heavily on the interpretation. With that in mind, the next question you might be thinking is, Then according to whose way was Solomon speaking? With only one person preceding the pronoun “his,” we can conclude that Solomon was speaking of training up a child according to the child’s way (in grammatical terms, “child” is the nearest referent/antecedent).

So, what does it look like to train up a child according to the child’s way? Truth be told, it doesn’t take much searching of Scripture to determine what a child’s way is like. In fact, in the exact same section—only nine verses later—Solomon said this: “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child” (Prov. 22:15). Using the same Hebrew word na’ar, he described a child’s heart just as we would expect it to be as a result of the Fall: depraved, sinful, naive, and ultimately… foolish.

Taken together then, Solomon essentially said, “Train up a child according to his own foolish way…” From that phrasing alone, what’s clear is that this is not intended to be a heartwarming proverb, but a heart-warning proverb. Rather than soul-settling, it’s soul-sobering. The conditional clause makes it clear that this is the beginning of a caution, not a comfort. Whereas the biblical parent raises his child according to God’s way, the negligent parent goes along with his child’s way."

Well, I couldn't have said it better myself. This is what I am sure is the right interpretation of the text.

He says further:

"So, how does Solomon’s warning end? What will happen if a parent raises a child according to the child’s own sinful tendencies? 

 

“…Even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

The phrase “even when” represents a hypothetical situation, better understood as “even if…”[7] According to Solomon, since fools often die young, it’s rare that one manages to live to old age (cf. Prov. 10:21, 11:19, et. al.). Next, the pronoun “he” once again refers back to the child, indicating the same subject is in view. Finally, the “it” (a neuter feminine pronoun) refers to the situation in the first clause: living according to his own foolishness.[8] 

Putting it all together: Even if the child manages to grow old, he will not depart from his own foolish way.

If a child is trained up according to his way (raised how he wants, a way that coincides with his natural fallenness), Solomon warns us that the child will not simply “grow out of it,” but will instead maintain his futile thinking on into adulthood. (Prov. 29: 15)" 

Well, amen. People need to know that this is the right interpretation of the text.

Our author concludes:

"In any area of life, if you let your child’s immature heart pilot the ship, don’t be surprised when it capsizes."

What think ye?

When Stones Speak

 As we come to a most solemn time of year, the time of year when Jesus would carry the largest burden anyone has ever carried, I was reading in Luke 19:40, where Jesus had entered Jerusalem, in what we call Palm Sunday. For some reason, I had never connected the dots as to the literality of Jesus' words.

Jesus had entered the city with the crowds waving palms, welcoming Him as King as he rode on a donkey. The Pharisees rebuked Jesus and told him to rebuke his disciples for their adoration and praise of him. Jesus made a curious statement saying, "I tell you, that if they remain silent, these very stones would cry out". While Jesus was talking about the events of that specific day, I believe he was talking about the future as well. There was coming  another time later that week, where there would be silence from his disciples, and the crowds that had praised him, would also be silent. What began with praise would soon turn into condemnation. The next few days Jesus was where we have all been at one time, between great joy and on the way to great sorrow.

Behind him was his sermons, in front of him his suffering.

Behind him his parables, in front of him his passion.

Behind him his suppers of fellowship in front of him his supper of betrayal.

Behind him the delights of galilee, in front of him dark gethsemane.

Behind him raising of  palms, in front of him the ridicule of a purple robe.

Prophecy would now become practice.

But what about those stones Jesus spoke about? In Matthews Gospel in chapter 27, he tell us that when Christ died, the earth shook, the rocks split open, and the tombs of many saints were opened. Keep in mind that tombs were made of stone. So had Jesus actually predicted the earthquake that occurred when he died? I believe so! His disciples were silent and hidden. The cheering crowds had disappeared. The greatest miracle that had ever come to this planet had just happened, the miracle of God's overwhelming love, and undeserved grace  had just been shown to the world. The world rejected it, so the very stones had cried out! Some stones cried out in mourning as rocks were split, while other stones cried out in victory as tombs were split open, giving resurrection life to saints that had died. Three days later, another stone would cry out amid darkness and silence, the very stone that had sealed Jesus in the tomb, for it was rolled away like lightning, as the Roman guards fell down like dead men!

So do stones speak? I believe they do. The sad thing about that, is that when they speak, it's because we are silent. When they speak, it's because we have become hard in our heart. I am reminded of something Charles Spurgeon once said. When speaking of Christ's death he said "Yet they were rent at the sight of Christ's death. Men's hearts did not respond to the agonizing cries of the dying Redeemer, but the rocks responded. He did not die for rocks. Yet rocks were more tender than the hearts of men, for whom he shed His blood."

When that stone cried out in praise, as it was rolled away from the tomb, there were no disciples there to hear it. The only ones who heard, were the ones who were there to keep the stone in place, the Roman guards. What a shame that the only ones to hear that stone cry out and roll away, were there to keep it from crying out. This tells me, that I don't ever want to hear any stones crying out! For when they do, it means I have been silent!

                                                                                                   

Carry The Blessed Gospel

Recently I posted a link to a singing video of a good song by the Mylon Hayes family (see here). Well, here is another by them, one which I sent to a few others by email (as I regularly do), and one which my Hardshell brothers need to hear as respects the message. 

It is titled "Carry The Glorious Gospel" (listen to it here). I hope you practice what is preaches.

"How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, 

and bring glad tidings of good things!"

(Romans 10: 14)

Prayers Needed

My wife still needs your prayers since she came off ventilation in January. I also particularly need your prayers as I am in bad shape with enlarged heart and chest pains. The doctors are running many tests to find out what is going on. I am losing weight quickly, and I have no appetite. I stay in bed nearly all the time and is the reason for my not continuing my writing. More tests are ongoing. Pray that they find the cause. I had a heart stress test done and it shows low probability for another coronary blockage. My blood pressure is being addressed. Having some kidney problems (just like father). 

If I die of congestive heart failure, I want all to know that I will be waiting on the other side of Jordan for all of you, and I will be with Jesus. Hallelujah. 

NAGALAND : FROM HEADHUNTERS TO BAPTISTS

 Several years ago I heard about the nation of Nagaland. It is situated between India and Burma, and although a "protectorate" of India, it considers itself a sovereign nation, with its own constitution, laws, police and schools. The people are from more than 18 different tribes, with none of them being related to Indians ethnically and each having their own language. So what makes this place worth writing about?

In 1859 Edward Clark was ordained a Baptist minister, after marrying his wife, Mary in 1858. He had an encounter with Christ at age 14, received baptism at a Baptist church, declaring at an early age that he would follow wherever Christ would lead him. In 1871 he went to Nagaland with his wife, after losing their only child, a daughter. They would remain in Nagaland for the rest of their lives.

In 1872, Clark baptized 15 converts, the first Christians of any type in Nagaland. The country was made up of indigenous tribes, all of which practiced some sort of animist religion, and  practicing headhunters. So why was Clark the first Christian missionary to go to Nagaland? It is because he was the first brave enough to go! At that time Nagaland was technically a conquered territory of the British Empire, but the Anglicans declined to evangelize the area because of how remote and dangerous it was. Any foreigner ran the risk of losing his head, and the heads of a white person was prized above all others, as it was thought to give the warrior special power. Those 15 converts were marked for death by the local tribesmen, as they had abandoned the religion of their ancestors. God's providence prevailed, and Clark gained more and more converts, baptizing 190 in 1905. Headhunting was still practiced by some as late as the  1960's,  but after 1970 all 18 tribes had become more than 90% Christian. After the Baptists had made Nagaland safe, other groups filtered in, but none gained a strong foothold among the people. Today 90% of Nagaland is Christian, and more than 80% are Baptists. Think  of these statistics. The U.S. state Mississippi  is 55% "Baptist", while Nagaland is over 80%, and all this happened in a span of less than 100 years!

When Nagaland declared its independence, it  affirmed in the preamble to its Constitution, the sovereignty of God and the entrustment of the nation to Him. If by the grace of God, southeast Asia and China ever rids itself of communism, Nagaland is poised and praying to "conquer" the hearts of the people for Jesus! Nagaland has the largest Christian church of any kind , with a weekly attendance of over 10,000, the Sumi Baptist Church in Zunheboto. Many churches in the remote regions, still sing with no instruments, and sound amazingly like an old country Baptist church here in the USA. 

What do I want us to see in this? I want us to see what a truly Christian nation looks like. Not a theocracy by law, but a Monarchy of Grace! See this video made during the lockdown of COVID. The capitol city's police force stand in the streets singing, "When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder I'll Be There" and "Are You Washed In the Blood"! See here,  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYfFyUqn3Ak. In the next video, you can watch a news story of Easter celebrations in Nagaland. Notice how respectful the reporter is, even referring to the Savior as "the LORD Jesus Christ"! Also notice the woman who actually declares the Gospel in her prayer, without being censored. Do you think any newscast in the USA would ever show that kind of respect? Watch here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHrIMJejpDk

In closing, let us be reminded that God will always have a people. We are nothing special, and if we abandon God, as current trends suggest, He has "others not of this fold". Praise the Name of the Lord!

Beliefs about the Afterlife (LIII)

“He who overcomes shall inherit all things, 

and I will be his God and he shall be My son." 

(Rev. 21: 7)

"the promise of eternal inheritance" 

(Heb. 9: 15)

"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth" 

(Matt. 5: 5)

The kingdom is essentially connected with the new heavens and earth and with the time when the children of God receive their inheritance, which as we have seen, occurs after the rapture of living believers and the resurrection of the bodies of the saved dead. This is when saints receive their full inheritance and "inherit all things." This is also when the kingdom of God and heaven have fully come. Needless to say, these are fascinating things to muse upon! 

Not until the present heavens and earth are destroyed by fire, as previously focused upon in this series, will the new heavens and earth come into being. The fire is intended to purge the heavens and earth. The inheriting of the earth, mentioned in the above texts, is obviously yet future. Further, the new heavens and earth of the first age of the ages of the ages (i.e. the thousand years of Revelation chapter twenty) is not the new heavens and earth of Revelation chapter twenty one, but rather are the new heavens and earth of Isaiah and the prophets (as we have previously seen from scripture). 

When Christ comes he will end this age, and this earth and heavens, and make great changes to the environment, to nature and to the physics of things. It will be the time when the dead bodies of all the saved will come forth from the dust and be regenerated or made to live again, as we have seen and upon which we will have more to say. It is when they will become immortal in their entire being and be in an immutable and blessed holy state from which they will not be able nor desirous of changing. 

This kingdom of heaven on earth will be in many ways a magical kingdom in that many displays of supernatural power will be at work in the millennial age and in the ages that follow. But, more on that later.

Children of God will inherit everything? How great an exaltation for sinners is that? That has not yet occurred, as we will see. Believers in Christ do receive a "partial payment" or "deposit" in the receiving of the Holy Spirit, but it is only a small portion of the whole, as we will see.

The Inheritance of the Saints

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (I Peter 1: 3-5)

The Apostle Peter affirms a number of things about the inheritance of the children of God. 

First, he says that the inheritance is for those who have been born again, i.e. for people who are born to it. So Paul wrote, saying "the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children." (II Cor. 12: 14 kjv) God the Father likewise has laid up a great inheritance for his begotten children, begotten by being united to Christ by faith and repentance, or by evangelical conversion. This is in keeping with the teaching of Christ to Nicodemus, in John chapter three, who likewise taught that one must be born again of the Spirit in order to see or enter the kingdom of God, or inheriting it, together with the earth and heavens, yea, of all things, with which it is connected. (3: 1-7) 

Second, he affirms that the inheritance is "incorruptible" (not perishable) and "undefiled" (without pollution, either moral or physical; the Greek word is only used here), and "does not fade away" (Greek word only used here; the inheritance will not rust, erode, or in any way deteriorate). The inheritance is secure and cannot be lost. The idea is that the inheritance will last forever. It will not be able to be squandered as the Prodigal Son did his inheritance. (See Luke 15: 11-32)

Barnes in his commentary on the meaning of the inheritance being "undefiled" says: "it will not be such as will corrupt the soul, or tempt to extravagance, sensuality, and lust, as a rich inheritance often does here; it will be such that its eternal enjoyment will never tend in any manner to defile the heart." 

Third, the inheritance is viewed as not yet received, being viewed as yet future, the believer now having a down payment. The inheritance is "reserved in heaven." It will be "revealed in the last time." 

Fourth, the inheritance stored up in heaven is what is given equally to all those begotten of God. However, there are greater treasures and rewards for those believers who did "lay up treasures in heaven" (Matt. 6: 19-21) as they lived their lives for Christ. 

Fifth, the inheritance is "reserved in heaven"; The word "reserved" is from the Greek word "tēreō" and Vine says it means "to keep, to guard," is translated "to be kept in charge," in Act 24:23; 25:4, RV (AV, "kept")." The idea is that the inheritance is secure, protected, and cannot be lost. It is the same idea that Jesus had in mind when he said:

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matt. 6: 19-21KJV)

The Bank of Heaven is the safest place to put spiritual treasures. Direct your thoughts and longings toward heaven. All activities for Christ bring lasting reward, over and above the inheritance common to all God's children. If all the children receive the same inheritance, then no one has more reward than another? No, the rewards will be in addition to the common inheritance. They will add nothing to the inheritance, but will give those rewarded greater recognition and trophies. In earlier chapters we saw how each believer will receive his own reward according to his own labor, as the scriptures testify. (I Cor. 3: 8) 

In the following text, the apostle Paul speaks of reward in the same breath as inheritance.  

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ." (Col. 3: 23-24)

So, is the inheritance a reward? Is it earned by serving the Lord as the context suggests? John Gill in his commentary wrote (emphasis mine):

"...and besides, there is no manner of proportion between: the best services of the saints, and eternal glory: to which may be added, that eternal life is the free gift of their heavenly Father to them, and is here called an inheritance, which never becomes the property of servants in a way of merit, but is the portion of children, from their Father's good pleasure. Wherefore the heavenly glory is such a reward as that it is an "inheritance"; or, as the Syriac version renders it, "in an inheritance"; it lies in an inheritance, an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, that fades not away, reserved in the heavens; and which is not got by industry, or obtained by the works of the law, nor bought with a price, but is a free bequest of God as a Father to his children; for an inheritance is peculiar to children, and this to the children of God, as these believing servants were; and which comes to them by and through the death of the testator; and it may be called an inheritance, because the heavenly glory is substantial, it is substance, a better and a more enduring substance than any inheritance in this world; and is a very plentiful possession and estate, it consists of all things, yea, God himself is the portion of his people, and they that are his children are heirs of God; there is not only a glory, but riches of glory, a plenty, a fulness of it in this inheritance; the way in which they come by it, is receiving it from Christ; "of the Lord ye shall receive it". It is in a way of receiving, and so by gift, as a man can receive nothing but what is given him; and as all grace is in a way of receiving, and therefore boasting in it is excluded, so glory is enjoyed in the same way, and from the same hands, even from Christ, the righteous Judge, that will give it; it is in him they obtain this inheritance, and are in him chosen and predestinated unto it; it is by his resurrection from the dead, and in consequence of it, that they through the power of his Spirit and grace are begotten unto it; it is his grace that makes them meet for it; and he has it in his hands for them; he is a feoffee in trust on their behalf, and is able to give it to them; and will at the last day introduce them into the full possession of it." 

Yes, it is a reward for being a child of God. It is a reward that Christ earned for his people and freely gives to them who believe in him. In one sense, it is reward, for it is given to those who are the servants of Christ, and is what makes all duty for Christ worth it all. However, in another sense, it is not reward, for it is all a result of God's gifting, workmanship, and grace. 

"Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” (Luke 14: 12-14 nkjv)

Heaven, and eternal life and bliss, makes all labors for Christ and for righteousness worth it all. So Paul reasoned with the persecuted Christians, saying: "for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven." (Heb. 10: 34 nkjv)

Though there is loss of reward, and of goods and possessions, in this life, yet not in the life to come. The Greek word for "substance" is "yparxis." It is used only two times, once translated as "goods" (Acts 2: 45) and as "substance" here. It denotes "possessions, goods, wealth, property." Strong says it means "existency or proprietorship, i.e. (concretely) property, wealth:—goods, substance." They represent the totality of "things which God has prepared for those who love him." (I Cor. 2: 9)

The texts at the heading of this chapter speak of the magnitude of the inheritance of the children of God. Everything belongs to them. They are "joint heirs with Christ" (Rom. 8: 17 kjv). Since he, as the Son of God incarnate, and as risen from the dead, is "the heir" (Matt. 21: 38, Mark 12: 7), "the heir of all things" (Heb. 1: 2), those who are his, by birth of the Spirit, are also "heirs of all things." 

So, we may conclude that eternal bliss and wealth comes from being united to Christ by a living faith, and which is symbolized in being married. When a wife marries her husband, all that he owns becomes her's by virtue of her betrothal. So they say to each other "With this ring, I thee wed, and all my worldly goods I thee endow." All the "goods" the believer will possess and enjoy throughout eternity are a result of this union and of the fact that Christ, the husband of every believer, is infinitely rich.

Questions

1. Does this mean that there will be no private property in the ages to come?

2. Will any have his or her own private domiciles or estates?

3. Will there be privacy of any kind? 

4. Being so rich, what will keep saints from being corrupted by heaven's treasures?

These are questions that deserved further investigation as we progress in this study.

Earnest of the Inheritance

"In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory." (Eph. 1: 11-14 KJV)

Notice from these inspired words what is said about the future eternal inheritance of believers. First, it is viewed as future, although an "earnest" of it is received in the lives of believers. Second, the greater part of the inheritance waits "until the redemption of the purchased possession" (full inheritance and full redemption are received in the resurrection day).  

Other translations render "earnest" as:

"who is a first installment of our inheritance" (Nasb) 

"the down payment of our inheritance" (Holman) 

"who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it" (ESV) 

When people sign a contract to buy a piece of real estate, they will give to the seller a down payment, or earnest money, to be held by the seller as a guarantee that the buyer will complete the deal by paying the full amount at a future specified date. The buyer agrees that if he does not pay that amount at such time, then the earnest money is forfeited to the seller. In the text above, God is the one acting as a buyer, or guarantee (surety), in his promises made to believers. He promises the believer an eternal rich inheritance and to guarantee its fulfillment he gives the believer the Holy Spirit, as a pledge that the inheritance is safe and reserved for each believer.

In the same chapter Paul speaks of "the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints" (vs. 18). In the ages to come, God's redeemed people will be rich lords, judges, priests, and kings. They will rule and they will enjoy. Elsewhere he also speaks of "the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." (Col. 1: 12-14)

People of Adam's fallen race partake of the inheritance of the saints in light by having been converted, saved, and born again. This is when they were initiated into the Kingdom, a kingdom which is mostly yet future. This is a description of the eternal state of those who have been fully redeemed in the day of redemption when Christ returns. 

What we have established is that "inheriting the kingdom" and obtaining "eternal inheritance" at the resurrection and return of Christ are bonded together. What we are investigating is what all is included in this great inheritance.

Everyone who enters the coming millennial age under Christ in the kingdom of heaven and of God will spend part of their time in worship of God and communing with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. No doubt there will be stated times for various groups to meet for time of praise and worship and for a time to learn more of the ways of the Lord. 

There will also no doubt be times when the redeemed are able to do whatever they want in pleasurable pursuits. Whether this involves enjoying the arts, sports, games, or physical pleasures, yet awaits further investigation and musing.

There will also be times for them to perform their duties to the nations as God ordained priests, kings, lords, and judges. They will be the rulers, and be served by the nations over whom they rule. They will serve and be served when they enter into the joy of eternity. Of these things we will have some more to say in upcoming chapters. 

In a recent chapter in this series, we began with a list of questions about the new heavens and earth. One of them, number nine, queried - "Where will the resurrected children of God live in the new heavens and earth?" Answer: In the new heavens and earth, but specially in the New Jerusalem. About that we will have more to say. We will also look further into the question already queried which asks "How will they be involved with the ongoing human race?" 

To answer these questions requires some amount of time to inquire deeply into the scriptures that are connected with the subjects of those fascinating questions. Stay tuned as we ascend higher in our contemplations of life in eternity for the redeemed.

An Inspiring Song

"When Morning Sweeps the Eastern Sky" as sung by the famous Mylon Hayes Family. (Listen here)

This song affirms what I have been affirming from scripture in my series on the afterlife and on life in eternity. Here are the words. 

Christ is coming back to reign upon the earth again,
The saints are looking forward to the morning by and by.
We will have no Satan and no sorrow, fear, or pain.
When morning sweeps across the eastern sky.

Oh happy day in glory when morning sweeps the sky.
I'll bid the world and its sorrow goodbye (Oh, hallelujah)
Saints that are here will be caught up in the air
When morning sweeps across the eastern sky.

I'll be in the rapture with the ones who are supreme (or set free)
The saints to the morning glory by and by
What a happy meeting, what a mighty jubilee,
When morning sweeps across the eastern sky.

Oh happy day in glory when morning sweeps the sky.
I'll bid the world and its sorrow goodbye (Oh, hallelujah)
Saints that are here will be caught up in the air
When morning sweeps across the eastern sky.

Friends, I hope you can rejoice in these things.

Beliefs about the Afterlife (LII)

In the preceding chapters we spoke of what it means for Christ to be here on earth and welcomed as king and when his kingdom is realized in new heavens and new earth in the ages to come, including the coming Millennial age of Revelation chapter twenty. We showed that the miracles and supernatural works that Christ performed while on earth, during the time of his public ministry, are miniature examples of what life will be like in the coming ages. 

The Kingdom's Presence On Earth, in the person of King Jesus, will effect the very things that Christ was doing through his many miracles. 

Some of the miracles of Christ involved healing of every sickness and disease. To the extent that people were healed to that extent the kingdom was realized. In the Millennial age, and in the ages that follow, healing and excellent health will be the norm. On that we will elaborate further as we study more on civilization in the Millennial time of the kingdom and in the ages following in John's vision of new heavens and earth, particularly on picturing the lives of the glorified redeemed in the city of God, New Jerusalem. 

Some other miracles involved raising the dead. This too is what awaits the coming of Christ when all the righteous dead will be raised and their bodies, made glorious, will be reunited with their spirits, and have bodies incapable of infirmity or weakness or death. On that extensive part of this study, in upcoming chapters, we will study how resurrected believers will have immortal bodies and supernatural gifts and powers. 

Other miracles of Christ involved wonderful manifestations of omnipotence in the physical world, turning water into wine, multiplying loaves and fishes, cursing a fig tree, walking on water, etc. These abilities will be at work in the ages to come. The natural and the supernatural will not be so separated then as now. 

Further, other miracles of Christ involved the casting out of demons, of rebuking them, and controlling their doings. In the cleansing of the heavens they will be rid of every evil spirit. To the extent this work of Christ was advancing while he was here on earth, to that extent the kingdom of God had literally come. Christ's miracles were demonstrations of what the kingdom of God being present on earth will mean for the earth and for its occupants. This we showed earlier in this series. 

J.A. Seiss in "The Apocalypse" (Lecture forty eight - see here; emphasis mine)

"The regeneration is the making of Christ’s miracles universal. The miracles of Christ were the preintimations and beginning of the great Regeneration to come, and the new creation is simply those miracles carried out into universal effect."

It is in the Millennial Age that the saved of all the nations (up to the time of Christ' return) will see such a renewed world, one being exemplified in the miracles of Christ. 

In upcoming chapters we will explore this fact even further, especially when focusing on the abilities of the glorified immortal bodies of the resurrected believers.

Just as there are old testament singular prophecies of the coming Messiah that have a dual fulfillment (1st and 2nd comings), so too of the prophecies of new heavens and earth (Millennial and the ages thereafter), and of the prophecies of the coming of Elijah (John the Baptist and Elijah personally).

Amillennialists will often cite scriptures from the new testament which state that believers are said to be in the kingdom, and the kingdom in them, by their being incorporated into the visible church, or body of Christ, or else enjoying in some way the kingdom now. But, as we will see further, there is both a present aspect, or initial fulfillment of the kingdom of God, in the lives of Christians and their assemblies, and a future aspect. But, to say that such a present limited enjoyment of the kingdom nullifies a larger future fulfillment of the prophecies being fully realized on earth and in the heavens when Christ comes and begins the Millennial Age is untenable. 

Notice these words of Christ: "But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you." (Matt. 12: 28 nkjv) Christ did not, however, cast out all the demons from our world, from the heavens, when he was here the first time. That will not happen till he comes the second time and binds the chief wicked spirit, Satan, the Old Serpent the Devil, as we saw from Revelation chapters nineteen and twenty. The "kingdom of God" was present with people in the person of the King, Jesus the Son of David and "the second Adam." 

Since the kingdom offer was rejected by the Messiah's covenant people, i.e. the Hebrews, in their rejection of him as their Messiah and King, the offer of the kingdom was withdrawn for the time and postponed until another time, to the time of Christ's return. The Jewish nation, by her leaders and by the majority of the people, said to their Messiah "We will not have this man to reign over us." (Luke 19: 14) Notice also these words of Christ:

"42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’? 43 “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. 44 And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” 45 Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they [h]perceived that He was speaking of them. 46 But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet." (Matt. 21: 42-46 nkjv)

The "nation" to whom it was given are described by the apostle Peter who wrote:

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy." (I Peter 2: 9-10 nkjv)

This chosen generation, royal priesthood, is the same as "holy nation," and in this text does not refer to "Israel after the flesh." (I Cor. 10: 18) They are those who have believed in Christ and made their calling and election sure (II Peter 1: 10). They were not of the people of God before they were called to the Christian faith.

Israel's widespread national acceptance of Christ did not occur at Christ' first coming but will at his second coming. Many prophecies point to a mass conversion of the Jewish nation to Christ when he appears the second time.

"25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own [f]opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be [g]saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; 27 For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.” 28 Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, 31 even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy." (Romans 11: 25-31 nkjv)

This text clearly teaches that an end time conversion of the whole Jewish nation is to be expected, and that it will occur "when the fullness of the Gentiles" has been reached. So, Jesus said: "For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” (Matt. 23: 39 ESV)

Obviously then, there is a sense in which "the kingdom of God" (or "kingdom of heaven") was a present reality when 1) Christ the King was on earth, teaching, healing, etc., and 2) was a reality for individual Christians (Jew and Gentile) in the church or by the gospel. Christ declared the following things in support of this:

"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force." (Matt. 11: 12)

"The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it." (Luke 16: 16)

These texts show that the kingdom of heaven or kingdom of God was in existence during the time of John's and Jesus' ministries. Certainly, as we have seen, it was truly present in the presence of King Jesus and present in the miracles and wonders he performed.

"Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Rom. 14: 16-17 nkjv) 

So, we can affirm, whether we be Amillennial, Postmillennial, or Premillennial, that since we have, to some degree, as believers in Christ, "righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" we must therefore have also the kingdom within us and we within the kingdom. But, the error of some is to think that the present aspect or blessings of the promised kingdom of heaven in the lives of Christians and churches exhausts all that is promised to exist when the kingdom is fully come on earth. This is another case of dual fulfillment. Some kingdom blessings are enjoyed by believers in their lives on earth, in the assemblies of the saints, and in their private walk with the Lord. But, the kingdom blessings received in life by the child of God are only a foretaste, a sample, of what is to come. The best is yet to come when the kingdom of God is fully realized on earth in the lives of the redeemed. 

Future Kingdom

"And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth." (Rev. 5: 9-10 nkjv)

"And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years." (20: 4) 

Amillennialists affirm that this reigning on earth with Christ as kings and judges by the saints is what is being fully experienced in the church or in the lives of believers. But, that is clearly a gross and false opinion. The reigning of the saints spoken of in these texts occurs after the resurrection of the bodies of the saints. That alone is enough to show that the idea of a present fulfillment of the reign of saints in the churches and lives of believers is all there is to it.

"25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, 26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I [k]shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” 27 Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we [l]may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire." (Heb. 12: 25-28 nkjv)

If one says that this prophecy of the saints "receiving a kingdom" is completely fulfilled in conversion, and in the present Christian life, the above text refutes it. The kingdom is not received till the time of the shaking of the heavens and earth, and that is future. 

The present tense verb of the words "are receiving" is a present tense participle. It is I believe what is called a "futuristic present tense." But, even if not, it is still true that believers do receive many things pertaining to the kingdom promised to the little flock in their lives for Christ, and yet will receive the greater part when they reign on earth a thousand years. 

Questions

1. So, what does it mean by the Lord "giving the kingdom"? 

2. Who is the "little flock"? 

3. Are they the only ones who are given the kingdom, or are there others? 

4. When is this kingdom given and when is it received and fully realized? 

5. Who will be the citizens of that kingdom?

6. How is the kingdom of God or Heaven related to the new heavens and earth?

7. How is the kingdom related to receiving the "eternal inheritance"?

8. Where will the resurrected believers live?

9. What will resurrected believers do?

10. What about their individual personas and unique identities?

11. How will glorified believers socialize and rule over the nations?

12. How will lust and natural depravity (original sin) be dealt with?

Some of these questions we have addressed already. Others will be answered in the next chapters.

End Time Prophecy of Human Trafficking

I believe that the ancient city of Babylon, in Iraq (now a suburb of Baghdad), will be rebuilt and be the center for world trade in the coming "new world order" of Antichrist. Babylon, in the Apocalypse, chapters seventeen and eighteen, has two aspects. One is symbolic representation of all false religion since the beginning of the human race ('mystery' Babylon), and the other is a literal city on earth, describing a physical city in Iraq that is the center of world trade in the last days of this present evil age, being commercial Babylon. This is a view shared by many, especially among Premillennialists and Dispensationalists. 

In this short posting, however, I want to focus on what is said about the global Babylonian godless commercial system that will exist in the very last days. Notice these words which describe it:

"1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies." (Rev. 18: 1-3 kjv)

"9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, 10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. 11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: 12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, 13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men." (9-13)  

"...for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. 24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth." (23-24)

Who is meant by "slaves and souls of men"? Who trades in slaves today? Why simply those who traffic in "sex slaves" and such like. Interestingly, the word "slaves" is from the Greek word σωμάτων (sōmatōn) meaning "of bodies." Also, "the word used and rendered "souls" - ψυχὰς psuchas - though commonly denoting the "soul" (properly the "breath" or "vital principle"), is also employed to denote the living thing - the animal - in which the soul or vital principle resides; and hence may denote a person or a man." (Barnes Commentary)

Friends, people are being traded today as chattel and it is so very sad. 

Bengel's Gnomen says:

"the bodies are slaves, used for carrying merchandise or their masters: the souls of men are slaves, in so far as they are in themselves counted as merchandise."

Writes Pulpit Commentary:

"And souls of men. The accusative again. Not in the ordinary acceptation of the word "souls," but rather "lives of men," as the Revised Version margin; that is, "living men." It is probable that the two expressions, "bodies" (vide supra) and "souls of men," refer to two classes of slaves." 

Could this be what we see today in illicit trading of body parts? In selling the DNA of others? Etc.? I think so. What think ye?

P.S. Read Revelation chapter eighteen and see it as a giant supermarket (far bigger than Walmart) on a world wide scale, being the one center of trade between the nations of the world. Notice how meticulously John lists all the products bought and sold. Notice also the merchants of the nations (who control the ships) are the ones who are enriched by this global Babylonian commercial system that is now materializing before our eyes in anticipation of the coming of Antichrist. 

Bible Punctuation Not Inspired

Many Christians do not know that nearly all punctuation in the bible (the exception being the "." - period, which is occasionally in the original text) is added by "translators." Many of the periods which end sentences in the several translations are not in the original however. Likewise, every colon, semicolon, comma, apostrophe, quotation mark, and parenthesis is not in the original text. They are added by translators and is one of the ways wherein translators become interpreters. 

This is why I am not a KJV only advocate, because I assure you that the KJV translators did not always get the punctuation correct, nor do any others. Therefore, it is the responsibility of each bible student to judge for himself or herself which is an enhancement of the text, or correct interpretation, and which leads to a false interpretation of it. There are tremendous debates over where a comma should be! 

(As in the words "I say unto you today you will be with me in paradise", some saying a comma should go after today, and others say a comma should go before "today" and immediately after 'say unto you') 

And, of course, it makes some good bit of difference where the comma is placed, at least for understanding what Jesus meant. I do not argue erroneously by some, who in their zeal to combat the views of the Jehovah's Witnesses and their translation say what is incorrect. These will say that the word "today" cannot be joined to the words "I say unto you" for they say that such language is unnecessary, i.e. for no one who is speaking needs to say to their audience "I am speaking to you today"; But, that is simply not true. We speak that way all the time and it is not always superfluous.

Said one scholarly source who agrees with the idea that "today" is an adverb of the verb "say" and not of the verb "to be" (his whole treatise is worth reading, though I disagree with his belief that the comma should go after "today" but not because it is not possible, but highly unlikely for other reasons - See here)

"A recurrent argument suggests that such a reading cannot be correct for it would make Jesus’s statement pleonas­tic or even “grammatically senseless.”14 This might be true as far as English and other modern languages are concerned, but the NT was written in Greek—not plain Greek, but sometimes a Greek stuffed with Semitic idioms. Luke’s Greek fit into this category, especially in the Gospel, despite the fact that he himself was not a Jew (see Col. 4:10–14). And it has long been demonstrated that the use of “today” with a preceding verb to introduce or close a statement is nothing but a Semitic idiom intended to intensify the significance and solemnity of the statement that either will follow or has just been made.15 

 

In fact, this idiom is rather common in Scripture, especially in Deuteronomy, where there are more than 40 examples of expressions such as, “I teach you today” (4:1), “I set before you today” (11:26), “I give you today” (28:13), “I command you today” (6:6; 7:11; 12:32), “I testify against you today” (8:19), and “I declare you today” (30:18; cf., 4:26; 30:19; 32:46; Acts 20:26; 26:2).16" 

I do believe that Christ is saying that the thief would be in paradise with Christ that very day. But, I do not say it is because of where the comma was placed, but because of other contextual and syntactical reasons. 

Not only is there no punctuation in scripture, there are not both capital letters and small letters, for all was in capitals. There were also what we call "run on sentences" because there was no spaces between words. 

In the original writings of the bible, whether Hebrew or Greek, there was also generally no headings to the books or epistles as today. There were also no numbered verses, or chapters (although the Psalms were numbered) in the original books of the Bible. These were added later. 

As an example of how mistakes were made by Robert Stephens (1551) in his numbering system (which all now use) let me cite these verses from the Gospel of John:

7: 53 - "And every man went unto his own house." (last verse of chapter seven)

8: 1 - "Jesus went unto the mount of Olives." (first verse of chapter eight)

"And every man went unto his own house. Jesus went unto the mount of Olives."

See the difference it makes? Did not anyone invite Jesus home with him?

So, let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. When I read and study the bible I pay attention to these things and I sometimes disagree with a translation over punctuation, and this is especially true with putting things in parentheses. In some texts I think it perhaps should not have been inserted into the text and at other times I would have added a parenthesis. So, be careful in your bible studies in regard to these things.

Beliefs about the Afterlife (LI)

"That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, 

and the elements will melt in the heat." 

(II Peter 3: 12 niv)

There is to be both new heavens and a new earth when Christ returns to inaugurate the Millennial age under the monarchy of the Son of God, as well as in the endless ages that follow. In those infinite ages to come, some things will change, while some things will become immutable and never change.

In the preceding chapters we have first focused mainly on the drastic changes to the earth, to the land, as a result of the end time day of destruction, and then next on the changes to the environment when Christ appears and puts forth omnipotent power in re-creating the earth, into making it a Garden of Eden, a paradise. But, we have not focused much on the creation of new heavens. What does that mean? A new outer space? A new sky and atmosphere? A new dwelling place for the Deity?

Heaven or Heavens?

In earlier chapters, when studying the intermediate state, we wrote at length upon how the word "heaven" (singular) and "heavens" (plural) were used, along with what we observed about Hebrew or Biblical cosmology. We spoke of the three heavens that the apostle Paul spoke about in his second epistle to the Corinthian church (chapter thirteen) and showed agreement with nearly all bible students that by first heaven is intended the lower atmosphere, the place where birds fly (thus the expression "fowl flying in the midst of heaven"), and by the second heaven is intended outer space (thus the expression"stars of heaven"), and by third heaven intended the place where God specially dwells and manifest himself.

In the texts which speak of the perishing of the heavens and earth, it seems that "heavens" is nearly always in the plural. However, Jesus used the singular "heaven" when he spoke of heaven and earth passing away. (See Matt. 24: 35) It seems that the difference is similar to saying "up in the sky" versus "up in the skies." Most word scholars think that the singular "heaven" may be used to denote strictly the place where God specially dwells, or may be used to denote the heavens (plural). The same is true with the word "sea," which is also sometimes singular and sometimes plural (seas). Even "earth" may be plural as when it is translated from Hebrew (eres) or Greek as "lands" in the bible.

The third heaven will never pass away, and be re-created. I know of no bible verse that affirms it. I take it to be the truth that the third heaven cannot be brought to an end, for how can perfection be destroyed? Heaven can therefore not pass away, any more than Almighty God can pass away. Yes, heaven will be expanded, coming down to the lower heavens and earth so that heaven is on earth, but this is not a passing away of heaven or a re-creation of it. The first and second heavens will pass away (Rev. 21: 1), but not the third heaven. 

The Greek word which is often translated as heaven is ouranos. It sometimes refers to the third heaven. But more often it refers to the place where the birds fly. It is sometimes translated as sky, as air, and as heaven. What is meant is the atmosphere around the earth. (See Matt 6:26; 8:20; 13:32; Mark 4:4, 32; Luke 13:19; Acts 10:12; 11:6)

"Firmament" vs "Heavens"

"Firmament" is strictly a translation of the Old Testament Hebrew word "rāqîa" and means "an expanse, i.e. the firmament or (apparently) visible arch of the sky" (Strong). Here is where we first read of God's creation of the firmament:

"Then God said, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters." Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven..." (Genesis 1: 6-8 NKJV).

Another Hebrew scholar wrote (emphasis mine):

"Rāqīaʿ derives from the root rqʿ (רָקַע‎), meaning "stamp, spread out, stretch." "The basic concept in raqa is stamping, as with the foot, and what results, i.e. a spreading out or stretching forth." (Citing "Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament," Harris, Archer,Jr., Waltke, Moody, 1980 - See here)

Said another writer (See here):

"The term "firmament" and its identity has been one of the greatest puzzles concerning the Creation account, mostly because of its Hebrew definition."

The same writer said that the word means - 

"properly, an expanse, i.e. the firmament or (apparently) visible arch of the sky:—firmament. רָקַע raqa` raw-kah' a primitive root; to pound the earth (as a sign of passion); by analogy to expand (by hammering); by implication, to overlay (with thin sheets of metal):—beat, make broad, spread abroad (forth, over, out, into plates), stamp, stretch."

This brings to mind the words of the prophet:

"It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in." (Isa. 40: 22 ESV)

He also wrote:

"Most people interpret this to mean just the expanse of the sky (the atmosphere) or outer space, or both (which it is), but the full meaning goes well beyond that simplistic interpretation. The creation of the firmament is associated with the placement of a defined heavenly structure. Many modern scholars consign the term "firmament" as a relic of a pre-scientific culture and translate the Hebrew word raqia as a "dome" or "vault" in some modern Bibles, but it is rendered as "firmament" in the KJV for good reason. The problem that puzzles people is the implication in the Hebrew language of the firmament being a firm, fixed structure (FIRMament)."

A firmament is an expanse, a middle space, yet a space that is being constantly stretched as a curtain or blanket, covering, etc. As seen in the picture at the heading of this chapter, the firmament encloses the first and second heavens, and separates them from what is above the firmament. It is often viewed as a circular or vaulted ceiling like you would see in an planetarium. 

The prophet Daniel spoke of the righteous shining "as the brightness of the firmament" (Dan. 12: 3). 

So, in conclusion, if there is a new heavens and earth, then there will be a new firmament. Further, it may be stretched even further in the ages to come. What a great God who can stretch out the fabric of the universe! Further, there will be no new third heaven.

Purging of the Heavens

Cleansing involves separation and riddance. Dirt, and all that is filthy, is removed from the object being washed. The regeneration of the whole creation will be a cleansing, a purging. This cleansing or purging will be the result of heavens and earth being cleansed by fire and by being shaken by the Lord. 

So, what about the cleansing of "the heavens"? Of the renewal of the skies, firmament, atmospheres, of the air? Is it simply the removing of toxins and pollution from the air? 

“What is man, that he could be pure? And he who is born of a woman, that he could be righteous? 15 If God puts no trust in His saints, And the heavens are not pure in His sight, 16 How much less man, who is abominable and filthy, Who drinks iniquity like water!" (Job 15: 14-16 nkjv)

Though this was stated by Eliphaz and not by Job, yet it does give an ancient understanding regarding the defilement of the cosmos. 

This purging of the heavens will rid the heavens of Satan and his angels, and of the demons, who now fill the air. That they do occupy the first and second heavens at the present time is affirmed in scripture. Paul wrote:

"11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Eph. 6: 11-12 nkjv)

It is almost a unanimous interpretation of most bible students and teachers that by "spiritual hosts in the heavenly places" is a direct reference to evil spirits or demons who occupy the first and second heavens. The idea is that the skies are filled with wicked spirits, and when the Lord purges the heavens, and makes them new again, he will exorcise them all from the heavens and from influencing the choices of men, and in the Millennium under Christ the heavens will be filled with the Spirit of God and with the celestial spirits of the third heaven. Paul also speaks of the same when he speaks of the devil being “the prince of the power of the air” and "the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience." (Ephesians 2:2)

Wrote Dr. Albert Barnes in his Commentary on these texts (emphasis mine):

"Against spiritual wickedness - Margin, "or wicked spirits." Literally, "The spiritual things of wickedness;" but the allusion is undoubtedly to evil spirits, and to their influences on earth."

"Then the neuter plural of the word is used to denote the heavens; and then the "lower" heavens, the sky, the air, represented as the seat of evil spirits; see the notes on Ephesians 2:2. This is the allusion here. The evil spirits are supposed to occupy the lofty regions of the air, and thence to exert a baleful influence on the affairs of man."

John Gill in his commentary wrote:

"according to the prince of the power of the air: which is not to be understood of any supposed power the devil has over the air, by divine permission, to raise winds, but of a posse, or body of devils, who have their residence in the air; for it was not only the notion of the Jews (m), that there are noxious and accusing spirits, who fly about "in the air", and that there is no space between the earth and the firmament free, and that the whole is full of a multitude of them; but also it was the opinion of the Chaldeans (n), and of Pythagoras (o), and Plato (p), that the air is full of demons: now there is a prince who is at the head of these, called Beelzebub, the prince of devils, or the lord of a fly, for the devils under him are as so many flies in the air, Matthew 12:24 and by the Jews called (q), , "the prince of spirits"; and is here styled, the Spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience..." 

It will be a great day for the earth and its citizens when Satan is bound in the bottomless pit for a thousand years, along with his host of wicked spirits. According to the above verses, Satan and evil spirits are a large reason why there is so much sin in the world. They tempt men, they seduce men. Yes, inward lust, as a result of original sin, can produce sin even when there are no evil spirits present. So James taught when he wrote:

"13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death." (1: 13-15 nkjv)

The apostle Peter said that the new purged and cleansed heavens and earth will be a world "wherein dwells righteousness." Think of a world, with its earth and heavens, filled with holy angelic spirits, rewarding righteousness, and provoking men to do good. Think of the work of the Holy Spirit, and of Christ, in that day who will be writing his laws into the psyche and spirits of men and women! In such a world, sin will not be prevalent but will be under control.

Of course, not only will the heavens be purged of evil spirits, but of all pollution and harm to earth and its new citizens. All the garbage will be removed along with unrepentant wicked men. All that is old and dilapidated will be made new. 

The Mystery of Presence

The bible teaches that God is omnipresent, that is, that his presence is everywhere. There are many bible passages which plainly state this truth about God, but here is one:

"7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me; 12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You." (Psalm 139: 7-12 nkjv)

Notice that God is everywhere, yea, even in hell (Sheol). In the several verses preceding these words, are words that affirm God's omniscience so that the Psalm teaches both the omniscience and the omnipresence of God. Notice them:

 "1 O Lord, You have searched me and known me. 2 You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. 3 You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether." (1-4)

Then, after writing these meditations and beliefs about Creator God, Israel's covenant God Jehovah or Yahweh, the inspired poet wrote:

"Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it." (vs. 6)

Theology is the queen of the sciences, the highest and deepest knowledge. God may be apprehended but he cannot be comprehended. God is greater than we can imagine. 

The Mystery of "Presence"

Wrote famous author and theologian, J.A. Seiss in his book "The Apocalypse" (See here):

"When he left the world, he said to his disciples, "Lo! I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." And lest the promise should be mistaken as belonging to ministers alone, he gave the still further assurance, that where two or three are gathered together in his name, there he is, in the midst of them. I cannot explain to you the method of this presence. Even in things with which we are familiar, there is mystery attaching to what we call presence. We speak of a man as present in a room, and of what transpires in that room as taking place in his presence. But how is he present beyond the immediate space occupied by his body? That his presence extends beyond the few feet marked by the outlines of his physical frame, is a fact which we all feel and realize; but how it is so, we cannot so easily explain. I am present in this audience-chamber. I am as much present to those in the remotest pews, as to those who are in the nearest. And yet, my body is present only in these few feet within the pulpit. Suppose, then, you were to conceive of me as suddenly exalted into a majesty and glory like that of Jesus. Imagine these walls widened out in corresponding proportion. Fancy everything now on the scale of the earthly and human expanded to the scale of the heavenly and glorified. And it may aid you somewhat in conceiving how Christ can be present with all his Churches, and yet occupy a definite space in heaven. The whole world is not as great to him as an ordinary room to us. And if my presence can fill this Church, whilst I keep my place in this pulpit, his presence can certainly fill all his Churches, even from his mysterious celestial location at the right hand of the Father. This, however, is certain, that he is, in some sort, in all his Churches. There is not a member which he does not see and know. There is not a Christian service held, of which we are not authorized to say. The Lord is there. He is in his Churches, not only by his word, by his sacraments, by his ministers, by his authority, power and Spirit; but he is there himself, as the Son of man. He is present as Priest, as Lord, as Judge; and hence in his own proper person, as the Godman. There is another, nearer, and more manifest presence, to be realized when he shall come again; but not more true or real than that by which he is even now in the midst of us. Were these dull, dim senses of ours but unlocked and energized, after the style of that transformation for which the saints are taught to look, we would see our Saviour, present to-night, as really as John saw him "walking in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks." It is a solemn and startling thought; but it is true." (pgs. 75-77; emphasis mine)

"Presence" is another word that is hard to define. It is like trying to define life, death, north, south, etc. There are some things that we judge as being beyond describing in word, even for poets. Paul said he went up into the "third heaven" and heard things "inexpressible" (II Cor. 12: 4), things beyond human vocabulary to fully define or describe. That is also what is included in something being "wonderful," being "beyond imagination" as well as beyond expression. Words are often insufficient. 

So, if someone asks - "how can God be present and absent at the same time and in the same place?"; And, "does not the bible say God is present everywhere and yet also say that God is not present in some places?"; My answer would be "God is everywhere in some sense, but is not present everywhere in another sense."

That answer, of course, cries for a more detailed answer. Paradoxes, and seeming contradictions, often require more than a simple answer or explanation. Some questions cannot be answered easily, quickly, nor simply. 

The Paradox

We see from the opening text that God is everywhere, and that his presence is everywhere. But, we also stated that many verses speak of people not being in the presence of God. Wrote the apostle Paul:

"7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.” (II Thess. 1-7-9)

These verses say that those who go to Hell, go to a place that is away from the presence of the Lord. Further, the psalmist also said that God was even in Hell (sheol). 

There are, therefore, various definitions of "presence." There are also various kinds of presence recognized by philosophers. This is one of the reasons for having adjectives used with the noun "presence." This is also seen as true from the scriptures. Notice these words of Paul:

"For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you (present) in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ." (Col. 2: 5 ESV)

There is thus a physical presence and a non physical presence. There is a spiritual presence, or mental presence. Notice these words of the same apostle:

"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence (Grk. parousia) only, but now much more in my absence (apousia), work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Phil. 2: 12 nkjv)

Here Paul clearly is referring to his physical presence. The Greek word "parousia" is often translated as "coming," being the word used to refer to the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

There is a debate about whether they be any kind of the "presence" of Christ in the Supper or Eucharist. 

Want something to deeply meditate upon? Meditate upon presence, and especially the presence and/or absence of God. There is so much to be studied on this subject, but seeing I have other writing projects, a deeper study of it will have to wait. But, this is a good introduction. 

There are lots of texts that give food for thought and study. Consider that God said to Moses "my presences (plural) will go with you." (Exo. 33: 14) Wrote John Gill in his commentary: "or "my faces shall go" {y}; all the three divine Persons, Father, Son, and Spirit." It is the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek word prosopon (meaning face or countenance). In Hebrew, the literal meaning behind the English translation “Presence of God” is “Face or Faces of God.” The Hebrew word for face (paniym) is usually always in the plural form. 

Though a plural, does it have the meaning of a singular? Such as when one says "up in the sky" versus "up in the skies"? 

“In your presence there is fullness of joy; 

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” 

(Psalm 16: 11)

Beliefs about the Afterlife (L)

"And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return." (Gen. 3: 17-19 ESV)

"Ground" is from the Hebrew word "'ăḏāmâ". The KJV translates it in the following manner: land(s) (125x), earth (53x), ground (43x), country (1x), husbandman (2x), husbandry (1x).

When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, "sin entered the world" (Rom. 5: 12), and God cursed the creation, imputing the sin of man to his physical world and holding the creation responsible vicariously. In other words, there were epochal and disastrous consequences for the earth, sea, sky, animals, vegetation, etc. This curse involved the ground, or earth, so that it became inferior soil for producing vegetation; And, briers and thorns, weeds and thistles, and such like, also now made it a less ideal environment for growing fruit and crops, so as not to yield their fullness. The ground or earth, along with the heavens, have become unholy ground.

The only holy ground on earth is where God's presence has been specially manifested. So, we read God saying to Moses out of the burning bush "take you shoes from off your feet for the ground wherein you stand is holy ground." (Exo. 3: 5) All other places on earth, places where God is absent, withdrawn, or hidden, are unholy and cursed ground. Part of this involved the coming into existence of weeds and thorns, and part in the beginning of rust, rot, and decay. All under the umbrella of "death,""destruction" or "perishing."

I don't believe there was any death, decay, decomposition, rust, corrosion, or any such like, prior to the entrance of sin into the world. These are consequences of the apostasy of the human race through its head and progenitor Adam. Since the time of that transgression and fall the earth is well described by the Lord Jesus Christ when he said: 

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matt. 6: 19-20 nkjv)

Not only are weeds, briers, and thorns, and weakened cursed soil, effects of the apostasy of man, but so too is the coming of moths (perhaps gnats and mosquitoes too, as well as other "pests"). Had Adam and Eve never sinned, and had they had children who did not sin, then there would have been no rust, decay, moths, and no death and degeneration in the world. 

James also wrote in his epistle:

"Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire." (James 5: 1-3 nkjv)

Several words in the above text speak of the kind of decay we are talking about. In that text we have "corrupted," "moth-eaten," "corroded," "corrosion," and "eat" (as in "eat away at"). 

"Corrupted" is from the Greek word "sēpō" and is used only here and Vine says it means "signifies "to make corrupt, to destroy...to become corrupt or rotten, to perish," said of riches, Jam 5:2, of the gold and silver of the luxurious rich who have ground down their laborers. The verb is derived from a root signifying "to rot off, drop to pieces."" 

"Corroded" ("cankered" kjv) is from the Greek word "katioō" and is also only used once in the new testament and means "to become rust" and the word "corrosion" ("rust" kjv) is from the Greek word "ios" and which means "poison" (rust on the metal being viewed as a kind of poison).

Though human flesh does not rust and corrode as metals, it does break down, perish, become corrupted. All degrade, become less pure, and this is what happens to the all physical things as they are in the process of dying. Now let us notice another key text on this state of degradation and decay, one we have previously mentioned.

"18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now." (Rom. 8: 18-22 nkjv)

In the words "...the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption..." (Rom. 8: 21) we have another reference to this decay of creation, whether it be metals or dead plants and animals. The Greek word for "corruption" is "phthora." W.E. Vine says the word is "connected with phtheiro" and "signifies "a bringing or being brought into an inferior or worse condition, a destruction or corruption." It is used (a) physically, 

 

(1), of the condition of creation, as under bondage, Rom 8:21; 

(2) of the effect of the withdrawal of life, and so of the condition of the human body in burial, 1Cr 15:42; 

(3) by metonymy, of anything which is liable to "corruption," 1Cr 15:50; 

(4) of the physical effects of merely gratifying the natural desires and ministering to one's own needs or lusts, Gal 6:8, to the flesh in contrast to the Spirit, "corruption" being antithetic to "eternal life;" 

(5) of that which is naturally short-lived and transient, Col 2:22, "perish;" 

(b) of the death and decay of beasts, 2Pe 2:12, RV, "destroyed" (first part of verse; lit., "unto... destruction"); 

 

It was when the creation was cursed in Genesis chapter three (as a consequence of Adam's transgression) that this decay began. In fact, the words "in the day you eat thereof you will die" actually means "you will begin to die that day," and this is when death, decay, degeneration, rust, corrosion, corruption, perishing, etc., began. So Paul says that the physical body is continually, even in life, slowly perishing. (II Cor. 4: 16) To be delivered from this bondage of corruption brings salvation to the whole creation, to the physical world. The effects of the fall on the physical world are reversed or redeemed. 

When God cursed the ground (or earth) because of the sin of man, this cursing of the whole creation involved it in bondage and subjection, and tied its deliverance from that bondage to the deliverance of man. So, when Lord God "subjected to vanity" the whole creation, he at the same time "subjected it in hope" so that "the whole creation groans and labors with birth pains," anxious and longing for that time when "the creation also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption." 

Notice also the apostolic comment about how the whole creation came to be in bondage. Paul says the creation was "subjected to vanity" (or futility, in the passive voice), and how it was brought into bondage. He says "not willingly," that is, not by its own choice. 

So, does that mean that "the whole creation" has a choice or a will? Or, is it a case in literature where an inanimate thing is personified, or given personal attributes? Paul also speaks of the same creation groaning and being in pain, and these descriptions also suggest the creation is a living thing, and one that is able to will, groan, and feel pain and pleasure, not to mention that it is also said to hope for salvation from its bondage. So, is it what is called a "prosopopoeia"? Is it merely a figure of speech or is it in some ways literal? Even if it is all figurative language, or a metaphor, it still points to what is literal. The decay and corruption is literal and so is the riddance of it literal. 

Further, if earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and such like, are some of the ways in which the heavens and earth "groan," and "travail in pain," which I think is highly likely, then it is very literal. Had sin not entered the world along with the curse there would have never been an earthquake of volcanic eruption, nor any meteorites falling to earth and sky, and any of the other effects of its cursing. 

The whole creation was cursed to decay and perish, to be in bondage, as a result of the sin of man, and the same whole creation will be blessed to be renewed and regenerated, to be liberated, as a result of man's final and complete redemption (deliverance). The destiny of man and his dwelling place (heavens and earth) are tied together. The only reason there are to be new heavens and earth is because there are renewed human beings. We have already cited Paul's words about Christians experiencing renewal, regeneration, rebirth, new creation, when they are converted to Christ by faith, for this is when those processes begin. We have cited Paul's words where he used the same language for the sinner's re-creation in Christ and for the creation of the future new heavens and earth. 

"Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (II Cor. 5: 17 kjv)

Notice how there is a "passing away" of the old creation (the old self in conversion) and the "passing away" of the first heavens and earth. Both are new creations. The old self passes away when one is joined to Christ by faith, so that Christ now rules the heart, and not the ego, or the self. The old way of seeing and doing things also passes away when one is saved by the gospel. He sees things differently, judges things differently, values things differently, thinks differently, aspires differently, etc. There is no change to the physical body when one is converted (unless they are one of those who happened to be healed and converted at the same time). What is old and what is new is in regard to the spiritual nature of man, to his core being, which would include his rational soul. 

This deliverance of the whole cursed creation from the bondage of corruption is involved with that "unloosing" (or dissolving) of the elements (building blocks) that is to occur when Christ returns and inaugurates "the day of the Lord" (as we saw from II Peter chapter 3). That unloosing brings both destruction and salvation, as we observed. That "unloosing" will involve unloosing of the whole creation from the chains of its bondage so that it is made new, destroying the old creation and its old and wicked occupants. 

Let us notice some texts on show how the heavens and earth, the cosmos or physical world, will rejoice from being delivered from the bondage of corruption at the coming again of Christ the Lord.

"30 Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved. 31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The Lord reigneth. 32 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein. 33 Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the Lord, because he cometh to judge the earth." (I Chron. 16: 30-33 kjv; See also Psalm 96: 11-13; 98: 7-9)

"Sing for joy, you heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, you earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the LORD has redeemed Jacob, He displays His glory in Israel.” (Isa. 44: 23 NIV)

“For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; And it shall be to the Lord for a name, For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” (Isa. 55: 12-13 nkjv)

In the song "Joy To The World" there is that line that says "and heaven and nature sings." Yes, the whole creation, or all nature, will sing and rejoice when Christ comes to reign on earth and set up his kingdom. 

Notice also the promise that the renewed heavens and earth will no longer have "the brier." This is what I stated in previous chapters. Thorns, briers, and poor soil strength, etc., are results of the change in the world as a result of man's rebellion and being cursed with death. Notice what the writer of Hebrews wrote:

"For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and produces vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned." (Heb. 6: 7-8 nasb)

Cursed ground is unfruitful ground, with very low crop yield, and produces mostly weeds and other chaff. Blessed ground is just the opposite. The ground in the new heavens and earth, in both the Millennium and in the eternal ages following, in the whole creation, will be liberated and made like Eden once again. This is when the earth will be made new, renewed, re-created, regenerated, or reborn. 

I don't see why any bible student would be inclined to not take the prophecy above in Isaiah literally. Why is brier and thorn not literal? Why is myrtle and cypress trees figurative and not literal? Those commentators who rush to say so are to be rejected. Take God's word literally unless the context or common sense dictate otherwise. 

Yes, of course, briers (briars), chaff, and weeds (tares) are emblems of the wicked who are lost. Many scriptures affirm that. The parable of the wheat and tares shows that to be so. But, in the above, the subject is the "ground" and its ability to produce vegetation that is good. While it is true that the wicked will be burned up as chaff in the day of wrath, when Christ is revealed from heaven in flaming fire to take vengeance on his enemies (II Thess. 1: 7-9), and will burn like dried out weeds, nevertheless the texts above are clearly talking about literal earthly weeds and briers. But, why deny that the text is talking about the ground or earth and how it will, in the new heavens and earth, no longer have briers, thistles, thorns, weeds, and such like?

The Regeneration

"So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Matt. 19: 28 nkjv)

This "regeneration" is not the rebirth of the Spirit, through the soul's conversion to Christ, as it is in Titus 3: 5, the only other place where the Greek word "palingenesia" is used. It denotes a new birth, or reproduction, renewal, and re-creation of the cosmos, of the heavens and earth. It denotes a "new beginning" or "new genesis." 

The debate is whether "in the regeneration" is to be connected with "you which have followed me" (as in the kjv) or with the words "when" and "will also sit...judging." Keep in mind that there are no punctuation marks in the Greek text. The placement of commas, colons, etc., are added by the translator/interpreter. The former cannot be what is meant, for Christ did not experience any regeneration (conversion), and yet that is implied in the words "you who have followed me in the regeneration." (kjv) Christ never was born again because he never was a sinner. 

In "the washing (or bath) of regeneration" (Titus 3: 5) there is no definite article in the Greek text (though the kjv added one). However, in the text above in Matthew, there is a definite article "the" and this also is significant, and is in agreement with the fact that "the regeneration" of Matthew is the thing Paul describes in Romans chapter eight. 

The creation of a "new creation in Christ Jesus" (II Cor. 5: 17) is a stage in the renovation of the heavens and earth and the creation of a new world. The regeneration of the soul of a converted sinner, begun in conversion, is one step towards the creation of new heavens and earth. This is because of the fact (as I have previously shown) that what is often said of "the earth" has reference to the people occupying it. 

"19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send [c]Jesus Christ, who was [d]preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since [e]the world began." (Acts 3: 19-21 nkjv). 

This is no doubt another text that speaks of the coming Millennial age and of the ages that follow, of the new heavens and earth. This text is pregnant with fascinating revelations about the coming ages following the return of Christ.

Trench's Synonyms of the New Testament for "Regeneration" discusses the Greek word palingenesia and its corollary anakainosis which means renewal. In it he said some things worth inserting into this chapter. He wrote (emphasis mine):

"Thus the pre-Christian usage of palingenesia refers to a recovery, a restoration, or a revival, but not to the type of new birth referred to in the New Testament. Palingenesia is not used in the Old Testament and appears only twice in the New Testament (Matthew 19:28; Titus 3:5). In each case it has a different meaning. Our Lord's own words evidently refer to the new birth of the whole creation, the apokatastasis panton (the restoration of all things, Acts 3:21), that will occur when the Son of Man comes in his glory. Paul, however, used "the washing of regeneration" to refer to the new birth of human souls, not to the birth of the new creation."

He well says further:

"Is there a common denominator to the two New Testament uses of palingenesia? Certainly, otherwise all the laws of language would be violated. Palingenesia is used in a wider sense by Christ and in a narrower sense by Paul. There are two concentric circles of meaning with a common center. The palingenesia of Scripture begins with the microcosm of single souls but does not end until it has embraced the whole macrocosm of the universe. As seen in the Pauline reference, the primary seat of the palingenesia is man's soul. Having established its center there, the palingenesia extends in ever-widening circles, first embracing man's body, for which the day of resurrection is its palingenesia. Jesus' words in Matthew 19:28 certainly imply (or presuppose) the resurrection, but they involve much more. Beyond the day of resurrection, or contemporaneous with it, will come a day when all nature will put off its soiled, worn garments and clothe itself in holy attire. This will be "the times of restoration of all things" that is referred to in Acts 3:21. In an interesting intimation of this glorious truth, Plutarch refers to the "new arrangement," and frequently the Bible mentions "the new heaven and the new earth." According to Paul, the day of the palingenesia of the whole creation is one day in the labor-pangs of which all creation is groaning and travailing until now (Romans 8:21-23). Man is presently the subject of the palingenesia and the wondrous changes it implies, but in that day the palingenesia will include the whole world."

This is what we have thus far affirmed in relation of II Corinthians 5: 17 to the new heavens and earth or new creation.

Trench continues:

"The uses of palingenesia in Matthew 19:28 and Titus 3:5 may be reconciled as follows. In Titus 3:5 palingenesia refers to the single soul; in Matthew 19:28 it refers to the whole redeemed creation. Each use refers to a different stage of the same event. As Delitzsch so concisely said: "Palingenesia is a brief term expressing rebirth or transfiguration of human bodily existence and of the entire non-human nature."

That seems to me to be clearly the teaching of scripture. The re-creation of the new heavens and earth, either of the Millennial age or of "the ages of the ages," is its regeneration, transformation, renewal, deliverance, redemption, restoration, liberation, revival, and other such words. The above text from Acts chapter three well describes the time and condition of that new creation. That renovation and return to Edenic condition is described as "times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord" and "the times of restoration of all things."

Over the past several chapters we have cited several prophecies from the old testament prophets, especially from Isaiah, that foretold such a time of regeneration and re-creation for the cursed earth and sky, of the fruitfulness and prosperity of that new world. The text says such visions of final utopia on earth are just exactly what "God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began." The restoration of man to his primordial state in Edenic delight, and the undoing of the work of the serpent, has been the recorded hope of believers since the first family's time in Eden.

Showers Of Blessings

In the Millennial age and the ages of the ages following, in the new heavens and earth, not only will the curse(s) be removed by the Lord, but he will replace blessing with cursing. Notice this word of the prophet Ezekiel:

"And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it. And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods. And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing. And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them." (Eze. 34: 24-27 kjv)

Notice that in regenerated heavens and earth, when God is dwelling on earth with its new occupants and citizens, that the effects are numerous. The Lord says in that world he "will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land." This is in harmony with those prophecies that also speak of the taming of animals, of the domesticating of wild animals, and the riddance of pests, along with briers and thorns in the vegetable world. He also describes this world as a time when one can "dwell safely in the wilderness" and safely "sleep in the woods." (Which shows that some people will still have their own houses, or domiciles, and that they will sleep) It will be a time of great fruitfulness and where bliss is everywhere.

In closing this chapter, let us think of these words of wise king Solomon:

"But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day." (Prov. 4: 18)

What is considered the perfect day? Well, some think it simply means "mid day," when the sun's shining or radiance is at its peak, after which it begins to decrease. But, that is the literal truth. Those perfect days are but miniature resemblances of the perfect day that is coming when Christ and his resurrected saints rule in the new heavens and earth, of the Millennial age and of the ceaseless ages after it. 

What is man's idea of the "perfect day"? We have addressed that question in previous chapters. In the present section, we are focusing on what is the perfect day and time, or perfect world (or age), and not on whether it is even a realistic possibility, for we have addressed that question already in this study. It is defining what exactly is "the perfect day" that we will continue to focus upon. We have also focused upon and when it might come into being, and how the old world will end and the new begin.