Psalms 37:29 "29 The righteous themselves will possess the earth,And they will reside - forever - upon it. "
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2007-09-23 04:54:17 · 17 answers · asked by Mithrianity 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Colossians 1:13 describes physical saints as already having been "translated" into the Kingdom. As such, this passage seems to imply that Christians are now in the Kingdom of God. However, this clearly isn't the case, since 1 Corinthians 15:50 tells us that "flesh and blood [physical bodies] cannot inherit the kingdom of God."
Part of the confusion here comes from the meaning of the word kingdom. In addition to meaning a literal kingdom, the Greek word basileia, translated "kingdom," denotes sovereignty and royal power (Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, "Kingdom").
This passage in Colossians shows that God's sovereignty and power begin in the life of the Christian at conversion. The New International Version Study Bible explains that in this verse the word kingdom "does not here refer to a territory but to the authority, rule or sovereign power of a king. Here it means that the Christian is no longer under the dominion of evil (darkness) but under the benevolent rule of God's Son."
Virtually all other occurrences of basileia, when referring to the Kingdom of God, point to the literal dominion that Christ will establish at His return (Matthew 6:33; Revelation 11:15). As "heirs of God" in training to inherit that future Kingdom (Romans 8:15-17; Matthew 25:34; Revelation 20:4, 6), Christians are thus already subject to the sovereignty and authority of that Kingdom, although not yet residents of it.
Jesus Christ, ruler of the coming Kingdom, is the Lord and Master of Christians now (Philippians 2:9-11). God rules the lives of converted Christians who voluntarily obey Him and His laws. They submit themselves to God's basileia—His royal sovereignty and power. They individually are part of the Church, the Body of Christ, which God also rules. But the Church collectively looks to God's coming world rule when the basileia will be fully established.
The context leading up to Colossians 1:13 also helps clarify the meaning. Verse 9 begins a description of points Paul and Timothy regularly included in their prayers. One of the blessings they were thankful for was that God had qualified them and the other members to receive the inheritance of the saints (verse 12). That inheritance, eternal life, does not come until Christ returns (1 Corinthians 15:50-52; Romans 8:17). This is why the Bible refers to the saints as heirs of the Kingdom (James 2:5).
Verse 13 of Colossians 1 continues this theme, adding that those qualified as heirs, those whose status had changed from nonheirs to heirs, were also "translated," or transferred, from the power of darkness to the Kingdom of God.
We, as modern-day saints, also exchange systems of government when we are converted. We now give our allegiance and obedience to the Kingdom of God, even though that Kingdom has not yet fully come.
In 2 Corinthians 5:20, Paul uses a different comparison to help us understand this, calling us "ambassadors." An ambassador is one who represents a kingdom or other government, but resides in a different land. Christians are thus ambassadors for God's Kingdom, representing His way of life in our current earthly situation and age in which we reside. We are not yet in the Kingdom.
2007-09-23 05:24:20 · answer #1 · answered by TIAT 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you read the Bible carefully you will realize that after Jesus comes the second time and takes the righteous to be with Him in heaven, they are there for a thousand years. (Rev. 20:3,7)
After 1000 years new earth is created where the righteous will live forever (Rev. 21:1-3).
So, this earth is going to be the final dwelling place of not only the righteous but of God as well, the capital of the universe, if you will!
2007-09-23 05:09:03 · answer #2 · answered by Andy Roberts 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No. This Christian does not believe heaven is on earth.
Psalm 37 vividly contrasts the wicked person with the righteous.
Those who follow God live differently from the wicked and, in the end, will have treasures in heaven. What an unbeliever gets on earth may last a 'lifetime', but what you get from following God lasts 'forever.'
2007-09-23 05:40:01 · answer #3 · answered by D.A. S 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No time now to write many pages; so directly
Yes, we are now starting out in Jesus Christ's ever perfecting kindergarten Heaven here now on earth, since May 18, AD30 with the Universal Father-Son-Spirit Bestowal of He the Spirit of ALL Truth here then and NOW and forevermore with us !
Thank You Jesus ! See John 16:7-16 and others
Peace and progress,
Brother Dave, a Jesusonian Christian Truthist
http://www.PureChristians.org/ Gospel enlarging website,
proclaiming worldwide the True Religion
OF JESUS and ABOUT JESUS and IN JESUS
Come and share !
2007-09-23 05:13:04 · answer #4 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
if adam had not sinned, where would he be? on earth. the earth was created for man to live on. man was created to live on the earth. that was gods purpose. true some will go to heaven but only to rule as "kings and priests" over the earth. notice in your scripture "forever"? ask "christians" this...are you righteous? will you reside FOREVER on earth? it doesnt have to be heaven on earth. it will be how god purposed the earth to be.
2007-09-23 05:06:28 · answer #5 · answered by buddy 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, they believe it's somewhere in the sky. They have no intelligent idea where or anything reasonable to go on but blind faith. I think they're standing right on it and wouldn't know it if Jesus Christ himself gave them a free ticket to get in.
But sadly and scary at the same time, I think what you're saying about "the righteous" is exactly what those Islamic extremists are saying they're going to do. They intend to kill all the "non believers" and take over the entire world. We'll see, huh?
2007-09-23 05:04:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
The Kingdom of Heaven is Within!
2007-09-23 05:03:40 · answer #7 · answered by Premaholic 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Many still fail to believe that Jesus is going to rule on earth for a 1,000 years. You are right in the scripture you used.
2007-09-23 05:00:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Belinda Carlisle has suggested that, and I'm a big supporter of her philisophical musings.
2007-09-23 05:05:24 · answer #9 · answered by Lunarsight 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
according to the bible there will be a new earth where there will be no sadness,pain,suffering etc.i do believe that if we are living in His Kingdom(His way of doing things)our lives are enriched
2007-09-23 05:02:47 · answer #10 · answered by loveChrist 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋