The City Of Perpetual Blessing:
(Part of a sermon By Dr. Paul Fedena - CLICK)
1. Outside the City the “nations” and “kings” reside, but since only the redeemed survive the Great White Throne Judgment at the end of the Millennium, the question is who are these people?
2. Perhaps they are those who have mansions in the city, but have estates and governments and activities outside the city.
3. Perhaps they are humans in an innocent state like Adam before the fall continuing on the earth after the Millennium (if so they would have had to have been “raptured” off the planet before it was purged by fire, and glorified ).
4. This would place a very literal interpretation on the Abrahamic Covenant which promised that his seed would be as the sand upon the seashore and the stars in the heavens.
5. It would also help us envision the fulfillment of the Messianic promise in Isaiah 9:7 that “of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end.”
6. Also, if the nations of the saved were to continue to multiply, as would Adam and Eve, if they had not fallen, God’s command to “fill the earth” and “subdue it” would be finally accomplished.
7. Think of the productivity and promise of the planet where sin has been banished forever and where the nations can develop and expand infinitely.
8. Neither the kings of the earth nor the nations will seek their own glory, but “bring their glory and honor” into the city to the Lord of Glory!
(This is one of the Greatest Mysteries of Bible Prophecy)
Human Reproduction in Eternity
(r. madden -WHEN THE DUST HAS SETTLED - Revelation 22:1-5)
I believe that human reproduction will take place in eternity. This is a controversial conclusion, but I believe that it is firmly warranted by the Scriptures. I am not alone in holding this. Dake's Annotated Reference Bible (which is unsound on some major doctrines) and some other Classic Dispensationalists taught this.
Now, we all know that those who are resurrected do not marry (Mark 12:25). However, nowhere are we told that the faithful of the Millennium will be resurrected. Death comes to an end after the final judgment. However, there is no mention of a Resurrection for Millennial believers. We are told in Rev 22:2 that:
In the midst of the street of it, and on the either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
We have in this verse two significant facts -
1️⃣the restoration of the Tree of Life of Eden and
2️⃣the need of the nations for healing.
This suggests the restoration of the Edenic order in which man had not life in himself, but it was communicated by divine sustenance through the Tree of Life. Thus, it seems that the nations are, like Adam and Eve in Eden, existing in earth, non-glorified bodies that are free from decay through God's communication of life.
✨The nations are clearly distinguished from the resurrected saints for they dwell in the New Jerusalem (Rev 22:3-5, Hebrews 11:10, 12:22, Galatians 4:26). It is the great truth of Classic Dispensationalism that the Church is an heavenly not an earthly people. Of the nations we are told in Rev 21:24:
And the nations of them that are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
✨Thus, the nations dwell outside the city, they are distinct ethnic groups (unlike the Church which is a supranational body without national distinctions in its heavenly essence) and they have kings.
Likewise Daniel 7 distinguishes between the saints who rule and the those nations who are ruled:
Verse 14
And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Verse 18
But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
✨While Revelation 21 and 22 do not in themselves prove that marriage and childbearing will exist in the eternal state, they do establish the possibility.
✨There are some statements in Scripture that do indicate the likelihood of eternal reproduction.
Genesis 9:12
And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:
Here we have reference to a 'perpetual' number of generations. See also Psalm 100:5, 45:17, 119:90
Genesis 15:5
And he brought him forth abroard, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
So Abraham's descendants are innumerable. It is possible that this has been fulfilled or that it will be fulfilled in the Millennium, but I rather think it suggests that Abraham' children will multiply forever.
Some Dispensationalists like Charles Ryrie see the promises to Israel being fulfilled only in the Millennium.
However, I do not believe that this is satisfactory. I believe that the the family inheritance of Israel is too last forever. Israel receives an earthly promise which is fulfilled in an earthly fashion (Ezekiel 37:25-28, Jeremiah 31:36). In Isaiah 66:22, the national existence of Israel is mentioned in connection with the New Heavens and New Earth:
For as the new heavens and then new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain.
On this view, the Millennium is a transitional period of which the eternal state is essentially a continuation of the same program.
I would suggest that there are other advantages to the view that I am advocating.
👉This view upholds the blessedness and essential goodness of marriage and the family. It seems peculiar that something so blessed as marriage and childbearing would be lost after the destruction of sin and death. The conventional view of the eternal state makes out the earthly paradise of Eden to be a only a transitional stage in God's plans which could be discarded. This seems to give the victory to the devil in destroying paradise. I suspect a little Platonic influence may have kept the Church from embracing the glory and hope of an eternal earthly paradise, including the continuation of the human family.
Nowhere in Scripture is there a Resurrection for Millennial Saints - Matthew 25:31-46
(Verses compiled by Rob Madden)
Is. 9:6-7
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Dan. 4:34-35
34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchad-nezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine under-standing returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
Dan 7:14 - And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
II Sam. 7:16
And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
Psalms 89
1 I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
2 For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.
3 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,
4 Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.
28 My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.
29 His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven.
35 Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.
36 His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.
37 It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.
II Sam. 7:16
And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
Luke 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Genesis 9:12
And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:
(Here we have reference to a 'perpetual' number of generations.) See also Psalm 100:5, 45:17, 119:90
Genesis 15:5
And he brought him forth abroard, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
Gen 9:12 - And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:
Deut. 7:9 - Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; (1,000 x 70 = 70,000)
Psa 105:6 - O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.
Psa 105:7 - He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth.
Psa 105:8 - He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations. Isaiah 60:19-22
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Dan. 4:34-35
34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchad-nezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine under-standing returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
Dan 7:14 - And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
II Sam. 7:16
And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
Psalms 89
1 I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
2 For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.
3 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,
4 Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.
28 My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.
29 His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven.
35 Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.
36 His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.
37 It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.
II Sam. 7:16
And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
Luke 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Genesis 9:12
And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:
(Here we have reference to a 'perpetual' number of generations.) See also Psalm 100:5, 45:17, 119:90
Genesis 15:5
And he brought him forth abroard, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
Gen 9:12 - And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:
Deut. 7:9 - Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; (1,000 x 70 = 70,000)
Psa 105:6 - O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.
Psa 105:7 - He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth.
Psa 105:8 - He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations. Isaiah 60:19-22
More: (Compiled by Rob Madden)
Revelation 22:4-5
4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
✔ If they are going to reign with Him for eternity in the Holy City there must be people to reign over. This should make it clear that not all alive in eternity will live in the Holy City.
✔ The mystery we need to solve is whom do the people in the Holy City reign over? 💥It cannot be those cast into the Lake of Fire, because scripture says that they will not even come to mind anymore. 💥It cannot be Israel because the whole commonwealth of Israel are those that reign with Jesus.
✔ This allows for only one possibility: They reign over the children of God born after the bride of Christ marries Jesus.
🔶No one speaks about what happens to the people born during the millennium who do not follow Satan at his last revolt.
🔶We must assume that in this dispensation there will also be saved people as there were in every other dispensation of time.
🔸After all, the prime reason for the millennial kingdom is to create conditions on earth where many people could be born and saved.
🔸It is simply not sound reasoning to think that everyone on earth came against Jerusalem in this last revolt and that fire came down and consumed believer and unbelievers alike.
🔶There really is only one possibility, as to where these people are. The faithful in this dispensation will also be removed from the earth as Enoch and the faithful Church were removed before God's judgment came in their dispensation.
🔅There are three raptures: 🔹Enoch, 🔹the Church and 🔹the saints who live through the millennium.
🔶The prophetic scriptures about the snatching away of believers may include a progressive future fulfillment at the end of the great millennial day.
🔶They may or will be removed (Protected or Relocated, not necessarily Resurrected!!!) just before fire comes down from heaven and destroys all the people deceived by Satan at the final rebellion.
🔸This fire is the renovation of heaven and earth by fire that Peter speaks of (2 Pet 3:12).
Further, it is not possible that...
1. the saved in this millennial dispensation would be included as part of the bride of Christ, because
2. they become His children after He is already married.
3. The faithful since the marriage obviously are saved individuals or they would be cast in the Lake of Fire at the judgment.
Therefore, let us assume that these people are written in the book of life and are either resurrected at the second resurrection or they never died and were removed from the earth like Enoch prior to the renovation of heaven and earth by fire. 🔅Now with those assumptions the body of Christ has people to rule and reign over for eternity.
🔶We might even want to speculate a bit more and take this one-step further and say that these people may still reproduce in eternity. In that event, the body of Christ would have limitless people to rule and reign over. God made Adam and Eve to populate the earth before they even fell and became mortal. The scriptures also indicate that angels wrongfully reproduced with women to produce the race called the Nephilim.
Gen 6:4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.
✨We know there is a scripture that says we will not marry in the resurrection but that passage obviously was talking about those who attain the first resurrection.
1. We are told those in the first resurrection will become like the angels.
2. The passage was not talking about those born after the first resurrection who, when death is conquered, have human immortal bodies like Adam and Eve had before the fall.
Controversial, but worthy of thought: (R. Madden)
The passage about not marrying also says nothing about not being able to reproduce. What we see as reproduction today was a result of the curse. We are told in scripture that Eve came out of the side of Adam. Jesus Himself did not come from normal human reproduction and He is the last Adam (1Co 15:45). Reproduction in eternity may not take marriage or even sex. (Don Koenig)
God told Abraham that his seed would be like the sands of the seashore and like the number of stars in heaven (Gen 22:17). That number is uncountable and probably has no end since sand particles and stars continue to be created. There are trillions of trillions of stars that we know about in the universe. Who even knows how many stars there are that we do not know about? The promise given to Abraham might mean that God created man to populate His entire creation. His creation has no end, no boundaries, and it may continue to expand forever. From this point on, like in the Garden of Eden, there may be an actual reason to eat from the tree of life so those born in this new creation receive spiritual life. David tells us about man's destiny:
Psa 8:3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
If man were created to have dominion over the works of God s hand, it would include the whole universe not just the earth. What if Adam and Eve never sinned and ate of the tree of life; would their descendants have been limited to earth, or would they have filled God s creation? Man is even attempting to do this in his fallen mortal state. Who would have limited them if they were immortal? The purpose God created man for will be fulfilled even if man has to first go through a learning process of trust and obedience. God does not make mistakes; all this was planned before the foundation of the earth.
The early philosophers were correct. Earth is the center of the universe. It is where God began human life in His image.
The Holy City will be the throne of God and those in the bride of Christ will rule and reign with Him over all creation for eternity, but the planet earth may only be just the beginning of God's plan for the human race. The realm of man created in the image of God (the second Adam) may be destined to endlessly reproduce more children for God.
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