Heaven on Earth: Will it Ever Be?
In a previous article, we outlined the Scriptures that clearly show that all Christians are promised a home in Heaven with Jesus Christ, and that the Bible nowhere limits the number to 144,000. One objection that J.W.'s commonly raise is that the Bible teaches a future restortation of the earth to paradise conditions, much like the Garden of Eden. They argue that the earth must be inhabited for this promise to have any meaning, and therefore, it is not possible that all Christians will go to Heaven. "Otherwise," they ask, "what would be the point of a paradise earth, if all the Christians are in Heaven?" This point may seem valid on the surface, but it simply won't hold up in the light of Scripture.Does the Word of God really teach that the earth will abide forever, and will be inhabited by people in a paradise condition? Yes! Many Scriptures indicate this, and I will list a few: Psalm 104:5-"Who laid the foundations of the earth, that is should not be removed for ever."
Ecclesiastes 1:4-"One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth forever."
Isaiah 45:18-"...God Himself that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited:..."
These Scriptures are clear: God is the creator of the earth, and He intends for it to be inhabited. Doesn't this directly contradict the idea that all Christians go to Heaven? Not at all! One thing is vital in our study of the Bible, and that is that we take the WHOLE of the Bible's teaching on any given subject, rather than simply picking out certain passages and trying to make it fit what we want to believe.How, then, can we reconcile the apparent inconsistency in the two teachings? The key is, first of all, to examine ALL of the Scriptures on the subject. Secondly, we must take the Scriptures LITERALLY in every case, unless the context clearly dictates a symbollic meaning. Many false doctrines have developed simply because people feel that the Holy Spirit failed to say exactly what He meant, and therefore, He needs their help in interpreting exactly what He intended to say! Some symbollisms are used in Scripture, but this is always dictated by context. We should NEVER symbollize any passage of Scripture simply because it contradicts what we want to believe.The apparent inconsistency can be resolved by examining two portions of Scripture. These passages are: 2 Peter 3:3-13 and Rev. 21:1-27. Jehovah's Witnesses have consistently symbollized these passages, rather than take them to mean exactly what they say, and this has resulted in their erroneous teaching on this subject. Let us examine these Scriptures carefully.2 Peter 3:5 begins by telling us of the pre-flood world which scoffers (modern-day evolutionists) are willing ignorant of. Verse 6 tells us that THIS world perished (was destroyed) by water. Verse 7 goes on to say that there is a heavens and earth, WHICH ARE NOW, reserved unto a judgement by fire. Obviously, the earth which we inhabit now is different than the one that those who lived before the Flood inhabited. I am not implying that it is not the same planet, because it certainly is. But the conditions were far different. There have been drastic changes in the earth, as far as climate, seasons, average size and lifespan of humans and animals, and other factors are concerned. In other words, Peter tells us that the earth which IS NOW, is vastly different, with the previous earth system being destroyed. He also tells us that THIS PRESENT earth system will also be destroyed, not by water, but by fire. Verse 10 says that the heavens (atmospheric) "shall pass away," and that "the earth also...SHALL BE BURNED UP." J.W.'s vehemetly deny that the earth will ever be destroyed, but here it is, clearly outlined in Scripture. Exactly how God will accomplish this while preserving human life is not stated, but He is God. He was able to preserve the lives of Noah and his family, and He has this situation under His control, too.
The next passage of Scripture that we must examine is Revelation 21:1-27, which is very helpful in explaining to us the nature of the new Heavens and the new Earth. By symbollizing this chapter of Revelation, the Jehovah's Witnesses have made a terrible error, which has resulted in their erroneous teaching that only 144,000 Christians will ever go to Heaven, and all other Christians will remain on a paradise Earth, with the 2 groups being separate for eternity. As has been stated, this teaching can be found nowhere in the Word of God, and cannot be supported by any verse of Scripture. Had they only interpreted Revelation 21 in a literal sense (meaning that God means exactly what He says), then they would have realized that there is no contradiction between a Heavenly hope for all believers, and an Earthly hope for all believers. The key is to understand the NATURE of the new Heavens and the new Earth. In verse 1 of Rev. 21, we read:
"And I saw a NEW HEAVEN and a NEW EARTH: for the first heaven and the first earth WERE PASSED AWAY; and there was no more sea." This confirms exactly what Peter said, namely that this earth WILL be destroyed, but there will be a NEW earth. Many Christians have been frustrated when they tell a J.W. that the earth will be destroyed, only to have the J.W. show them a Scripture teaching that the earth "will abide forever." Let me emphasize that this is the MAIN argument for the J.W's contention that only 144,000 go to Heaven, because as we have already seen in our previous teaching, they have NO Scripture to back this doctrine. It is based solely on the belief that, if everyone is in Heaven, there would be no one to inhabit the earth. That is why a proper understanding of this passage is so vital, because it COMPLETLY solves the problem.
Notice VERY carefully verse 2: "And I, John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, COMING DOWN FROM GOD OUT OF HEAVEN." Remember that we have already been told in v. 1 that there will be a new Heaven, as well as a new earth. This is the new Heaven. At this point, Heaven and Earth will no longer be two separate places as they are now, but they will become ONE! Read v. 3: "and God Himself shall be with them." In v. 14, we are told this city has the names of the 12 apostles in its foundations, showing that all New Testament believers will be there. Verse 12 says the gates of the city have the names of the 12 tribes of Israel, showing that all Old Testament saints will be there. The climax is found in v. 22-26, when it is made clear that, not only will the saints from all the ages be there, but GOD HIMSELF will be there, and will be the light and glory of it!
J.W.'s have argued that this is not a literal city, but the detailed description of this city found in verses 10-21 eliminates anything but a literal interpretation.
If we will simply believe God's Word EXACTLY as it is written, even when it is beyond our limited comprehension, problems like this apparent contradiction can easily be resolved. When eternity finally arrives, Heaven and Earth will be made ONE, and then we will truly have "Heaven on Earth!" Therefore, Christians can rightfully be said to have a Heavenly hope, as well as an Earthly one, because there will be no difference between the two!
