THE FUTURE

[onewithhim]

Haven't we all, at one time or another, wondered what the future will be like? Experts of men have had a spotty reputation as most of their predictions have proved untrue.

What does the Bible tell us? "The God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed....It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever." (Daniel 2:44, Revised Standard Version)

Is this good news? Of course, when we realize what God's Kingdom is. It is a real government that will replace all of the existing governments on the earth and stand forever. Stability and order will be brought to people on the earth. What will life be like under this government?

NO MORE WAR (Psalm 46:9)
NO MORE SICKNESS (Isaiah 33:24)
NO MORE FOOD SHORTAGE (Psalm 72:16)
NO MORE PAIN, SORROW AND DEATH (Revelation 21:4)

These are just some of the promises made in the Bible about God's Kingdom, and there are more. God has promised all these wonderful things for the future. All righteously inclined people can avail themselves of these promises. Does this sound good to you?

[Tcg]

Haven't we all, at one time or another, wondered what the future will be like? Experts of men have had a spotty reputation as most of their predictions have proved untrue.

This is more true of the Jehovah's Witnesses than any other faith, is it not?

No. Other faiths have done the same thing---tried to figure out when Christ will come back and the end of the age. JWs have stopped trying to figure it out, and we realize that all that we must do is warn people of the coming "end of the world" and to try and teach them the Truth.

The Bible tells us exactly when the Second Coming will be. It will occur 6,000 years from the creation of mankind.

The problem is then trying to determine the exact date at which we will reach that 6,000 year target date.

That target date was met hundreds of thousands of years ago:

The origin of our species

Modern humans evolved in Africa around 200,000 years ago. They have a higher and more rounded brain case, smaller faces and brow ridges, and a more prominent chin than other ancient humans.

Casts on display include modern humans fossils found in Africa (about 195,000 years old), Israel (around 100,000 years old) and Australia (around 12,000 years old).

These fossils show that rather than springing fully formed from Africa, typical modern human characteristics instead built up over time. They also suggest that there may have been at least two waves of migration out of Africa - one dating back to around 100,000 years ago and another to around 60,000 years ago.

Outside of Africa, we are all descendants of those who left in that second wave of migration.



https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/the-orig ... ecies.html

[Data]

The Bible tells us exactly when the Second Coming will be. It will occur 6,000 years from the creation of mankind.

The problem is then trying to determine the exact date at which we will reach that 6,000 year target date.

Just dropped by for a quick comment. The Bible doesn't teach a second coming. The Bible doesn't teach when the end of the world will be. What you are talking about can most accurately be described as God's day of rest. The weekdays and the sabbath were a model for this, in a very basic sense to some extent to put it simply . . . .

Quickly, the number 666 is the number of mankind, not Satan. It's incompleteness. 7 is complete. God created man perfect (having great potential) but incomplete. He allowed for a certain time when man should have gained completeness and thus entered into his day of rest. Think of the Exodus, promised land. When we are complete then we can enter God's holy day of rest. Complete. So, the seventh day has literally been going on since Adam and Eve were created.

I don't have time or see the need to go into it, but see this and this if you're interested.

[myth-one.com]

The Bible tells us exactly when the Second Coming will be. It will occur 6,000 years from the creation of mankind.

The problem is then trying to determine the exact date at which we will reach that 6,000 year target date.

The Bible doesn't teach a second coming. The Bible doesn't teach when the end of the world will be.

Yes it does.

Quickly, the number 666 is the number of mankind, not Satan. It's incompleteness. 7 is complete. God created man perfect (having great potential) but incomplete.

When did perfect become the same as "having great potential" or "incomplete?"

God created the angels as perfect beings for maintaining and caring for the earth. But Satan and a third of those angels rebelled against God. As a result, the earth became dark, empty, and void. That's the end of perfection.

So God returned, restored the earth to its original good condition, and created man a little lower that the angels to replenish, subdue, and have dominion over the earth.

So man is Plan B!

[onewithhim]

The Bible tells us exactly when the Second Coming will be. It will occur 6,000 years from the creation of mankind.

The problem is then trying to determine the exact date at which we will reach that 6,000 year target date.

That is exactly what JWs thought. That's why they said it would be 1975. That was what they figured would be 6,000 years. What we're not considering, though, is when Eve was created. When that creation reaches 6,000 years, that'll be the time. Her creation has to be considered. So, again, JWs figured 6,000 years since Adam's creation ended in 1975. There's a way to figure those things out, by taking into consideration many dates, king's reigns, etc. But Eve's creation must be considered, and it was a long time after Adam's creation. He said, "AT LAST, bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh." So it was quite a while.

The age of man (or mankind) begins with the first man or woman created. In this case that would be Adam.

It begins when the first humans were created, when the creation of both of them was completed. That means it is 6,000 years after Eve was created.

So man did not exist until woman was created?

The 6,000 years of mankind's "work" begins when mankind was given dominion over the earth:

Genesis 1:26
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.is how long mankind will have dominion over the earth.

Eve must be considered. She was part of the creation of humans on the earth. Adam said, "At last! Bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh!" (Genesis 2:23) She was actually of Adam's flesh. She must be considered in the reckoning of the 6,000 years.

[onewithhim]

The Bible tells us exactly when the Second Coming will be. It will occur 6,000 years from the creation of mankind.

The problem is then trying to determine the exact date at which we will reach that 6,000 year target date.

The Bible doesn't teach a second coming. The Bible doesn't teach when the end of the world will be.

Yes it does.

Quickly, the number 666 is the number of mankind, not Satan. It's incompleteness. 7 is complete. God created man perfect (having great potential) but incomplete.

When did perfect become the same as "having great potential" or "incomplete?"

God created the angels as perfect beings for maintaining and caring for the earth. But Satan and a third of those angels rebelled against God. As a result, the earth became dark, empty, and void. That's the end of perfection.

Please show me from the Scriptures where God assigned the angels to maintain and care for the earth. I see that it is clear that God made physical human beings to care for the earth.

[myth-one.com]

The Bible tells us exactly when the Second Coming will be. It will occur 6,000 years from the creation of mankind.

The problem is then trying to determine the exact date at which we will reach that 6,000 year target date.

The Bible doesn't teach a second coming. The Bible doesn't teach when the end of the world will be.

Yes it does.

Quickly, the number 666 is the number of mankind, not Satan. It's incompleteness. 7 is complete. God created man perfect (having great potential) but incomplete.

When did perfect become the same as "having great potential" or "incomplete?"

God created the angels as perfect beings for maintaining and caring for the earth. But Satan and a third of those angels rebelled against God. As a result, the earth became dark, empty, and void. That's the end of perfection.

Please show me from the Scriptures where God assigned the angels to maintain and care for the earth. I see that it is clear that God made physical human beings to care for the earth.

Here it is:

Everything that God ever created was said to be very good:

And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. (Genesis 1:31)

So God created the heaven and the earth very good in the first verse of the Bible:

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

But the second verse of the Bible describes the very good earth created in verse one as follows:

And the earth was without form, and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep... (KJV Genesis 1:1-2)

How can that be? A hint is offered in seven different translations of the scriptures. For example:

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. (Genesis 1:2 NIV)

The indication in these seven versions is that the earth was created very good and had become without form, empty, and dark over a period of time. Many call this explanation the Gap Theory.

<==================== The earthly angel caretakers ================>

Know ye not that we shall judge angels?... (I Corinthians 6:3)

Paul is writing to the Christians at Corinth. Who are these angels which Christians shall judge? They are the angels who sided with Satan in his rebellion against God and are now restrained in hell:

And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. (Jude 1:6)

Jesus even visited and preached to them in their prison:

By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; (1 Peter 3:19)

At some time after the original creation, Satan was given rule over the earth:

And the devil, taking him up into a high mountain, showed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whosoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. (Luke 4:5-7)

But Satan lusted after even more power, so He rebelled against God:

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!... For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars (angels) of God... I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (Isaiah 14:12-14)

Satan and his angels warred against God in Heaven:

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon (Satan); and the dragon fought and his angels, (Revelation 12:7)

Satan and his angels were defeated and they were cast back down to their original assignment -- the earth:

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (Revelation 12:9)

Although the exact number under Satan's authority is unknown, it was one-third of the total number of angels. Satan and the angels who joined his rebellion against God were exiled from the Kingdom of God and restricted to ruling the earth:

And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth... (Revelation 12:4)

In conclusion, there is ample evidence that spirits were given original dominion over the earth. Satan ruled the earth with a host of angels under his control!

Due to the rebellion and abandoning of the Earth by the original caretakers, the earth had reached the condition of empty, void, and dark as described in Genesis 1:2.

About 6,000 years ago, God returned, re-created a decimated earth to its original very good condition, created man, and gave man dominion over the earth.

Man may gain everlasting life by becoming equal unto the angels and rule over the Earth forever under their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Angels produced through this training process should be less likely to rebel.

[onewithhim]

The Bible tells us exactly when the Second Coming will be. It will occur 6,000 years from the creation of mankind.

The problem is then trying to determine the exact date at which we will reach that 6,000 year target date.

The Bible doesn't teach a second coming. The Bible doesn't teach when the end of the world will be.

Yes it does.

Quickly, the number 666 is the number of mankind, not Satan. It's incompleteness. 7 is complete. God created man perfect (having great potential) but incomplete.

When did perfect become the same as "having great potential" or "incomplete?"

God created the angels as perfect beings for maintaining and caring for the earth. But Satan and a third of those angels rebelled against God. As a result, the earth became dark, empty, and void. That's the end of perfection.

Please show me from the Scriptures where God assigned the angels to maintain and care for the earth. I see that it is clear that God made physical human beings to care for the earth.

Here it is:

Everything that God ever created was said to be very good:

And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. (Genesis 1:31)

So God created the heaven and the earth very good in the first verse of the Bible:

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

But the second verse of the Bible describes the very good earth created in verse one as follows:

And the earth was without form, and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep... (KJV Genesis 1:1-2)

How can that be? A hint is offered in seven different translations of the scriptures. For example:

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. (Genesis 1:2 NIV)

The indication in these seven versions is that the earth was created very good and had become without form, empty, and dark over a period of time. Many call this explanation the Gap Theory.

<==================== The earthly angel caretakers ================>

Know ye not that we shall judge angels?... (I Corinthians 6:3)

Paul is writing to the Christians at Corinth. Who are these angels which Christians shall judge? They are the angels who sided with Satan in his rebellion against God and are now restrained in hell:

And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. (Jude 1:6)

Jesus even visited and preached to them in their prison:

By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; (1 Peter 3:19)

At some time after the original creation, Satan was given rule over the earth:

And the devil, taking him up into a high mountain, showed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whosoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. (Luke 4:5-7)

But Satan lusted after even more power, so He rebelled against God:

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!... For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars (angels) of God... I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (Isaiah 14:12-14)

Satan and his angels warred against God in Heaven:

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon (Satan); and the dragon fought and his angels, (Revelation 12:7)

Satan and his angels were defeated and they were cast back down to their original assignment -- the earth:

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (Revelation 12:9)

Although the exact number under Satan's authority is unknown, it was one-third of the total number of angels. Satan and the angels who joined his rebellion against God were exiled from the Kingdom of God and restricted to ruling the earth:

And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth... (Revelation 12:4)

In conclusion, there is ample evidence that spirits were given original dominion over the earth. Satan ruled the earth with a host of angels under his control!

Due to the rebellion and abandoning of the Earth by the original caretakers, the earth had reached the condition of empty, void, and dark as described in Genesis 1:2.

About 6,000 years ago, God returned, re-created a decimated earth to its original very good condition, created man, and gave man dominion over the earth.

Man may gain everlasting life by becoming equal unto the angels and rule over the Earth forever under their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Angels produced through this training process should be less likely to rebel.

I don't see this "ample evidence" you speak of, that spirits were given original dominion over the earth. It is clear to me that physical humans were given that assignment. God made Adam from the dust of the earth, which is very physical. He then told him to take care of the earth and all the animals. (Genesis 1:28; Genesis 2:7; Genesis 2:15) In addition, God told Adam and Eve they could eat from every tree in the garden except one. Now, would spirit persons eat? Spirit persons don't need to eat. If they were spirits, why were they told that they could eat from all the trees? (Genesis 2:16)

[myth-one.com]

[Replying to onewithhim in post #27]

So you believe God created the earth empty, void, and dark.

And you do not believe that the devil was given power over the earth.

Nor that the Devil has a host of angels under his command.

And you do not believe there was any war in heaven.

Or that the Devil was defeated and cast back down to the earth.

And you don't believe that God created everything very good.

[onewithhim]

[Replying to onewithhim in post #27]

So you believe God created the earth empty, void, and dark.

And you do not believe that the devil was given power over the earth.

Nor that the Devil has a host of angels under his command.

And you do not believe there was any war in heaven.

Or that the Devil was defeated and cast back down to the earth.

And you don't believe that God created everything very good.

God created the earth and it was at first empty, cold and dark. Then he created all the things on the earth, including humans. The earth was beautiful and Adam was to take care of it.

(And don't tell me what I don't believe. You are wrong to do that.)

[myth-one.com]

[Replying to onewithhim in post #27]

So you believe God created the earth empty, void, and dark.

And you do not believe that the devil was given power over the earth.

Nor that the Devil has a host of angels under his command.

And you do not believe there was any war in heaven.

Or that the Devil was defeated and cast back down to the earth.

And you don't believe that God created everything very good.

God created the earth and it was at first empty, cold and dark. Then he created all the things on the earth, including humans. The earth was beautiful and Adam was to take care of it.

(And don't tell me what I don't believe. You are wrong to do that.)

Can I quote you:

God created the earth and it was at first empty, cold and dark.

But it cannot have been created that way because every description of things made by God were seen to be good by God's estimation:

And God saw the light, that it was good. (Genesis 1:4)

...and God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:10)
(referring to dry ground)

...and God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:12)
(referring to vegetation)

...and God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:18)
(referring to night and day)

...and God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:21)
(referring to sea and air creatures)

...and God saw that it was good... (Genesis 1:25)
(referring to land creatures)

And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. (Genesis 1:31)

So it kinda looks like God made everything in the original creation as good, and it became without form, empty, and dark.

Seven translations actually add the word "now" in verse 2:

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now (at this time) the earth was formless and empty; and darkness was over the surface of the deep... (Genesis 1:1-2)

That is, God originally created the heavens and the earth good in verse one, and over a period of time the earth had become formless, void, and dark. Between verse one and verse two a period of time obviously occurred. Based on current scientific estimates, the time period between verse one and two was approximately 4.55 billion years. This is the current estimated age of the earth. Yes, dinosaurs did roam the earth sixty-five million years ago! The following "creation" described in detail in Genesis is actually a re-creation of a decimated earth originally created as very good in verse one. It is this re-creation that can be traced back to approximately 6,000 years ago. This idea that the creation described in detail in Genesis is actually a re-creation of a decimated earth is supported by other scripture verses:

Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they (mankind) are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth. (Psalm 104:30)

So in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth as good. Now the earth had become without form, void, and dark. Notice that only the earth had become without form, void, and dark. The "heaven" remained in good condition as it was created.

Suppose you were going to recreate something that had become "without form, void, and dark." What would be your first logical step? Would it be the same as God's first logical step? In verse three of chapter one, roughly 4.55 billion years from verse one, God performs the most obvious and logical first step in the recreation of the earth. He turns the lights back on:

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. (Genesis 1:3)

What caused the original wonderfully created earth to degrade to the conditions as described in verse two? Sin and rebellion against the commandments of God produced chaos.

But who was on the earth to sin against God before mankind?

The angels.