Bible Discussion Thread

Is Heaven our final home, or is the New Jerusalem our final home?

According to scripture at the end of Revelation (chapter 21 and 22); the heavenly Jerusalem descends to earth; hence it becomes united as one and the same in essence. We have the earlier verses such as 1 Cor. 15:51 about the rapture and Resurrection occurring first; as an escape from the wrath which shall come in the Tribulation; otherwise referred to as "Jacob's Trouble". After this; we have the Millennium period when the heavenly city is suspended above earth (no doubt interacting with earth and moon's gravity). The very real physical changes of mountains being abased; valleys being exalted ( Isaiah 40:4 stated in reverse order) indicates the topographical changes due to this gravitational force; and no doubt Isaiah 66 indicates how the opening to hell will be brought forth to be observed by all which will exist in a peripheral area around the city where at that time there will be the greatest height on earth in heavenly Jerusalem once Christ lands on the Mount of Olives. Eventually; after the Millennium period there is "no more sea" according to Revelation 21:1. The elements which are said to burn up in 2 Peter 3:10-12 show the day of the Lord at it's finale. (It would seem since other verses in Peter state 1000 years are as a day that the Day of the Lord is the period between the Tribulation and the Great White Throne Judgment in its entirety).

In any event; we need to establish the right standing with God in order to enter the Kingdom; namely true faith in Christ now and the resulting indwelling of the Holy Spirit which is the sealing of the down payment as Ephesians and other verses indicate. We have in a sense already died to this world and have gone from death to life if Born Again; because the process of sanctification leads to glorification as a "done deal" ( Romans 8:28-30). There still will probably be a planet where the Heavenly City comes from that may be the whole heaven as it were. We will rule and reign with Christ on earth as well.

Hey Jerry Donald Stoller,

I am sure many may disagree, but I have not found any scripture that says outright we will be taken, or we will go to heaven. Many uses 1 Thessalonians 4:17 as the church meets Jesus in the air and are taken to heaven, but this verse does not say where we go after we meet Jesus in the air.

Psalms 115:16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.

Revelation 21:1-3 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. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

The saved eternal life will be as from the beginning, on earth, but it will be made new.

God bless,

RLW

On Earth now whether you end up in Jerusalem or not depends, you may be outside the gates. All these brain-e-acts who know everything about revelations neglect the most important parts. Paul spoke of earning crown and jewels that go on them and Jesus spoke of being found with just the one talent we were given because we never served God or preached the gospel, buried or heads in the sand. We are servants of O Mighty God of our Lord Jesus Christ and we act like we serve the world. You really need to just read it over and over until you can hear it. Yes, God and Jesus will rein on earth in God's Temple in Jerusalem in God's sanctuary the holy of holies and there will be no sun for they shall be our light. The tree of life who leaves will be to heal the nations. I tell you there is more to it then just believing it's after we believe will be judge by. Read it like your life depends on it because it does.