Hi Stevenator,
One question I have is will there be any type of reproduction? Jesus said people would not be married in heaven so does that mean that we won't have children? If so, will there be more people being added to the kingdom.
Here is what I notice in the Scripture.
Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,
So we know all people that live in this age will die a physical death once and then they will go into judgement, which is the White throne judgment when Christ returns for the vast majority. But after Christ returns "there shall be
no more death."
Rev 21:4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes;
there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
I think you can deduce that if people will no longer die a physical death, then that part of God's plan is finished and there will longer longer be the birth and death pattern that we have in this world.
Ray teaches that people grow through trials and experiences of evil but in a sinless existence devoid of evil how would children grow spiritually?
There will be plenty of children brought back to life in the resurrection of the dead. They along with all the rest of humanity must LEARN righteousness.
Isa 26:9 With my soul I have desired You in the night,
Yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early;
For when Your judgments are in the earth,
The inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
When all of humanity is brought back to life and Christ begins to rule, this world will be far from sinless. They will have to go through the process of being purged and learning to obey. I don't think this will be a quick process for most.
But the children will grow up and go through normal human development, and there will be teenagers
But having an experience of evil does not require a raging evil world around you, look at Cain and Abel.
Could it be that while we are one with God in heaven that there are other planets where carnal people are still learning?
I don't see this as a possibility, as Eve is "the mother of all living" (Gen. 3:20).
You realize that heaven is not a place you go to, but a realm or state of being. Here are a couple emails that might help with this idea of heaven.
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,4138.0.html -----
The "Kingdom of God" also known as the "Kingdom of the heavenS," is God's domain, where He resides. To the degree that we have God's Spirit is the degree to which we reside in this Kingdom. At present we are merely begotten, awaiting a new birth into His Kingdom. This Kingdom has no end after the physical has passed away. Etc. Too big a subject for an email.
God be with you,
Ray
http://bible-truths.com/email4.htm#babel -------
The purpose for the Tower of Babel was the same as it was for all tower-building down through history. A huge tower is a sign and symbol of power and unity. Nimrod built it as a rallying point for the people.
All great empires have built huge towers, cathedrals, buildings, pyramids, etc. Same reason.
Nimrod did not think that he could really build a tower that would go to heaven, but rather to reach into the heavens as a tall tree or mountain.
Seeing that Jesus said while He was on this earth, that He was also at the same time, IN HEAVEN, ought to dispel and fanciful idea that the Heaven of God's Throne is in outer space on some huge galactic rock.
God's heaven is a higher spiritual realm of life and existence, not a geographical location in outer space.
Hope that helps a little.
Ray
I also don't understand what it means God will be all in all.
You understand that Christ is 'one' with the Father, in that He is perfectly in tune with His Father's will through the Holy Spirit. First a person is begotten while physical and they go through the process of being made into His image, only the Elect now. At the resurrection they will be born into the kingdom, made spirit and enter into the family of God, at that point they will be 'one' with the Father. Eventually everybody will go through a similar process in the Lake of fire, of being purged, made clean and learn righteousness and be born into the kingdom. When all humanity and the angels have finished this process then God will be "all in all."
1Co 15:28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
mercy, peace and love
Kat