Where Will the Righteous Be?

(Related article “Romanism vs. Scripture” specifically point 5.)

The promise of Heaven as a reward for the righteous is nowhere to be found in scripture even when the ‘World Tomorrow’ (New Heavens and New Earth) is mentioned and is often plural. Most of the Psalms, Isaiah and Ezekiel references are to Earth, Zion or Jerusalem. The Hebrew word for Heaven is ‘shamiym’ or ‘shameh’ or ‘shamiyn’ (strong’s concordance # 8064 and 8065) means lofty and refers to the atmosphere, the cosmos and beyond. It is also translated as ‘air’. In Greek it is ‘ouranos’ which implies the concept of elevation through happiness, power eternity, specifically the Gospel; also translated as ‘air’ or ‘sky.’

Gen 1:26-31 God’s original intent for man was the earth not heaven

Ps 37 (spec.  Verses 3, 9, 11, 22, 29, 39), Mt 5:5, Rm 4:13 – Those who are meek and those who wait upon the Lord shall inherit the Earth.

Rv. 5:10, 20:4 As Kings and Priests the righteous shall rule a thousand years over the earth.

Is 42:4 Justice and law will be established.

Dan 2:34-35, 44-45 A kingdom requires a ruler, land and people.

Zech. 14 The feet of Jesus Christ will stand upon the Mount of Olives. Those who are left will go up from year to year to keep the Feast of Tabernacles (vs. 16-19 and also Rv 19). Rv 14:1-5 John saw the “Lamb standing on Mt Zion with the firstfruits purchased from the earth.”

 

Mic.  4, Joel 2:32, Is 2:1-4 The ‘Mountain of the Lord’ will be established in Zion.

Jer. 3:14-18 God will bring Israel and Judah to Zion / Jerusalem and it shall be called “The Throne of the Lord.”

Prov 2:21-22, Jer 32:37-44, Zeph 2:9 “I will bring ‘my people’ back to their land.

Zech. 8 Description of day to day life in Jerusalem.

Is 65:17-25 The generations will be ongoing in the ‘New Heavens and New Earth.’

 

Deut. 28, Lv. 26 Blessings / Curses

Promises (covenant) made:

To Abraham         Gen 17:1-8

To Isaac                Gen 26:1-5
To Jacob (Israel) Gen 28:1-4
To David               II Sam 7:13-16
To Mary                Lk 1:32-35

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob dwelt in the land of promise (Heb 11:9-10)

Ezek 36 Israel gathered from among the nations and brought back into their own land; filled with the Holy Spirit.

Amos 9:13-15 The desolated cities will be rebuilt. The land will be fertile and never again will the Israelites be forced to leave the land that God has given them.

Ps 97, 98 God reigns and judges over the Earth and its inhabitants in righteousness and equity.

Is 61 lists the responsibilities of the firstfruits.

Hab 2:14 The Earth will be filled with the knowledge (Yada) of the Lord (see also Is 11:9 dea or de’ah from yada).

Is 11: The 2^nd Exodus and the World Tomorrow; Is 35: The healing of humanity and the Earth.

Obad 17 – 21 Mount Zion shall be delivered

Mal 4:1-3 The wicked shall be as ashes under the soles of the feet of the saints.

New Heavens and New Earth: Is 65:17 – 66:24; II Pt 3:13

 

New Jerusalem: Rv 3:12, 21:2

Ps 132:11 The Lord has chosen Zion as his dwelling place and David’s sons will sit on their father’s throne forevermore.

Job 19:25-27 The Redeemer will stand upon the Earth in the latter days. Though the body will be destroyed, my flesh shall see God.

Jesus is returning with his reward and to re-establish his Kingdom. Jn 14:1-3, Mt 16:27-28, Rv 22:7,12, Dan 2:35, 7:14,26,27 – *

Lk19:11-27 Rewarding of the cities – *Acts 1:9-11 Christ is returning in like manner as He ascended into Heaven (no mention of a 3^rd phase) – *.

I Kngs 8:27 The Heavens and Heaven of Heavens cannot contain God

 

[*notice: there is no mention of returning to where He had received the Kingdom].