Is God Trying to Convert the World Now?

[RR144]

Jesus promised, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come.” (Matthew 24:14) Does this promise mean that now is the only time of salvation for all people? The common words ALL and EVERY are two of the most important words in the Bible. In Luke 2:10 the angel who announced the birth of Jesus said, “Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to ALL people.” Verses 30 and 31 speak of salvation for “ALL people.” 1 Timothy 4:10 speaks of God as “the Saviour of ALL men.”

The simple logic of Jesus dying for ALL is found in 1 Corinthians 15:22: “As in Adam ALL die even so in Christ shall ALL be made alive.” Similarly, Romans 5:18 shows that “by the offence of one [Adam] judgment came upon ALL men to condemnation: even so by the righteousness of one [Christ] the free gift came upon ALL men.” Father Adam sinned with the unborn race yet in his loins. Therefore, ALL were born in sin and shapen in iniquity (Psalm 51:5) and thus worthy of death. God knew that Adam, due to a lack of experience would disobey. Thus 1 Peter 1:19,20, speaks of the blood of Christ as being foreordained for our redemption even before Adam was created. Since ALL were lost in Adam, it was necessary that Jesus “by the grace of God should taste death for EVERY man” (Hebrews 2:9).

John 1:7 speaks of Jesus as “the Light, that ALL men through him might believe.” Verse 9 says he is “the True Light, which lighteth EVERY man that cometh into the world.” How can this be? Countless millions died before the time of Jesus. They never saw the True Light! They never heard the name of Jesus. And since the death of Jesus, millions died never hearing of the only “name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). If you are a Bible-believing Christian, you know that no one is saved through ignorance but only by believing in Jesus as his or her saviour. This is a seeming contradiction. The answer is found in 1 Timothy 2:5,6, “. . .Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for ALL, to be testified in due time”-a plain statement that Jesus died for “ALL.” If Jesus died for “ALL,” why is it that ALL do not have the opportunity to hear this good news? The key of harmony is found in the phrase “due time.” The Greek word translated “time” is plural; i.e., times (Thayer’s Lexicon of the New Testament). The knowledge that Jesus is a ransom for ALL will be testified “in due times.” The due time for those God is calling to be of the Church is during the Christian Age. The due time for ALL other people to understand is during the 1,000-year reign of Christ.

Now is not the time for ALL to hear the name of Jesus. God is not trying to convert the world between the first and second advents. If He was, then He has obviously failed. For after nearly 2,000 years, less than one third of the world’s population even claims to be Christian. The fact is Jesus predicted only that the gospel would be a witness to the world, not that all would be converted before the end of the Age.

Mark 4:11,12, specifically states that God is not trying to convert the world now. Jesus said to his disciples, “Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without all these things are done in parables. That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.” Ponder well this scripture.

If Jesus died for ALL, why has God arranged that many would not be able to understand the Bible and, therefore, not be converted and have their sins forgiven? The Bible is not written like a textbook system of logic. God purposely had the Bible written in parables and symbols, so that many would not be converted and have their sins forgiven. This is why there are over 250 Christian denominations with so many different interpretations of the Bible. God has not attempted to convert the world, but is only calling a “little flock” at this time. If man’s eternal destiny was dependent upon understanding the Bible now, our God of love (1 John 4:8) would have surely made the Bible plain and simple for all to understand.

Acts 15:14-17 reveals that “God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name [not to convert all]. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, after this I will return [Second Advent] and build again the tabernacle of David [set up the kingdom of God]… that the residue [REMAINDER] of men might seek after the Lord and ALL the Gentiles….” God’s work since the death of Jesus has not been to convert all humankind, but merely to take out or to call out a “people for his name.” In the Kingdom, all the REMAINDER of men, who are not of these called out ones, will have their opportunity to seek the Lord.

 

[Aunty Jane]

2 Peter 3:9-14...
"Jehovah is not slow concerning his promise, as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with you because he does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance. 10 But Jehovah’s day will come as a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar, but the elements being intensely hot will be dissolved, and earth and the works in it will be exposed.

11 Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, consider what sort of people you ought to be in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion, 12 as you await and keep close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah, through which the heavens will be destroyed in flames and the elements will melt in the intense heat! 13 But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.


14 Therefore, beloved ones, since you are awaiting these things, do your utmost to be found finally by him spotless and unblemished and in peace."

Here it is plain that the opposite to being 'repentant', is to be 'destroyed'.
The day of judgment will catch many by surprise, but God promised to expose the rot before he takes this world out of commission.

Are we part of the problem.....or supporters of the solution?

 

[RR144]

2 Peter 3:9-14...
"Jehovah is not slow concerning his promise, as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with you because he does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance. 10 But Jehovah’s day will come as a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar, but the elements being intensely hot will be dissolved, and earth and the works in it will be exposed. 11 Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, consider what sort of people you ought to be in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion, 12 as you await and keep close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah, through which the heavens will be destroyed in flames and the elements will melt in the intense heat! 13 But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell. 14 Therefore, beloved ones, since you are awaiting these things, do your utmost to be found finally by him spotless and unblemished and in peace."

Here it is plain that the opposite to being 'repentant', is to be 'destroyed'.
The day of judgment will catch many by surprise, but God promised to expose the rot before he takes this world out of commission.

Are we part of the problem.....or supporters of the solution?

Hi Jane hank you for that scriptures

 

[RR144]

Thanks Jane for these verses, now let me ask ... do you take these verses literally? Will the earth literally be destroyed? What will happen to humans? Will all TRUE believers be taken to heaven, the earth scorched with heat and then they will return? Or will the earth be totally destroyed and a literal new one be created? How long will this process take?

When we look at this chapter, actually the whole book of 2 Peter, it is addressed to the consecrated, Jehovah is not dealing with the world of mankind, only the Church class is liable to (second) death now. The world will have their judgement during the Millennial Reign, then they will be judged during the "Little Season" when Satan is let loose. (Rev. 21:7-11)

Can I ask a personal question? I notice that you quoted the NWT, are you affiliated with the Jehovah's Witnesses?

Thanks,

 

[Aunty Jane]

Thanks Jane for these verses, now let me ask ... do you take these verses literally?

Not entirely....mostly figurative. “New heavens” is the rulership of God’s Kingdom (from heaven over the earth) and the “new earth” is a new earthly society made up of those whom God has redeemed through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Will the earth literally be destroyed?

No. Ecclesiastes 1:4; Psalm 104:5.

What will happen to humans?

According to scripture, there are only two categories of people from God’s perspective.....”wheat or weeds”.....”sheep or goats”....”those on the cramped road to life, or those on the broad road to destruction”....so it doesn’t matter what we call ourselves or how “good” we are in our own estimations, Jesus said that only those “doing the will of his Father” (Matthew 7:21-23) would gain everlasting life in the coming Kingdom, where God’s will is “done on earth as it is in heaven”.

The difficult thing is figuring out which is which, in a world ruled by the devil. (1 John 5:19) His deceptions make it really hard to find them......like looking for a raw diamond in a pile of broken glass. Only God can invite us into his family. (John 6:65)

Jesus said to look at their “fruitage” and we would soon see who the genuine Christians are. (Matthew 7:16-20) They would be following Jesus’ teachings without making excuses for why they weren’t, or adding things to their worship that he never taught. We can discuss those if you like.....

Will all TRUE believers be taken to heaven, the earth scorched with heat and then they will return? Or will the earth be totally destroyed and a literal new one be created? How long will this process take?

No, all true believers will not be taken to heaven.
From my studies of the scriptures, it was never God’s intention to take any humans to heaven originally. He created a paradise right here on earth that was going to delight humankind forever, but a rebel spirit interfered with that and caused God to remedy the situation with an object lesson that will set precedents for all eternity to come. By allowing satan to rule the world, he would show both humans and angels the value of obedience. We can all see first hand what happens to the world when God is not included in the plans of men. What a mess he has made of everything, thinking that he does not need God!

By giving his intelligent creatures free will, there was always the risk of them abusing it, so when that happened, God put his first purpose aside to address the issues raised concerning his Sovereign right to set the limits of the freedom he gave them. Once he has accomplished that, he will cleanse the earth of all wickedness and those who practice it, whilst ‘saving’ those who followed all of the teachings of his son, despite the difficulty in doing so.

He has no reason to destroy the earth....it is still a beautiful place (where man has not spoiled it)......but he has very good reasons to destroy those who want to ruin it with their violence, selfishness, immorality, pollution and false religions. (Revelation 11:18) The clean up is coming very soon I believe. (Matthew 24:42-44)

When we look at this chapter, actually the whole book of 2 Peter, it is addressed to the consecrated, Jehovah is not dealing with the world of mankind, only the Church class is liable to (second) death now. The world will have their judgement during the Millennial Reign, then they will be judged during the "Little Season" when Satan is let loose. (Rev. 21:7-11)

The “consecrated”..... “elect”..... “chosen ones” are addressed in the Christian scriptures because the “chosen ones” were to be gathered first, and resurrected first. (1 Thessalonians 4:16)

The whole purpose of the Kingdom is to guide and direct all saved humanity (which includes all those saved through the great tribulation, as well as all those whom Jesus will resurrect once his kingdom is established over the earth) back into reconciliation with God. The 1000 year reign of Christ will see all humanity brought back to the same sinless state as Adam was in the beginning.....only then will satan be released to test mankind again, before any and all rebels (including satan and his hordes) will be destroyed in “the lake of fire” forever. (Matthew 25:41)

Along with the 144,000 “chosen ones”, (Revelation 14:1-4) will be a “great crowd” of “other sheep”, Christians who are said to “come out of the great tribulation” because they “washed their robes in the blood of the lamb”. (Revelation 7:4,9,10, 13,14) So two groups of Christians are granted salvation based on the purity of their worship. One “little flock” bound for heaven as kings and priests, (Revelation 20:6) and the other, a “great crowd”, who will be their subjects. Then we will see Revelation 21:2-4 fulfilled.

Can I ask a personal question? I notice that you quoted the NWT, are you affiliated with the Jehovah's Witnesses?

I was raised in Christendom but totally repulsed by the hypocrisy I saw there. I went looking for God but I could not find him anywhere else. But just when I was about to give up....He found me, and I can honestly say that I discovered the truth somewhere that I would never have looked. I have studied the Bible deeply for over 50 years and I still discover hidden gems in the scriptures.

 

[Enoch111]

Now is not the time for ALL to hear the name of Jesus. God is not trying to convert the world between the first and second advents. If He was, then He has obviously failed.

For someone who calls himself "Berean" you have a rather poor understanding of why the Gospel was to be preached between the first and second advents. And since only those who obey the Gospel are saved, it has nothing to do with God "failing". Indeed Christ already to us that the gate and the way to eternal life is narrow, and only a few will take that path.

So the bottom line is that God will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. But only those who repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved.

 

[Enoch111]

No, all true believers will not be taken to heaven.

This is complete false and unbiblical.

 

[Stumpmaster]

In the Kingdom, all the REMAINDER of men, who are not of these called out ones, will have their opportunity to seek the Lord.

God is not willing that any should perish, so while provision has been made for all to be saved, because of their stubborn refusal to accept their need to be saved and their opposition to Christ, not all will be saved.

From my notes:
God gives sufficient grace to enable sinners to respond positively to Him and extends His offer of salvation to all.
Mat 5:44-45 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (45) That you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Act 17:24-27 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands; (25) Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he gives to all life, and breath, and all things; (26) And has made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; (27) That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

God gives efficient grace to effect regeneration in all those who have no will or desire to resist His calling them, meaning His efficient grace is irresistible to those whom the Holy Spirit is able quicken.
Joh 6:35-40 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst. (36) But I said unto you, That you also have seen me, and believe not. (37) All that the Father gives me shall come to me; and him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out. (38) For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. (39) And this is the Father's will which has sent me, that of all which he has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. (40) And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

 

[Aunty Jane]

This is complete false and unbiblical.

It’s very Biblical actually, as I have provided scripture to demonstrate that fact.
Heaven was never in God’s original plan for humankind. Paradise was right here on earth.....sin and death was never supposed to happen to us. Death was only a penalty for disobedience. The “tree of life” was there in the garden guaranteeing everlasting life....no ageing, no sickness and no death was planned for us.

The fact that God will take some humans to rule as “kings and priests” in his Kingdom, was because only humans know what it is like to be human.....all who rule us in the “new earth” will have lived as humans...including our King Christ Jesus. But God will return everything back to his first purpose for us, (Isaiah 55:11) which never included heaven.....go back to Genesis and see what humans were told to do.....then find me a natural cause of death....

Would it be such a terrible thing to live in paradise forever?

 

[Enoch111]

Would it be such a terrible thing to live in paradise forever?

Since Paradise in indeed in Heaven (the third heaven), that totally demolishes your false doctrine. In fact Paul equates Paradise and Heaven.

So kindly pay close attention to Scripture, and discard your erroneous ideas.

2 CORINTHIANS 12:
PAUL WAS CAUGHT UP TO PARADISE IN THE THIRD HEAVEN
1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. [Note: Paul is speaking of himself in the third person below]
2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth: such an one caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth.
4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

 

[Desire Of All Nations]

For someone who calls himself "Berean" you have a rather poor understanding of why the Gospel was to be preached between the first and second advents. And since only those who obey the Gospel are saved, it has nothing to do with God "failing". Indeed Christ already to us that the gate and the way to eternal life is narrow, and only a few will take that path.

So the bottom line is that God will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. But only those who repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved.

I wouldn't expect people who reject the Law to understand or accept this, but the commanded festivals in Lev. 23 show God hasn't been trying to save everybody in this age(more people would know this if they didn't rationalize the Holy Days away as being "Jewish" laws that were abolished). The fact that the festivals were all split between the smaller spring harvest season and the larger fall harvest season makes this clear.

Christ's sermon on the Last Great Day(Jhn 7:37) shows Christ literally prophesying about what is written in Rev. 20:12-13 where it teaches that the dead people who are resurrected at this point will have their opportunity for salvation. It is not a coincidence that Christ spoke those words on that particular day. Your argument highlights one of the many problems with Orthodox Christianity: putting words in Christ's mouth that aren't there. Yes, Christ said few will find the way that leads to life. What He didn't say though, is that there will only be a few people who will ever receive salvation. Romans teaches that Christ was the first of many Sons of God for a reason.

One of the obvious problems with the idea that God has spent all of human history trying to save everybody is that it doesn't account for the fact that many people have died before and after Christ's ascension without ever knowing He existed or was ever taught the true gospel. It literally makes no sense to believe God would penalize them for it, considering the scriptures says God desires all to be saved and know the truth. If Christ truly came to save everybody in this age, He would've spent a lot more than just 3 1/2 years on this earth mentoring only 120 people in 1 tiny part of the world.

Like Berean said, God did not intend for everybody to get their opportunity for salvation in this age. Christ plainly stated twice in Jhn 6 that nobody can come to Him unless the Father called them. Why? Because God intentionally cut the world off from the tree of life(Gen. 3:22-24)! Ask yourself 1 logical question: why would God cut people off from the tree of life and then expect them to "give their hearts to Christ" when it isn't up to them to call themselves?

 

[Stumpmaster]

Like Berean said, God did not intend for everybody to get their opportunity for salvation in this age. Christ plainly stated twice in Jhn 6 that nobody can come to Him unless the Father called them. Why? Because God intentionally cut the world off from the tree of life(Gen. 3:22-24)! Ask yourself 1 logical question: why would God cut people off from the tree of life and then expect them to "give their hearts to Christ" when it isn't up to them to call themselves?

Huh?

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

 

[Truman]

Huh?

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Stumpy is stumped? Huh? Lol

 

[RR144]

So the bottom line is that God will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. But only those who repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved.

and I would agree, the question now is ... when will they be saved?

RR

 

[Stumpmaster]

Stumpy is stumped? Huh? Lol

No stump too difficult.

 

[Truman]

No stump too difficult.

Oh, another wise-guy, eh? Lol This is my first-ever forum experience and I tell you, has it ever been a trip!
A regular gift-from-God! I am so blessed to be a part of it.
A place where even tacos can fall apart, and be loved back together!
I'm a tru-taco-man! Lol

 

[Aunty Jane]

Since Paradise in indeed in Heaven (the third heaven), that totally demolishes your false doctrine. In fact Paul equates Paradise and Heaven.

So kindly pay close attention to Scripture, and discard your erroneous ideas.

Perhaps we should not be so hasty in assuming that it is I who have the errors, and not yourself.....

Let's examine that scripture and see what Paul actually said....?

2 CORINTHIANS 12:
PAUL WAS CAUGHT UP TO PARADISE IN THE THIRD HEAVEN
1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. [Note: Paul is speaking of himself in the third person below]

So Paul was having "visions and revelations of the Lord" and yes, he was talking about himself....in the third person so as not to brag apparently...

2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth:

such an one caught up to the third heaven.

Does Paul explain what "the third heaven" actually is? He cannot even tell if it was an 'in body' experience or an 'out of body' experience....all he knew was what he was shown something amazing where he felt like he had been transported somewhere else.....without much of an explanation at all.

How many "heavens" are there mentioned in the Bible? There are actually three.

1) Heaven where God resides. (Matthew 6:9)
2) The heavens where the sun, moon and stars shine (outside of earth's atmosphere). (Psalm 8:3)
3) The heavens where the birds fly (inside of earth's atmosphere). (Matthew 6:26)

So among those three "heavens"...which one was described by Paul as Paradise?
The fact is, he does not say.
The phrase "third heaven" is actually an unexplained mystery.

When Jesus said to the evildoer who was hung beside him, "you will be with me in Paradise"....did he mean any of those "heavens"?

Actually it was none of those. As this man was not a disciple, there is no way that he was chosen for a role in heaven (Revelation 20:6).....and he was promised "Paradise"....not "Heaven"....so Jesus is evidently referring to the resurrection of those who did bad things in the New earth to come. (John 5:28-29) That man will be resurrected to 'be with Jesus in Paradise'.

The "new heavens and new earth", promised three times in the scriptures, is not a literal "new heaven and new earth". (Isaiah 65:17, 2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:1) The "new earth" is a new earthly society of God's tried and tested worshippers who were ransomed or redeemed by Christ's blood....these will inherit Paradise here on earth, where God placed mankind in the beginning......and the "new heavens" is God's kingdom which will rule over them, as it should have done from the start. This will be fulfilled in Revelation 21:2-4.

3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth.

4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

So, does Paul explain what things it was 'not lawful for a man to speak'? Or even why it was unlawful for him to speak of them?
You are actually reading a lot into a verse that has no scriptural explanation at all.

How can you demolish anything with no facts?

 

[Enoch111]

So among those three "heavens"...which one was described by Paul as Paradise? The fact is, he does not say.

He did not have to say "this was God's Heaven" since that was a given. Indeed it is called "the Paradise of God" in Scripture. So your argument is specious at best and disingenuous at worst. Looks like you do not have an ear to hear.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (Rev 2:7)

 

[Aunty Jane]

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

I am always amazed when people read right over words scripture....like they are not there.

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

What does it mean to "believe"?
James 2:19...."You believe that there is one God, do you? You are doing quite well. And yet the demons believe and shudder."

What kind of "belief" is it that Jesus spoke of? It has to mean more than just "believing". Faith is not passive, but active, so if I said "I had a dog" that means only one thing....but if I said "I exercised the dog"...that means that I took it for a walk. Faith works the same way. It has to be exercised.

And what happens when people refuse to "believe", or those who have a passive 'belief' that they never actually do anything about?
Jesus said that they would "perish".....do we understand what that means? If someone "perished" in a house fire, what would be left of them?

2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

How far does God's "longsuffering" stretch?
The word rendered "willing" here is a bit misleading because it can be translated in a variety of ways.
It actually can reflect what God wants or desires to happen, but will not force. So even though he desires that "ALL should come to repentance", the fact that some will "perish" means that what he desires will not necessarily come about because his offer of everlasting life is conditional....it always was. If you do not meet the conditions, then Jesus' sacrifice does not apply. Therefore, the opposite of everlasting life is everlasting death.

 

[Aunty Jane]

He did not have to say "this was God's Heaven" since that was a given.

Was it? Where is that stated?

Indeed it is called "the Paradise of God" in Scripture. So your argument is specious at best and disingenuous at worst. Looks like you do not have an ear to hear.

LOL...."methinks thou protesteth too much"....with very little to back up your assertions.

(1 Corinthians 10:12)

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

(Rev 2:7)

The Revelation is an amazing book with future things presented in signs, as John recorded. (Revelation 1:1)
So here we have Jesus' address to the seven congregations. Now concerning this "Paradise of God"....do you imagine that heaven has trees?
The "tree of life" in Genesis, where was it....and what was its purpose?
Where was the first Paradise that the Bible spoke about? Was it in heaven or on earth? Can you give me any scripture that tells us that trees grow in heaven?

The word "Paradise" ("paradeisos") means what?
According to Strongs, it means...

1. a grand enclosure or preserve, hunting ground, park, shady and well watered, in which wild animals, were kept for the hunt; it was enclosed by walls and furnished with towers for the hunters
   
2. a garden, pleasure ground
   
   1. grove, park"

Do you imagine that heaven is a shady, well watered park or garden?
The fact is you are asserting things that have no backing in scripture. You have beliefs, but that doesn't mean that they are true....