Location of God's Future Kingdom

[Davy]

I hate to say it, but I find many of my Christian brethren are confused about exactly 'where' Christ's future Kingdom will be when He returns to begin His literal reign. But you know, it's not really that difficult to discover, as long one stays in God's Word as written. There's simply too many not teaching it fairly directly from God's Word, and that is why so many brethren are confused and don't understand, but rely on their fleshy thinking about it.

For one thing, consider this; God's Word actually teaches that The Father and His Garden of Eden was once upon this earth, per Genesis 2. This is why Revelation 21 & 22 shows in the future, the new Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven to the earth in final with God's River of the Waters of Life manifesting on earth, and with the Tree of Life, and the full Godhead dwelling with us. In other words, it is a return to this earth of The Father and those things.

For those of you that must have some kind of 'direct' statement of fact in order to believe what I will cover below, you may as well turn back now and go somewhere else. God did not give everything in His Word using that method. He expects us to use the mind He gave us as guided by The Holy Spirit.

1. God's Garden of Eden was once upon this earth, prior to the fall of Adam.

So where's the direct statement of fact in His Word that proves that? What did I say above? If that's what you need to be convinced in His Word, then go somewhere else, for He did not give this to you who require direct statements to understand, yet.

Gen 2:6-8
6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.
7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom He had formed.
KJV

That mist from the earth means... the earth! Wow! No brainer. That is where this Scripture is showing that God formed the man Adam, pulling dust of the ground together and breathing in Adam's nostrils the Breath of Life. Then God planted a Garden in Eden, and placed Adam in it. Since Adam was made FLESH, where would that mean that Eden was? Yeah that's right, ON EARTH!

Gen 2:10-14
10 And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.
11 The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;
12 And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone.
13 And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia.
14 And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.
KJV

A River went out of God's Garden of Eden, and then fed four other rivers that were UPON THIS EARTH. Did you know two of those rivers that were fed are still on the earth today? The Hiddekel is another name for the Tigris, and the Euphrates is still called that. Both of them are in the land of modern day Iraq.

After Adam and Eve had disobeyed God's command to not eat of the tree in the midst of His Garden, He looked for them...

Gen 3:8
8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
KJV

What does that above verse show where GOD was at that time? On earth, which is where that Garden was, of course.

Some might say, "Oh no, it doesn't really means that, that idea of Eden and God being there walking is just a spiritual metaphor." No, it is not. It literally happened. You see brethren, some converts to Christ still entertain some of the old pagan ideology about God. They believe in things like Pantheism, like God is everywhere and in everything, so go hug a tree! Apostle Paul warned us about such beliefs in Romans 1, about those who worship the creature more than The Creator. Likewise, they don't see our Heavenly Father as having the image likeness of a man, even though Genesis 1:26-27 specifically shows us that's the image likeness He Himself has and created Adam with. Also because Apostle John said God is a Spirit (John 4:24), those same types default to pagan thinking about spirits and such, ghosts, not having any shape or form. Those kind of ideas about our Heavenly Father are not from His Word, and do not belong among the believing Christian.

So who can try to say that so far, these Scriptures are not pointing to God's Garden of Eden originally being upon this earth before Adam's fall?

Did you know Christ's Revelation parallels Genesis 2 for the future establishing?

Rev 22:1-4
22 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him:
4 And they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads.
KJV

Did you catch the fact back in Genesis 2 that God planted that Tree of Life in His Garden originally, on earth?

(Continued...)

 

[Davy]

(Continued...)

2. God's Tree of Life was once upon this earth with God.

Gen 2:8-9
8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there He put the man whom He had formed.
9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
KJV

Some believe that "tree of life in the midst of the garden" is just a spiritual metaphor. They believe the same thing about God's River of the Waters of Life too. They simply do not realize they are LITERAL things associated with GOD's Presence in His Eden, or Paradise (i.e., what the Greek Septuagint Old Testament called Eden).

So now we have direct references to God's River and the Tree of Life, in both Genesis and in Revelation. Revelation 22 does not reveal just where... that River and Tree of Life will be. That's not a problem, because elsewhere in God's Word, it does reveal it...

The following prophecy has NEVER... been fulfilled to this day:

Ezek 47:1-6
1 Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.

Starting with the Ezekiel 40 Chapter, God showed Ezekiel by vision the same holy city that Apostle John was shown in Revelation 21, only that with Ezekiel, God showed him in more detail. In Ezekiel's vision, God showed him His 'house', The Father's house. This was not shown to John, or at least John did not record it in Revelation.

This "house" being referred to is The Father's house which Lord Jesus referred to in John 14. Remember Jesus said I go to prepare a place for you, and in My Father's house are "many mansions" (i.e., abodes per the Greek, being about the priest's chambers described earlier in this Ezekiel prophecy).

These waters issuing out from God's Altar in His house is what Ezekiel is seeing. Is something like that even possible? Well, what came out of 'the rock' in the time of Moses when God told him to smite it (Exodus 17:6)? If you believe that really happened, then why not this as written also?


Ezekiel 47:2 Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.

Now Ezekiel is taken to the outside gate (of the holy city), and he sees those same waters flowing out on the right side.

3 And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.

The angel then took Ezekiel into those waters for a thousand cubits, and the waters were up to Ezekiel's ankles. (A cubit is around 18 inches, so 1000 x 18 / 12 = 1500 feet. That already is pointing to a very... wide shallow river.)

4 Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.

Ezekiel was taken another thousand cubits, and the waters are up to his knees. That points to a total distance of 3000 feet he has gone into this river. You engineers, how many cubic feet of water would that point to flowing?

5 Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.

Ezekiel goes in yet another thousand cubits, and this time the river was so deep he could not pass over it. Does this give you a sense of how powerful and how plentiful these waters were? And it took 4500 feet to even get that far in the river where you couldn't pass over it, so one could probably double that, or more, just to get to the other side of the river bank. (In contrast, the Amazon is said to be around 7 miles, according to its main stretches per Guinness World Records).

6 And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river.
7 Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.
KJV

Uh oh. What's these trees on either side of that river? Could this be a direct parallel to the Revelation 22:2 Scripture about the trees on either side of the river called the tree of life? Keep going, let's find out...

Ezek 47:8-10
8 Then said he unto me, "These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.

That is pointing to the Salt Sea, or Dead Sea, east of Jerusalem. The angel is saying those waters will be healed when that River flows into it.

9 And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.

That is not telling us exactly where else... that River will flow, but that suggests that it keeps flowing to other waters on the earth, and everywhere it flows, those waters are healed, and not only that, but those healed waters are made full of fish. Can GOD really do this? Yeah, I'm pretty sure He can!

10 And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from En-gedi even unto En-eglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many.
11 But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt.
KJV

En-gedi is located on the western shores of the Dead Sea. It is one of only two areas there with fresh water springs, and is a very fertile area. En-gedi is one of the places David sought refuge from king Saul. The point here though is, THIS En-gedi is part of WHERE God's River will flow, along with the Tree of Life!

Ezek 47:12
12 And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.
KJV

There we have a direct parallel again to Revelation 22 about God's River and the Tree of Life, and its fruit never being consumed, and its leaves for medicine.

So why didn't Apostle John give us this kind of detail in Revelation when he was shown about this River and the Tree of Life? Well, didn't God already provide this detail here through His prophet Ezekiel??? Why should He have to repeat it again for those too lazy to study all His Word? I don't say that to be mean brethren, but if you feel a little flush of the face coming on, just realize I'm just trying to help you, not embarrass you, and we all need a little nudge at times.

I'd love to get into the Biblical history of who God specifically gave this detail in Ezekiel to. God made Ezekiel a prophet sent particularly to the "house of Israel" (Ezekiel 3). And He said to show all this from Ezekiel 40 forward to the "house of Israel". In case you're not aware, the "house of Israel" in Ezekiel's day meant specifically the scattered ten tribes of the northern kingdom called the "house of Israel". They were in captivity to Assyria and the lands of the Medes first, before Judah went to Babylon. So the ten tribes in Ezekiel's day were just a bit farther north than where Ezekiel was, God then relocated Ezekiel among the ten tribes to give them His Message (see 1 Kings 11 thru 2 Kings 17). Those of the "house of Israel" then migrated from the east into Asia Minor, and Europe, and along with believing Gentiles there would become Christ's Church and the western Christian nations. Thus God's Message here through Ezekiel is especially for the ten lost tribes in Christ's Church today, and not just for Jews of the "house of Judah".

Continued...

 

[Davy]

In Summary:
God's River and the Tree of Life are REAL THINGS in His future Kingdom, on earth. Lord Jesus we are shown returning to this earth to reign, per Zechariah 14, even the detail of where His feet will touch down upon this earth. Have you read it? This is why it is still very important for the Christian to study all of God's Word, especially The Old Testament along with The New Testament. There are many prophecies where the 'details' were first written of back in the Old Testament prophets. It is only men's leaven doctrines that try to focus only on The New Testament Books and never show you the 'details' God gave through His prophets. This is why Apostle Peter said this for Christ's Church...

2 Peter 3:2
2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
KJV

 

[Eve]

So very interesting. I’d like to read more of your posts.

 

[Robert Gwin]

In Summary:
God's River and the Tree of Life are REAL THINGS in His future Kingdom, on earth. Lord Jesus we are shown returning to this earth to reign, per Zechariah 14, even the detail of where His feet will touch down upon this earth. Have you read it? This is why it is still very important for the Christian to study all of God's Word, especially The Old Testament along with The New Testament. There are many prophecies where the 'details' were first written of back in the Old Testament prophets. It is only men's leaven doctrines that try to focus only on The New Testament Books and never show you the 'details' God gave through His prophets. This is why Apostle Peter said this for Christ's Church...

2 Peter 3:2
2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
KJV

Jesus did say to God, Thy Kingdom Come. All Christians at some point in their lives have asked God for that same thing, so those of us who reside on the earth, say once again, let Your Kingdom Come, we are so very near to it's coming. I fully believe that many who are alive today will witness the coming of that Kingdom in their lifetime Dave.

 

[Bob Estey]

In Summary:
God's River and the Tree of Life are REAL THINGS in His future Kingdom, on earth. Lord Jesus we are shown returning to this earth to reign, per Zechariah 14, even the detail of where His feet will touch down upon this earth. Have you read it? This is why it is still very important for the Christian to study all of God's Word, especially The Old Testament along with The New Testament. There are many prophecies where the 'details' were first written of back in the Old Testament prophets. It is only men's leaven doctrines that try to focus only on The New Testament Books and never show you the 'details' God gave through His prophets. This is why Apostle Peter said this for Christ's Church...

2 Peter 3:2
2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
KJV

I might suggest that WHERE the kingdom is, is less important than WHAT the kingdom is. If we don't have peace of mind, then does it really matter WHERE it is? And if we DO have peace of mind, does it matter where we are?

 

[Davy]

I might suggest that WHERE the kingdom is, is less important than WHAT the kingdom is. If we don't have peace of mind, then does it really matter WHERE it is? And if we DO have peace of mind, does it matter where we are?

No, where... the Kingdom 'will be'... is just as important, because some believe it is already 'here' on earth 'literally'. They do not understand it involves more than just a spiritual manifestation through the members of Christ's Church. If God didn't want us to know this, then He would not have mentioned it in His Word. So then, 'we', are supposed to be aware of it, as description of that world to come is one of the hopes He gives us. Otherwise, men will be busy creating their own version of His Kingdom (which some already wrongly do).

 

[Behold]

exactly 'where' Christ's future Kingdom will be when He returns to begin His literal reign.

Jerusalem

Right in here...
-

 

[Davy]

Jerusalem

Right in here...
-

Yeah, but greatly expanded, per the Ezekiel 40-48 layout.

The Millennial Sanctuary and Oblation of Ezekiel 40-48. - Appendix to the Companion Bible

 

[Bob Estey]

No, where... the Kingdom 'will be'... is just as important, because some believe it is already 'here' on earth 'literally'. They do not understand it involves more than just a spiritual manifestation through the members of Christ's Church. If God didn't want us to know this, then He would not have mentioned it in His Word. So then, 'we', are supposed to be aware of it, as description of that world to come is one of the hopes He gives us. Otherwise, men will be busy creating their own version of His Kingdom (which some already wrongly do).

I think Matthew 4:17 explains it well: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Once we repent, we understand.

 

[Behold]

Yeah, but greatly expanded, per the Ezekiel 40-48 layout.

Jesus will literally be IN Jerusalem., as will be all the born again.

There is this also..>"of His Kingdom, there is no END"... Luke 1.

And here is another way to think about it...... consider that God created it all, and that Jesus is God.
If you read Colossians 1:16, it really details the entire kingdom that is owned, operated, and continued by Christ incarnate, Jesus the Word made flesh.

 

[Davy]

I think Matthew 4:17 explains it well: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Once we repent, we understand.

That would mean you're suggesting there's no need for us to read the Book of Ezekiel, particularly the Ezekiel 40 thru 48 Chapters where God showed us the future 'sanctuary' on earth that Jesus will reign from with His elect priests. I assure you, understanding about the future Millennial 'sanctuary' that Jesus will build when He returns, and reign from, won't be immediately understood just by Faith on Him and baptism alone. He commanded us to stay in His Word to become His disciples (John 8:31-32).

 

[Bob Estey]

That would mean you're suggesting there's no need for us to read the Book of Ezekiel, particularly the Ezekiel 40 thru 48 Chapters where God showed us the future 'sanctuary' on earth that Jesus will reign from with His elect priests. I assure you, understanding about the future Millennial 'sanctuary' that Jesus will build when He returns, and reign from, won't be immediately understood just by Faith on Him and baptism alone. He commanded us to stay in His Word to become His disciples (John 8:31-32).

I would encourage people to read the entire Bible. Still, I don't think we can understand the benefits of repentance till we repent.

 

[quietthinker]

Location of God's Future Kingdom
Broadway?
oh no...alright.....Narrow way?

 

[Davy]

I would encourage people to read the entire Bible. Still, I don't think we can understand the benefits of repentance till we repent.

I well know the benefits of repenting to Christ Jesus. I wasn't baptized until I turned 40, so I had a lot of time of sinning before that, even though I always believed. After I was baptized, and He hit me with The Holy Spirit urge to study His Word line upon line, that is when He began to put me in places where brethren were asking Him for help in His Word. So those situations I cannot deny, nor the folks that had prayed to Him for help in His Word. If we do disciplined Bible study in His Word like we're supposed to, He will use us, but that of course is only after repentance and likely baptism also with witnesses.