Bible Question:
good morning brothers and sisters.i have been researching isaiah 65:20 and i still remain confused on it.i spoke to a pastor on this becouse it reads in this verse that there will be death at 100 years in heaven at that of course can not be correct for heaven is for eternity (i.e. forever).the pastor said what this chapter and verse is saying is that "there will be no infants or elderly for we all will be the same age in heaven".well that sounded good and i accepted it , however i re-read it and i still dont see that.i have looked in comentary books and looked at the archives on this web site on this verse and im still confused.the person who answered on this verse refered to the verse as "speaking of the melinium" but i dont see that mentioned in scripture either.i know that not one word in the bible is wrong but this one is really hard for me to grasp for some reason.i will accept the pastors advise on this for i have faith in his heart and feel he is blessed with the teaching gift but hopefully one of the many wise , bibliclly knowledgeable brothers and sisters out there can help me on this. thak you all in advance for i know i will get a reply. and God bless each and every one of you :) Dan |
Bible Answer: [Since your question was posted twice, I don't mind posting my answer twice. :-)] Answer: "Never read a Bible verse. That's right, never read a Bible verse. Instead, always read a paragraph–at least" (www.str.org/free/studies/neverrea.htm). Isaiah 65:19-23 (ESV) I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress. [20] No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed. [21] They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. [22] They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. [23] They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity, for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the Lord, and their descendants with them. Dan: Thank you for posting a good question -- one which many of us would probably like to have answered. Nothing I write here should be considered as criticism of you or anything you have written. I merely discuss the topic at hand. You write: "...it reads in this verse that there will be death at 100 years in heaven..." Actually this passage does not say that these conditions are in *heaven.* In the context, what it says is: "I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people (v. 19)." Please note that it says "in Jerusalem," not "in heaven." Notice also that the passage speaks of building houses, planting vineyards and bearing children. Yet nowhere does the Bible speak of these activities happening in heaven. For example, in the Gospels we are told: Matthew 22:30 (ESV) For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. Mark 12:25 (ESV) For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. You write: "the person who answered on this verse refered to the verse as "speaking of the melinium" but i dont see that mentioned in scripture either." "The saved but non-glorified group of individuals will enter the Millennial kingdom in natural, human bodies and so will be subject to death and disease. Revelation 22 and Ezekiel 47 tell us that the leaves of the trees that grow along the river of life are for the healing of the nations. Isaiah 65 tells us that people on earth at that time will live long lives, and if someone dies at 100 he will be considered accursed. Evidently, similar to those days prior to the flood, people will live hundreds of years" (see "What conditions will characterize the Millennium?" by Gary Vaterlaus. www.solagroup.org/articles/faqs/faq_0015.html) This post of mine is by no means intended to be a comprehensive treatment of the subject of the millenium or of Isaiah 65. But I trust this answer will be of some help to you. Grace to you, kalos |