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NASB | Matthew 11:11 "Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 11:11 "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater [in privilege] than he. |
Subject: "Least in the kingdom of God"? |
Bible Note: Greetings Ralph, "Did you notice that no one sent Emmaus a note to back off the JW rhetoric?" Yes, I did. But did you notice that his note was a simple, objective statement about the viewpoint what VictorA's posts reflected? He did not say, either directly or indirectly, "Don't be deceived by him", or "he is a religious bigot", or anything alike. Hence the no replies... My answers to your questions: 1) If Adam did not sin, how long would he have lived? Forever. 2) What would the earth look like if sin had not entered the world? It would be the Garden of Eden, or Paradise. 3) What does this tell you about God's original purpose for the earth? The earth was to provide people with food and everything they needed in their lives. :-) If in your question you rather mean 'people' instead of 'the earth', His original purpose for man was to rule over all His creation, to His good pleasure, according to Genesis 1. But God's original purpose for man has changed; as He revealed through Jesus and His prophets, He will first destroy all the earth, then rebuild it and allow only His own to enter His kingdom. See, for example, the book of Micah. I could have chosen the book of any other prophet but I like Micah because it is very concise: "Therefore, the LORD says: 'I am planning disaster against this people, from which you cannot save yourselves. You will no longer walk proudly, for it will be a time of calamity.'" Micah 2:3 "In that day," declares the LORD, I will gather the lame; I will assemble the exiles and those I have brought to grief. I will make the lame a remnant, those driven away a strong nation. The LORD will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever." Micah 4:6-7 Jesus is the same LORD who will rule over all the earth: "He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace." Micah 5:4-5 (Read Micah 5:1-5; Jesus is the Promised Ruler, coming from Bethlehem..) This does NOT mean that Satan has destroyed God's plan; but personally I would think we have to give God the right to change His Mind any time He wishes! (There have been examples that He was grieved about what He had done, and did something which was not part of His 'original' plan; again, because of the iniquity of men. See Gen 6, the story of Noah.) We, sinners, humans, all of us, should have been cast to eternal damnation; but what is waiting for the reborn is actually better than what He originally planned for mankind, and that is because He is extraordinarily Gracious, to say the least. If we are born of the Spirit, we are not merely animal-like, instint-led humans any more; we are one with Him, and heirs of the eternal Kingdom. God's purpose for us is no longer to eat and drink and reproduce but to be completely united with Him! And that makes much sense to me. I do not know about you, but my wish for eternity is not to have my own planet to rule over, I can hardly keep my 10sqm room tidy and organized.. Neither do I dream about lying around and bearing children one after the other, or butchering animals for myself - by the way, would they just get cooked and ready for dinner all by themselves in your ideal picture of heaven? Personally I am rather looking forward to resting forever in a tiny corner of the Merciful Heart of my Lord Jesus; in peace, comfort and security, nourished by His Warmth and His Love - the Everlasting Water He promised to fill our thirst with. And I will be happy and satisfied - that is my hope, faith and driving force. :-) You are fully entitled to prefer the butchery, though. "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy." Micah 7:18 This is indeed fundamental, uncomplicated and beautiful to ponder for humans... :-) (To be continued) |