Jehovah’s Witnesses think the first century congregation represents a major unfolding of God’s purpose toward humankind. It represents just how “Abraham’s seed” is to bring blessings to “all the nations.” (Genesis 12:3, 18:18) Galatians 3:8 ties that seed to the early congregation. It is a new page in God’s handbook, that some from humankind would rule with Christ to bring blessings to the earth, the “twelve tribes.”
Jesus makes with the twelve, who have stuck with him through all his tribulations, the new covenant to be part of this kingdom. (Luke 22:30) It is “reserved in the heavens for you.” (1 Peter 1:4) The focus of the New Testament is on this new development, that some are called to heaven, to rule over the earth. “Have you begun ruling as kings without us?” Paul addresses the unruly Corinthians. “I really wish that you had begun ruling as kings, so that we also might rule with you as kings.” Plainly, not everyone can be a king. Plainly, there needs be ones to be kings over. Enter Revelation 21:
Revelation 21:3-5 picks up on how the seed will fulfill that promise to Abraham of bringing earthly blessings by means of his seed. There, that heavenly arrangement, called “New Jerusalem” (‘old ‘Jerusalem was the seat of government for God’s ancient people) descends from heaven to benefit “mankind” and “peoples.” Those “peoples” and “mankind” don’t go up to the New Jerusalem; rather, the New Jerusalem descends to them.
Paul does refer to a gathering of the “things of the heaven” and “things on the earth” at Ephesians 1:10.
1 Corinthians 15:24-26 relates how, once the kingdom has succeeded in bringing death to nothing, that kingdom itself will be handed over to Christ’s “God and Father.”
Revelation 7:9 tells of a “great crowd” gathered who will survive the great tribulation.) Witnesses associate this group with the “other sheep” of John 10:16.) No sense in gathering them when the great tribulation is yet centuries off. So most of the NT focuses on those with the heavenly hope.
This either resonates with a person or it doesn’t. Jehovah’s Witnesses appreciate that God put humans on earth, which he told them to fill and multiply, because he wanted them there, not because he wanted them somewhere else. The “covenant for a kingdom” is a major revelation in just how he will succeed in that, undoing the negative effects of Adam and Eve’s rebellion. The New Testament is primarily messaging to and from those with and about that heavenly hope.
Jehovah’s Witnesses love the earth, appreciate it as the gift he gives to mankind. (Psalm 115:16) They don’t hope to leave it. They hope to live forever on it once it is restored to God’s original purpose. They appreciate Jesus promise (of the “Lord’s prayer”) that once God’s kingdom comes, his will is to take place “on earth, as it is in heaven.’ (Matthew 6:9) Blessed a the meek, he says. Why? Because they will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)
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