36. Eternity - The Final Dispensation

Chapter 36
Eternity - The Last Dispensation

We now enter the last and final dispensation of all times - the dispensation of Eternity Future - “Faithful Angels and the Redeemed of the Lord – the Age of all Ages.” Whereas in the very beginning - Eternity Past, angels administered the affairs of the earth, and now in this final dispensation of Eternity Future, faithful angels AND resurrected saints will continue to assist God and Christ to administer the affairs of the earth.  Earth, and more specific, the New Jerusalem will be its headquarters.

Very much like Eternity Past, the Bible is very vague about Eternity Future.  How all the details flush out, is in the mind of God.  As far as what God wants His people to know, He is more concerned that we spent this lifetime following after Him, learning to trust Him while we walk this earth, then putting our future into His hands.  Faith in Christ Jesus has always been a walk of faith.

New Jerusalem Comes to Earth

The New Jerusalem, the Holy City of God, which presently dwells in heaven, will come down from heaven to earth.  Most biblical scholars speculate that it will rest over or upon the old Jerusalem in Israel where the temple of Jesus resided during the 1000-year period of the Millennium.  As God brings the New Jerusalem down through the newly cleansed heavenlies, meaning the place where Satan and his demonic host roamed, the New Jerusalem will rest upon the newly cleansed (or new) earth.  Many scholars speculate the City of God will rest over, not upon the area where Jerusalem is located today.  The twelve gates of the Holy City will open and the twelve great rivers that have been flowing down the mountainside from the throne of God will flow out into the earth. These rivers will impart to the whole earth the waters of life from God.  While all salt waters of oceans will have been gone, the fresh waters from heaven, filled with the life of God, will create and filtrate into the rivers, lake, and streams throughout the whole earth to receive life – eternal life.  There will be no more seas.  The Tree(s) of Life will be planted alongside the river waters throughout the earth for the healing of the nations.  This city of God will be the eternal headquarters for God and His theogratic government.  The city of God will also be the home of us immortal saints to live forevermore.  

Rev 22:2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the Tree of Life, which bore twelve fruit, each tree yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the trees were for the healing of the nations.

Gen 3:22…And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the Tree of Life, and eat, and live forever…

All Mankind Will Live Forever

We know that all God's angels and immortal and resurrected saints will have no need of water and food for life because they have glorified bodies.  While water and food can be for pleasure, the food and water spoken of her is for all those who survived the Millennial Period.  The natural survivors from the Millennium have proven themselves faithful to God, so they will probably continue to live forever just as God planned for Adam and Eve.  They will need to eat of the Tree of Life, however, to continue to live forever.  Unlike Adam and Eve, they will be free of any temptation of Satan because He will be in the Eternal Lake of Fire for all eternity. 

Hell was originally created for Satan and his angels.  God never meant for mankind to spend his eternity with Satan in the Lake of Fire because it was always His intention that man would live with Him forever in love, joy and peace.  Many, however, chose to deny Christ and His ways; therefore, by default chose to follow after Satan and his angels.     

2 Pet 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.

Matt 25:41  Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Will the survivors of the Millennial Period upon the earth continue to populate the earth?  This we do not know.  One thing sure:  These survivors have already proven themselves faithful to Jesus and God throughout the Millennial Reign of Jesus.  Satan is gone, so temptation is no longer an issue.  Pure living will continue as if the fall had never happened. 

The Bible was never written as a linear book to where there is a beginning and an end.  God is relational and the Bible is a circular book.  The end of Revelation takes us right back to the beginning of Genesis.  While the fall of Adam and Eve put a temporary 6000 year halt to God original purpose on earth, coming to the new heaven and the new earth brings us right back to the beginning. 

So then, if we went back to the time God created Adam and Eve, we know that God commanded them to populate the earth.    The Tree of Life was offered to them so they could live forever.   God wanted a loving relationship with His created beings so that He could fellowship with then forever.  God's purpose for man has never changed.

Rev 21:5 Behold, I make all things new…

Rev 22:3 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.

Restoration of God’s original purpose for mankind

The fall of man did not do away with God’s original plan to replenish the earth. It only postponed it until the time of the restitution of all things (Acts 3:21).  Planting, harvest, coolness, heat, day, night, times and seasons, along with every other phase of natural life will be fully realized forever, just as it was before the fall of Adam and Eve.  Summers will not be scorching hot or muggy, neither will winters be cold, snowy and icy. Weather conditions will be favorable among all people (Gen 8:22).

The natural earthly people who live on the earth outside the New Jerusalem will be allowed to walk inside the city to bring their gifts to the LORD. Angels, however, will guard the pearly gates to determine who and who cannot enter within the New Jerusalem.  Only the saints of God, however, will live in the Holy City.

Rev 21:23-26 And the city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it, and the Lamb is its light. And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there).

Loss of Brain Power Capacity

Going back to the chapter on Freedom of Choice - Life or Death, we learned that Adam and Eve, created in the image and likeness of God, was given 100% brain power capacity.  Because of sin, mankind began to diminish his full brain power capacity.  Slowly over the generations, sin deteriated man's brain to where it has lessened to where he only uses 6 - 9% of its full capacity today.  Knowing that during the time of the Millennium and into Eternal Future, natural man’s brain power capacity will expand to reach what was given to Adam and Eve.  Satan and all of his hosts will be burning in the Eternal Lake of Fire.  That leaves mankind to obey God out of love and faithfulness. 

What will happen in Eternity Future?  Only God in His infinite mind knows.  Since He has promised eternal life to His believing family, co-ruling and co-reigning with Christ for 1000 years, we can be certain that God has a plan for each and every single person, filled with purpose as Jesus continues to be the King of kings and the Lord of Lords.

   Our Responsibility as Saints in Christ Now

God has desired to rescue the fallen human race from the ravages of sin and restore mankind to the place of His original intention.  While the time of 6000 years seems to have been a long time coming, God's time table is different than ours.  A day to Him is like a thousand years to us (1 Pet 3:8-9).  God has been patiently waiting for the human race to come to Him.  Through Christ, as His saints upon earth, we need to know that we already “spiritually” rule and reign with Him over the powers of the enemy. While we are presently in conflict with the strongholds of Satan under spiritual warfare upon the earth, Christ has given us all the armored weapons we need to conquer over him.

Eph 6:11-19 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-NKJV

To the extent that we live under Christ’s lordship in this life will determine how much we taste of His kingdom rule in our eternal future. While our authority has limited power in this life, what we have is only a taste of what is to come when we will rule and reign with Christ for a thousand years and then serve Him on into eternity. While we await the day when we will physically rule and reign with Christ over the whole earth, we know we will soon realize the full expression of what is soon to come for us.  As saints of Christ, we need to develop and maintain the eternal perspective of our destiny we have with Christ.  Understanding all that we have and knowing that this life is but a vapor, gives us a better perspective of God’s total plan for us. It also helps us to endure joyfully the present trials now while we anticipate our glorious destiny with Christ throughout eternity.

It is critically important to know and understand our eternal rewards as Christians. How we serve Christ here on earth will determine the vastness of our rulership with Him for all eternity. Without exception, Christians are all leaders who have a call of God on their lives. How vital it is for each one of us to know our calling and to walk out what God has already planted within us in this life. God’s promise to us is: “If we will be faithful over a few things, He will make us rulers over many things” (Matt 25:21).  As we enter into heaven, what a delight it will be to hear the Lord say, “Well done, good and faithful servant; I will make you ruler over many things because you were faithful to the few things that I put you in charge of while you were on the earth. “Enter into the joy of the LORD.”   Forever and ever, we will rule and reign with Christ our Lord and Savior.

How to become a saint in Christ

After reading this book, realizing Jesus is the Son of God Who died on the cross for your sins, would you right now receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?  Knowing and understanding the reality of heaven and hell, which will last for all eternity, and the blessings that come with living for God, would you take this moment to pray and receive Jesus personally into your heart?

Dear Father in heaven, I come to you believing that Jesus Christ is Your Son, Who died for me on the cross of Calvary. I invite Jesus to come into my life right now.

I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and is coming back to get His people very soon. I desire to be one of Your people and spend all eternity with You.

To the best of my ability, with the help of Your Holy Spirit that You now activate within me, I will live each day for You, seeking Your Word for my life. It will be my instructional guide in everything I do. I await the time very soon when You will come back to bring me to Yourself.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY OF GOD

JESUS IS LORD

End Notes

(1)  Dakes, Finis.  Dakes Annotated Bible - Dakes Publishing Co. Pg 618 O.T.