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Why will the nations need healing in the New Jerusalem? If the New Earth is perfect, without sin and death, what will be the purpose of the tree of life?

Why will the nations need healing in the New Jerusalem?

OLAADEGBU:
Why will the nations need healing in the New Jerusalem? If the New Earth is perfect, without sin and death, what will be the purpose of the tree of life?

Maybe those nations are not of this earth. They could be nations of other civilizations out there, nations of other worlds in the universe still waiting for the government of Christ.

ayoku777:
Maybe those nations are not of this earth. They could be nations of other civilizations out there, nations of other worlds in the universe still waiting for the government of Christ.

Do you believe there are other aliens out there?

OLAADEGBU:
Do you believe there are other aliens out there?

As a matter of fact I do. I believe there are other civilizations out there, or that there will be in the course of eternity. Old creations of God that are waiting for the new creation government of Christ.

Below is an article I wrote about this issue some few days back. Its my personal opinion based on my interpretation of some scriptural verses.

Please feel free to be opinionated about the points or have a different interpretation. Agreeing or disagreeing with these points does not add to or subtract from salvation through faith in Christ.

<<< There are some scriptures in the bible that "hint" or suggests to me the idea that there just might be other civilizations out there somewhere in the universe; or that there will be in the course of eternity.

The first scripture that suggest there might be other civilizations out there is this:

1. The increase of His government, there shall be no end.

Isaiah 9v7 - Of the INCREASE of His government and peace THERE SHALL BE NO END, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.

Notice it didn't say "His government shall never end"; it said, "the INCREASE of His government shall never end."

If planet earth is the only civilization in the entire universe, then it means once the New Jerusalem comes down to earth and the government of Christ is fully established on earth; that would be all. There would be nowhere else for the kingdom of God to be established or for the government of Christ to increase and extend to.

But this scripture states that the government of Christ will continue to increase and extend for eternity, which suggests that there are civilizations out there (or there will be in the course of eternity) where the government of Christ will increase and extend to after it has been established on earth.

That is the only rational interpretation for "the INCREASE of His government there shall be no end." You can't have the increase of His government for eternity; if planet earth is and will be the only civilization in the universe. Can you?

Governments increase by adding other territories to their kingdom or to their rule. And governments are established over civilizations and intelligent life forms, not over non-living things.

The second scripture that suggest there just might be other civilizations out there is this:

2. His name shall be in our foreheads; and we shall reign forever.

Revelation 22v4-5 -And they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads.

And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither the light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign forever and ever.

His name being on our foreheads doesn't just show we belong to Him; but also that we are sent from Him. It is the mark of ambassadorial representation, when we mediate for Him. That is how bondservants who go on errands for their master are marked or branded.

This vaguely suggest that we will be sent of God as Kingdom ambassadors in the course of eternity. Question is; sent to where? And to who? Are there other lands? Other civilizations out there? Creations of God, awaiting His new creation government?

We are called priests and kings for a reason. Priests are mediators; and they represent God before others. And Kings are royalty; they reign over others. If we are going to be priests and kings that mediate and reign for eternity; then it means that there are, or there will be others.

We will not reign as kings over each other as new creation; only Christ will reign over us. We will reign as kings over others. And I don't believe those "others" are angels. Angels are ministering spirits for heirs of salvation; more like Personal assistants to royalties.

Those we will mediate for and reign over can only therefore be people who are neither angels nor part of the new creation.

Then the third scripture that suggest there just might be other civilizations out there is this:

3. The healing of the nations.

Rev 22v2 -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.

Its needful to know, that at this point in the scheme of things, God has already created a new heaven and a new earth. A perfect earth without death, sorrow, sickness, infirmity or pain any longer. The former things have passed away in this earth.

Rev 21v1 - And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

v4 -And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

No imperfection or anything of the old order will exist on this new earth when the New Jerusalem comes down. Suggesting therefore that whatever nations will still need healing at this point cannot be of this new earth. Meaning that, there are, or there will be, civilizations or worlds with nations -that are not of the new earth.

These are probably such nations outside the new earth that are still waiting for the establishment of the kingdom of God, and for the government of Christ to be extended to them. Other creations of God waiting for His new creation government.

Infact I believe what we call the millenial reign is a 1000-year training for what we will do as believers for all eternity. I believe planet earth is only the first civilization that will be colonized with the new creation gospel of the kingdom; and also the training ground for those through whom God will extend that government to the rest of the universe.

Christians and people who think we will just sing praises and float around in white garments for all eternity need to think again. The kingdom of God is a full-fledged kingdom; with a government and rule that will continue to increase for all eternity.

I don't believe God created billions of galaxies and trillions of planets just to fill up space or just to beautify our night sky. No! Our God is very deliberate and "on-purpose". This thing called "the gospel of the kingdom" is an everlasting gospel (Rev 14v6). >>>

Shalom.

OLAADEGBU:
Why will the nations need healing in the New Jerusalem? If the New Earth is perfect, without sin and death, what will be the purpose of the tree of life?

The answer the question is quite simple.
The Christians still living on earth are part of the heavenly Jerusalem. Hebrew 12:22-23.
The nations that needs healing in that passage of the Scripture are the saints living on earth. We are also part of the heavenly jerusalem.
The healing revered to here is Not a healing from physical disease But from spiritual disease called the old man or old nature. Ephesians 4:22-31
The healing process is called sanctification. 1 Thessalonian 3-4
The tree in that passage is simply the word of God, or the glory(face of God) or Jesus Christ. John 17:17. 1corinthians 1:30.
We undergo healing in oder to be glorified or to attain to perfection and be presented spotless and blameless before the throne of God when we leave this work. 2 Peter 3:14.

OLAADEGBU:
Why will the nations need healing in the New Jerusalem? If the New Earth is perfect, without sin and death, what will be the purpose of the tree of life?

The answer the question is quite simple.
The Christians still living on earth are part of the heavenly Jerusalem. Hebrew 12:22-23.
The nations that needs healing in that passage of the Scripture are the saints living on earth. We are also part of the heavenly jerusalem.
The healing referred to here is Not a healing from physical disease But from spiritual disease called the old man or old nature. Ephesians 4:22-31
The healing process is called sanctification. 1 Thessalonian 3-4
The tree in that passage is simply the word of God, or the glory(face of God) or Jesus Christ. John 17:17. 1corinthians 1:30.
We undergo healing in oder to be glorified or to attain to perfection and be presented spotless and blameless before the throne of God when we leave this work. 2 Peter 3:14.

OLAADEGBU:
Why will the nations need healing in the New Jerusalem? If the New Earth is perfect, without sin and death, what will be the purpose of the tree of life?

The answer the question is quite simple.
The Christians still living on earth are part of the heavenly Jerusalem. Hebrew 12:22-23.
The nations that needs healing in that passage of the Scripture are the saints living on earth. We are also part of the heavenly jerusalem.
The healing referred to here is Not a healing from physical disease But from spiritual disease called the old man or old nature. Ephesians 4:22-31
The healing process is called sanctification. 1 Thessalonian 3-4
The tree in that passage is simply the word of God, or the glory(face of God) or Jesus Christ. John 17:17. 1corinthians 1:30.
We undergo healing in oder to be glorified or to attain to perfection and be presented spotless and blameless before the throne of God when we leave this world. 2 Peter 3:14

ayoku777:
As a matter of fact I do. I believe there are other civilizations out there, or that there will be in the course of eternity. Old creations of God that are waiting for the new creation government of Christ.

Below is an article I wrote about this issue some few days back. Its my personal opinion based on my interpretation of some scriptural verses.

Please feel free to be opinionated about the points or have a different interpretation. Agreeing or disagreeing with these points does not add to or subtract from salvation through faith in Christ.

<<< There are some scriptures in the bible that "hint" or suggests to me the idea that there just might be other civilizations out there somewhere in the universe; or that there will be in the course of eternity.

The first scripture that suggest there might be other civilizations out there is this:

1. The increase of His government, there shall be no end.

Isaiah 9v7 - Of the INCREASE of His government and peace THERE SHALL BE NO END, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.

Notice it didn't say "His government shall never end"; it said, "the INCREASE of His government shall never end."

If planet earth is the only civilization in the entire universe, then it means once the New Jerusalem comes down to earth and the government of Christ is fully established on earth; that would be all. There would be nowhere else for the kingdom of God to be established or for the government of Christ to increase and extend to.

But this scripture states that the government of Christ will continue to increase and extend for eternity, which suggests that there are civilizations out there (or there will be in the course of eternity) where the government of Christ will increase and extend to after it has been established on earth.

That is the only rational interpretation for "the INCREASE of His government there shall be no end." You can't have the increase of His government for eternity; if planet earth is and will be the only civilization in the universe. Can you?

Governments increase by adding other territories to their kingdom or to their rule. And governments are established over civilizations and intelligent life forms, not over non-living things.

The second scripture that suggest there just might be other civilizations out there is this:

2. His name shall be in our foreheads; and we shall reign forever.

Revelation 22v4-5 -And they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads.

And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither the light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign forever and ever.

His name being on our foreheads doesn't just show we belong to Him; but also that we are sent from Him. It is the mark of ambassadorial representation, when we mediate for Him. That is how bondservants who go on errands for their master are marked or branded.

This vaguely suggest that we will be sent of God as Kingdom ambassadors in the course of eternity. Question is; sent to where? And to who? Are there other lands? Other civilizations out there? Creations of God, awaiting His new creation government?

We are called priests and kings for a reason. Priests are mediators; and they represent God before others. And Kings are royalty; they reign over others. If we are going to be priests and kings that mediate and reign for eternity; then it means that there are, or there will be others.

We will not reign as kings over each other as new creation; only Christ will reign over us. We will reign as kings over others. And I don't believe those "others" are angels. Angels are ministering spirits for heirs of salvation; more like Personal assistants to royalties.

Those we will mediate for and reign over can only therefore be people who are neither angels nor part of the new creation.

Then the third scripture that suggest there just might be other civilizations out there is this:

3. The healing of the nations.

Rev 22v2 -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.

Its needful to know, that at this point in the scheme of things, God has already created a new heaven and a new earth. A perfect earth without death, sorrow, sickness, infirmity or pain any longer. The former things have passed away in this earth.

Rev 21v1 - And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

v4 -And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

No imperfection or anything of the old order will exist on this new earth when the New Jerusalem comes down. Suggesting therefore that whatever nations will still need healing at this point cannot be of this new earth. Meaning that, there are, or there will be, civilizations or worlds with nations -that are not of the new earth.

These are probably such nations outside the new earth that are still waiting for the establishment of the kingdom of God, and for the government of Christ to be extended to them. Other creations of God waiting for His new creation government.

Infact I believe what we call the millenial reign is a 1000-year training for what we will do as believers for all eternity. I believe planet earth is only the first civilization that will be colonized with the new creation gospel of the kingdom; and also the training ground for those through whom God will extend that government to the rest of the universe.

Christians and people who think we will just sing praises and float around in white garments for all eternity need to think again. The kingdom of God is a full-fledged kingdom; with a government and rule that will continue to increase for all eternity.

I don't believe God created billions of galaxies and trillions of planets just to fill up space or just to beautify our night sky. No! Our God is very deliberate and "on-purpose". This thing called "the gospel of the kingdom" is an everlasting gospel (Rev 14v6). >>>

Shalom.

Great imagination but purely circumstantial
Christ' reign began at Pentecost and has been expanding.

The purpose of the galaxy?
Don't go too far. Our own solar system is certified uninhabitable. Start with those. Why do they exist? Wha makes you think that space and rocks are meant to be inhabited? Only of the earth does God say He created it to be inhabited. If you extrapolate this further than than the earth, you run into even bigger rocks that are not; contradictions galore. At thi point, review your assumptions.

Again on kings and priests, we are called that NOW, we are priests and kings
Revelation 1:6 King James Version (KJV)
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

It is also NOW that we are ambassadors not future

2 Corinthians 5:20 King James Version (KJV)
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

OLAADEGBU:
Why will the nations need healing in the New Jerusalem?

My Negro,
One of the problems with Revelation is running with metaphors and reading them literally or reading literal acts/events as symbols.

Why should healing be literal?

OLAADEGBU:
Why will the nations need healing in the New Jerusalem? If the New Earth is perfect, without sin and death, what will be the purpose of the tree of life?

Suggested answer:

One of God's promises concerning the eternal state is that the nations of the world will have healing. The question comes up, though, as to why exactly healing is needed. Isn't the New Jerusalem a place of perfection already?

The promise of the healing of the nations is found in Revelation 22, after the creation of the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1). John writes, "Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever" (Revelation 22:1–5).

The healing of the nations is linked to the tree of life, as God reestablishes Eden. It is the leaves of this tree that are said to be “for the healing of the nations” (Revelation 22:2). It is possible that the tree of life in the New Jerusalem is literal and that its leaves and various fruits will somehow enrich our existence in the eternal state. All the nations represented there will be “healed” of their divisions and strife in their equal access to the tree of life.

It is also possible that the tree of life in the New Jerusalem is symbolic and that its "healing" signifies the eternal life that all will enjoy there. The different fruits it bears could represent the unlimited variety of our existence in heaven. The clear flowing river that waters the tree could picture the spiritual life of God's redeemed—the "living water" Jesus promised in John 4:13–14.

The healing the tree of life's leaves provide is not the healing of the wounds of battle—warfare will have ended. The healing is not needed for combating sickness—there will be no more sickness, death, or pain (Revelation 21:4). No, the "healing" is a reference to the perpetual blessing of the new heaven and earth; never again will the world be plagued by physical disorders or spiritual malaise or corruption. There will be no more warfare, no strife, no conflicting factions. God will heal all that ails His creation, and there will be no more curse (Revelation 22:3).

In the eternal state, everything will be blessed, and the tree of life represents that blessedness. There will be perfect sinlessness, perfect government, perfect service to God, perfect communion, and perfect glory. It is impossible for us to imagine being totally separated from sin and living in a glorified state before God. But the Lord assures us that "these words are trustworthy and true" (Revelation 22:6).

http://www.gotquestions.org/new-jerusalem-healing.html