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The rebellion of the devil and his angels caused the destruction of the original earth. As a result, it became chaotic; characterized by waste, ruin, and emptiness. Concordant with the judgment of God, the original earth was also subjected to darkness. (Genesis 1:2)
According to eternal plan, God renovated the chaotic, original earth in spatiotemporal form. (Genesis 1:3-31) It was accomplished in seven days: |
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Renovated by the eternal God, the spatiotemporal earth was holy. Therefore, it was suitable to exist within the kingdom of God.
God populated the renovated earth with a new type of creature; humanity. The human race was equipped with a spatiotemporal body suited for existence on the newly renovated, spatiotemporal earth. |
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Edenic Age
Immediately following His renovation of the earth, God placed mankind in the paradisiacal Garden of Eden. Thus, the time is often referred to as the “Edenic Age.” It was initiated at the creation of mankind and endured until the fall of mankind. The Garden of Eden on the renovated earth presented an environment in which God could manifest the attributes of His nature for the benefit of the citizens of His kingdom. The Garden provided an environment in which both the angelic and human citizens of the kingdom were utterly privileged to gain a greater understanding of the divine nature. The renovated Garden of Eden was designed to facilitate intimate fellowship between God and humanity. Within the safety of its boundaries, the first humans enjoyed intimate fellowship with God and consequently experienced progressive growth in their appreciation of His incredible nature. The first man, Adam, was appointed by God as the high priest of the renovated earth. His priestly function was expressed in the renovated Garden of Eden through his enjoyment of God and faithful representation of His authority on earth. The angelic host was not ignorant of the events that occurred in the renovated Garden of Eden. While the holy angels rejoiced, the fallen were aware that God had replaced them with humanity. They were saddened and angered that He had awarded lesser spatiotemporal beings with the heavenly blessing and privilege that had once belonged to them. It was difficult for Satan, the first high priest of the earth, to endure the public humiliation of his replacement. Therefore, he concocted a scheme to deceive Adam, the newly appointed high priest of the earth and the representative head of the human race. Influenced by Satan, Adam rebelled against the authority of God. As a result, divine judgment ensued. Marking the end of the Edenic Age, the human citizens of the renovated earth experienced separation from God. Rendered unholy by the rebellion, their spatiotemporal habitat was also subjected to separation from King and kingdom (realm of divine authority). Summary The “kingdom of God” is “the sovereign authority of God manifested within the realm of both eternity and space-time for benefit of His creation.” The primary purpose of the kingdom of God manifested on the renovated earth was to reveal the authority of God and vindicate His nature from angelic accusation. According to plan, the renovated earth existed in the kingdom of God (realm of divine authority) as a suitable habitat for human beings. They were intended to dwell with God in the renovated Garden of Eden. It provided an environment in which human beings, much like the angels on the eternal earth, were privileged to submit to the authority of God, enjoy intimate fellowship with Him, and witness the glorious revelation of His nature. As such, they were legally representative and organically representational of God on the renovated earth. It allowed for the authoritative presence of God to once again be established on earth. The renovated earth manifested within the kingdom of God benefited His creation by allowing a glorious presentation of His kingdom authority on earth. It lasted from the creation of mankind to the fall of mankind. The original human beings on the renovated earth were of course Adam and Eve. They were created suitable for citizenship in the kingdom of God. Therefore, Adam and Eve were glorious, holy, eternal and shared life with God. Concordant with the life of God indwelling them, Adam and Eve were theocratically governed in the Garden according to the intimate rule of divine life. In cooperation, they were graciously granted the privilege to mediate the authority of God on the renovated earth. Nevertheless, Adam and Eve failed to cooperate with God. By their rebellion, the kingdom of God (realm of divine authority) on the renovated earth and the nature of God were again challenged. Divine judgment ensued. As a result, the renovated earth and its human inhabitants, Adam and Eve, were removed from the presence of God and therefore, His kingdom (realm of authority). Outside of the kingdom, they were reduced to a state of degeneration and darkness. The kingdom of God manifested on the renovated earth was an important part of the eternal plan of God. Nevertheless, it fell short of adequately vindicating His nature from angelic accusation or repopulating His kingdom. |
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© 2023 James Hiatt |
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