My question to all Christians is this -
Exactly who will reside on the NEW earth?
Where did the notion originate from that all faithful Christians will go to heaven?
Isaiah 11:6 says this -
International Standard Version
“The wolf will live with the lamb; the leopard will lie down with the young goat. The calf and the lion will graze together, and a little child will lead them.
I don’t believe there has been a period in the history of the world where this has occurred, so it must fortell the future.
Now, check out Isaiah 65:20 - 21
…20”No longer will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, Or an old man who does not live out his days; For the youth will die at the age of one hundred And the one who does not reach the age of one hundred Will be thought accursed. 21”They will build houses and inhabit them; They will also plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22”They will not build and another inhabit, They will not plant and another eat; For as the lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of My people, And My chosen ones will wear out the work of their hands.…
The preceding verses come after Isaiah 65:17, which references creation of a new heavens and a new earth.
Isaiah 65:22 must also fortell the future since it is not referring to homebuilders, but those who have been judged as righteous.
Not sure how anyone could think animals could go to heaven after reading Isaiah 11:6
Isaiah 11:6 speaks of the millennial reign.
That is on Earth, not the “new Earth.”
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“Not sure how anyone could think animals could NOT go to heaven after reading Isaiah 11:6”
I’m guessing you meant NOT. God meant the Garden of Eden to be “heaven” - for Him to live with us (He walked among them). And before the fall - all of the animals and humans were vegetarian - the Lion DID lay down with the lamb.
After the fall, the first thing God did was kill an animal (a sacrifice as it were) to provide clothing for Adam and Eve (an act of compassion by Him). He also gave them permission to use and eat the animals.
I think the new heaven and the new earth will be very similar to what we have now - only perfect.
St. John speaks of the New Heaven and the New Earth in the Book of Revelation, as well. It is a joyous place, made for God once again to live among His people- meaning all who love Him. And there shall be no more death... and God Will wipe away all tears from our eyes!