You Can Live Forever in
Paradise on Earth-But How?
Watchtower, Feb. 15, 1983,
page 12-13
"You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth-But How?"
"Many have found the second requirement
more difficult. It is to obey God's laws, yes, to conform one's life to
the moral requirements set out in the Bible. This includes refraining
from a debauched, immoral way of life.-1 Corinthians 6:9, 10; 1 Peter
4:3, 4."
Comment: Notice the requirement for getting to Paradise
earth includes obeying God's laws. This is works
righteousness.
_________________________________ You
Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth-But How?
'LIVING forever on earth is just an
impossible dream. There is no way anybody can do it.'
You may have heard people say that. Yet
you may know that in the beginning it was God's purpose for obedient
humans to live forever in an earthly Paradise. And God never fails to
accomplish what he purposes! (Genesis 1:28; Isaiah 55:11) His Word
plainly promises: "The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and
they will reside forever upon it."-Psalm 37:29.
That is the thrilling message that
Jehovah's Witnesses bring to people when they call at their homes. The
Kingdom, with Jesus Christ as Ruler, will see to it that God's original
purpose is accomplished. Under the Kingdom's righteous administration
this earth will be cultivated to become a beautiful Paradise. However,
not everyone will be permitted to live in the Paradise earth.
Requirements must be met. That is reasonable.-Matthew 6:10.
Consider: If you were the owner of a
beautiful home surrounded by well-kept gardens, would you allow just
anyone to live there? No, he would have to meet with your approval,
meeting your requirements. What does God require of those who will
reside forever upon his Paradise earth? Let us examine four basic
requirements.
Four Requirements
Jesus Christ identified a
first
requirement when he said in prayer to his Father: "This means
everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God,
and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ." (John 17:3) Knowledge
of God and of Jesus Christ includes knowledge of God's purposes
regarding the earth and of Christ's role as earth's new King. Will you
take in such knowledge by studying the Bible?
Many have found the second requirement
more difficult. It is to obey God's laws, yes, to conform one's life to
the moral requirements set out in the Bible. This includes refraining
from a debauched, immoral way of life.-1 Corinthians 6:9, 10; 1 Peter
4:3, 4.
A third requirement is that we be
associated with God's channel, his organization. God has always used an
organization. For example, only those in the ark in Noah's day survived
the Flood, and only those associated with the Christian congregation in
the first century had God's favor. (Acts 4:12) Similarly, Jehovah is
using only one organization today to accomplish his will. To receive
everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that
organization and serve God as part of it.
The fourth requirement is connected
with loyalty. God requires that prospective subjects of his Kingdom
support his
Page 13
government by loyally advocating his
Kingdom rule to others. Jesus Christ explained: "This good news of the
kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth." (Matthew 24:14)
Will you meet this requirement by telling others about God's Kingdom?
Perhaps you are well acquainted with
these requirements. Yet many persons are ignorant of God's purposes and
of what he requires. Now we have a marvelous instrument to help such
ones. It is the book You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth. Have you
used it to help others learn what God requires of them?
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