Quote:
Originally Posted by Timotheist
Random thought, but on topic:
An assumption among many commenting on this thread so far is that salvation (eternal life) and entrance into the kingdom of God are synonymous terms.
I propose that the saved are a larger group, of which a percentage participate in the kingdom. So that would mean the terms are NOT synonyms.
Now I believe that most of the judgement parables are referring to entrance into the 1000 year kingdom of the Son, and there will be many that are saved but will miss out. I realize that some of you disagree with this point.
But even in the New Creation, there will be those living outside the New Jerusalem, receiving life-sustaining "leaves" from the tree of life, but will not have the privilege of eating the "fruit".
What do you think distinguishes "leaves" from "fruit"?
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These terms don't seem synonymous to me either. Because of Revelation 22:1-4 or so.
Rev. 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2 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.
The leaves seem to have a function of healing the nations whereas the fruit, logically, is for feeding. The fruit and leaves are apparently on the same tree/s.
We would need to know who are the "nations"? The leaves of the tree were for their healing. There are 19 references to the "nations" in the Revelation which mostly include other groups with the nations "... t
he people and
kindreds and
tongues." Apparently at some point the nations have suffered to the point of a serious need of healing.
I have been cured (healed?) of my belief, which I was taught from childhood, in the blanket pre-tribulation rapture of all believers. Hence, I don't assume that all believers have been raptured at this point Maybe the nations are, in part, some of those believers who are not yet raptured.
Bottom line, I don't know what I think. I need to ask the Lord to tell me what I think.
Nell