After this earth has been cleansed by fire at the end of the millennium, the promise given to our spiritual forefathers with reference to the new earth will be fulfilled. Genesis 12:7; 17:7, 8; Exodus 6:5-8; Acts 7:2, 5; Romans 4:13; Hebrews 11:9, 10, 13-16, 39; 13:14. This earth will be redeemed and restored to its original, Edenic condition. All things will be made new. Isaiah 11:1-11; 32:16-18; 35:4-8; 65:17-25; Psalm 37:11, 29; Micah 4:8; Matthew 5:5; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 22:1-5; Daniel 2:35, 44; 7:27 (cf Revelation 11:15).

The millennium begins at the second coming of Jesus, when the righteous dead will be resurrected. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-16. The living wicked will then be destroyed. 2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8; Isaiah 11:4; Jeremiah 25:31-33. The righteous will be taken to heaven. John 14:1-3. And Satan will be bound.

God made man as a living soul, a free moral agent, formed in the image of God, created for His glory. Genesis 1:26-28; 2:7; Psalm 8:4-6; Isaiah 43:7. He was not endowed with natural and unconditional immortality. Only by obeying God and by eating of the tree of life could he perpetuate his existence. Genesis 2:9, 16, 17. Due to his disobedience, he forfeited his access to the tree of life, came short of the glory of his Maker, and was separated from the source of life. Sin brought death to Adam and all his descendants. Genesis 3:19, 22-24; Ecclesiastes 12:7; Isaiah 59:2; Romans 5:12, 17; Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 6:23.

The keynote of the Holy Scripture is the doctrine of Christ’s second coming to complete the work of redemption and set up the reign of righteousness. This prophesied event—which has been the great hope of God’s servants in all ages—is repeated many times both in the Old and New Testaments. Job 19:25-27; Psalm 50:3; 97:3-5; Isaiah 66:15 (cf 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10); Acts 1:11; Hebrews 9:28; 10:37; Jude 14; Revelation 22:20.

According to Psalm 24:1, everything belongs to the Lord. 1 Chronicles 29:11, 12. However large or small our possessions, they are ours only in trust. For our life, strength, skill, time, talents, opportunities, and means, we must render an account to God. 1 Corinthians 4:1, 2; Matthew 25:14-30.