the same day when Jesus was resurrected.
cf. The Seven-Feasts of Israel
The new covenant for the things in the heavens
The new covenant is for the forgiveness of the sin of the world.Joh 6:48-51
48 "I am the bread of life. 49 YOUR forefathers ate the manna in the wilderness and yet died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that anyone may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread he will live forever; and, for a fact, the bread that I shall give is my flesh in behalf of the life of the world."
1Joh 2:2
2 And he is a propitiatory sacrifice for our sins, yet not for ours only but also for the whole world's.
The harvesting work for the firstfruits of mankind begun with the new covenant validated by Christ's sinless blood.
The firstfruits of mankind are to go to heaven to be the members of the kingdom of the heavens.
And they are going to take part in the work of restoration for Adam's family.
The institution for the restoration is called the kingdom of the heavens, and the term of it is thousand years.
Re 14:4
4 . . . These were bought from among mankind as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb,
Re 5:9-10
9 And they sing a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals, because you were slaughtered and with your blood you bought persons for God out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 and you made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they are to rule as kings over the earth."
Ac 3:21
21 whom heaven, indeed, must hold within itself until the times of restoration of all things of which God spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets of old time.
The work of the sons of the kingdom.
The authority to judge will be given to the firstfruits of mankind to restore justice among Adam's family, which is trampled down under Satan's rule.And other necessary power for the restoration work for human society will be given to them.
When Jesus on earth, he gave his disciples the power to cure all kinds of ailment, and to resurrect the dead.
It suggests that the sons of the kingdom will do the same works under the thousand years of Christ's rein.
The sons of the kingdom will do the work here on earth going back and forth from heaven to earth, like the angels descending from and ascending to the heaven.
Re 20:4
4 And I saw thrones, and there were those who sat down on them, and power of judging was given them. Yes, I saw the souls of those executed with the ax for the witness they bore to Jesus and for speaking about God, and those who had worshiped neither the wild beast nor its image and who had not received the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand. And they came to life and ruled as kings with the Christ for a thousand years.
Mt 10:5-8
5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, giving them these orders: "Do not go off into the road of the nations, and do not enter into a Sa·mar′i·tan city; 6 but, instead, go continually to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 As YOU go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.' Cure sick people, raise up dead persons, make lepers clean, expel demons. YOU received free, give free.
Joh 1:51
51 He further said to him: "Most truly I say to YOU men, YOU will see heaven opened up and the angels of God ascending and descending to the Son of man."
It became possible by means of the Christ's ransom to start the harvesting work of the firstfruits of mankind.
The base for the forgiveness of sin was presented by Jesus' sinless death.
The new covenant by Jesus' blood will function for the forgiveness of the sins of the world.
Those who receive the benefit of the new covenant first are called the firstfruits of mankind, and they will be the members of the kingdom of the heavens and will work for the benefit of "the things on the earth, the rest of mankind."
1,000 years are planned for the restoration of what was lost by the sin of Adam.
The plan of salvation of mankind by the kingdom of the heavens became possible to be carried out by means of Jesus' sinless sacrificial death.
If Jesus failed like Adam, the plan of salvation would have broken down.
However, the reality is that Jesus was successful as expected and the door to the eternal future for Adam's family was opened.
1Joh 3:8
8 . . . For this purpose the Son of God was made manifest, namely, to break up the works of the Devil.
Heb 2:14
14 Therefore, since the "young children" are sharers of blood and flesh, he also similarly partook of the same things, that through his death he might bring to nothing the one having the means to cause death, that is, the Devil;
Satan has already defeated.
The only way to defeat Satan, the insidious snaky liar is through a sinless death.Christ Jesus, the son of God accomplished the sinless death in the midst of Satan's hostility. Satan killed Jesus as fortold in Ge 3: 15 that you (Satan) will bruise him (Christ) in the heel, but he was unable to break Jesus's integrity.
At the moment of Jesus' sinless death on the cross, Satan's execution was finalized as shown in Ge 3:15 that He (Christ) will bruise you (Satan) in the head.
Joh 19:30
30 When, now, he had received the sour wine, Jesus said: “It has been accomplished!” and, bowing his head, he delivered up [his] spirit.
Joh 12:31
31 Now there is a judging of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.
Joh 14:30
30 I shall not speak much with YOU anymore, for the ruler of the world is coming. And he has no hold on me,
Re 5:5
Look! The Lion that is of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered so as to open the scroll and its seven seals."
As shown the above scripture, the asured hopeful future opened to mankind which is slave to sin and death and Satan's rule thnaks to Jesus' victory over Satan.
This is the will of God.
He wants to rescue us from the despair caused by Satan.
God has so wished and so accomplished.
What we are now, is due to the lovingkindness of God.
The firstfruits of mankind will be the heirs of the kingdom of the heavens receiving the benefit of the new covenant by virtue of Christ's sinless blood first.
The harvest work for the firstfruits of mankind begun when Jesus started the work of sowing the seed of the kingdom on earth, and will last until the time of Christ's return.
Then all the firstfruits from the first century to the Lord's Day will be taken into heaven by the leapers, the angels, when Christ's coming with heavenly armies to execute judgment against Satan's world.
Therefore, any baptized Christian who enters into the new covenant can receive forgiveness of sin and can have the hope to be taken into heaven as the firstfruits of mankind when Christ comes back.
Now is the time of harvesting for the sons of the kingdom which is the firstfruits of mankind, not for "the things on the earth."
The blessings through the firstfruits of mankind
During the 1,000 years of Christ's rein, "the things on the earth" will restore human perfection and eternal life on earth, which Adam lost by his sin.In this heavenly kingdom, the firstfruits of mankind will take part in the restoration work of the rest of mankind.
In this manner, the 1,000 years of Christ's kingdom will be the time when the nations will bless themselves by means of the true seed of Abraham.
Ehp 1:10
10 for an administration at the full limit of the appointed times, namely, to gather all things together again in the Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth. [Yes,] in him,
Col 1:20
20 and through him to reconcile again to himself all [other] things by making peace through the blood [he shed] on the torture stake, no matter whether they are the things upon the earth or the things in the heavens.
Gen 22:18
1 And by means of your seed all nations of the earth will certainly bless themselves due to the fact that you have listened to my voice.'"
Who would be chosen as the firstfruits of mankind?
Well, what kind of person are those firstfruits of mankind?Are they noble people with talents and smart brain, or well shaped in appearance?
No, they are not for the most part.
God chose the ones who are poor respecting the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom. (Jas 2:5)
Why?
It is for the sake of shutting out boasting from us.
No flesh has reason for boasting in the sight of God.
1Co 1:26-29
26 For YOU behold his calling of YOU, brothers, that not many wise in a fleshly way were called, not many powerful, not many of noble birth; 27 but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put the wise men to shame; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put the strong things to shame; 2 and God chose the ignoble things of the world and the things looked down upon, the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are, 29 in order that no flesh might boast in the sight of God.
To free from sin and its adverse effects and the restoration of human perfection are achieved not by our own merit. It is God's undeserved kindness, free gift, and grace.
Therefore, no one can take the salvation by the works of one's devotion, and boasting as if it is so is shut out.
Consider the advantage of God's choosing.
Those who are oppressed, handicapped, and turned around from their former bad way of life should know all the more the pain of oppression and ailment and weaknesses and the like.
God uses such people for the restoration of mankind who are all victimized by the sin inherited from Adam.
God provides the rulers for the restoration work who can treat fellow being with understanding and compassion because they themselves experienced the same weaknesses and bitter effects of inherited sin. This is a reflection of God's wisdom and mercy.
1Co 6:9-11
9 What! Do YOU not know that unrighteous persons will not inherit God's kingdom? Do not be misled. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men kept for unnatural purposes, nor men who lie with men, 10 nor thieves, nor greedy persons, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit God's kingdom. 11 And yet that is what some of YOU were. But YOU have been washed clean, but YOU have been sanctified, but YOU have been declared righteous in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the spirit of our God.
Mt 9:12-13
12 Hearing [them], he said: "Persons in health do not need a physician, but the ailing do. 13 Go, then, and learn what this means, 'I want mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came to call, not righteous people, but sinners."
Mt 21:28-32
2 "What do YOU think? A man had two children. Going up to the first, he said, 'Child, go work today in the vineyard.' 29 In answer this one said, 'I will, sir,' but did not go out. 30 Approaching the second, he said the same. In reply this one said, 'I will not.' Afterwards he felt regret and went out. 31 Which of the two did the will of [his] father?" They said: "The latter." Jesus said to them: "Truly I say to YOU that the tax collectors and the harlots are going ahead of YOU into the kingdom of God. 32 For John came to YOU in a way of righteousness, but YOU did not believe him. However, the tax collectors and the harlots believed him, and YOU, although YOU saw [this], did not feel regret afterwards so as to believe him.
The firstfruits of mankind are taken from every kind of repentant sinners.
Because, they are able to treat others who need help with understanding and mercy.
For they themselves were helped by God's mercy, in turn, they are expected to have mercy on others.
Mt 18:33
33 Ought you not, in turn, to have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I also had mercy on you?'
Those who can see the value of the kingdom of the heavens will become the one discovering a treasure hidden in the field, or a pearl of high value.
Those who are entangled with the idea of earthly paradise which the WTS is stressing turn their mind to the things on the earth, so that they fail to see the value of the kingdom to restore what Adam lost, and the excellent hope of being the sons of the kingdom as the firstfruits of mankind.
Mt 13:44-45
44 "The kingdom of the heavens is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid; and for the joy he has he goes and sells what things he has and buys that field. 45 "Again the kingdom of the heavens is like a traveling merchant seeking fine pearls. 46 Upon finding one pearl of high value, away he went and promptly sold all the things he had and bought it.
Christ like love is required for the work of restoration of what was lost.
Therefore the firstfruits of mankind will be helped by God's spirit to become perfect in love.
Satan's world which is producing sheer rotten fruits will end, being judged by the returned Christ.(Re 11:18) Those who are merciful will be shown mercy and survive into the thousand years restoration of all things. (Mt 5:7, 25:34-40, Jas 2:13)
The dead will be given the second chance for the life by earthly resurrection. (Joh 5:28-29, Ac 24:15)
The hidden things of the mankind will be disclosed and be judged with justice. (Ro 2:16)
All the traces of sin will be vanished, then people will restore human perfection and God's favor. (Re 21:3-4)
The firstfruits of mankind will take part in this restoration works with Christ.
Col 3:1-2
1 If, however, YOU were raised up with the Christ, go on seeking the things above, where the Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Keep YOUR minds fixed on the things above, not on the things upon the earth.
Let him that has ears listen.
see ya
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