Flat Earth because of the dimensions of New Jerusalem

[danheg]

A little while back, someone posted a video where it was posited that the dimensions of New Jerusalem mentioned in Revelation 21 was proof that the world was flat. Well, I would contend that, biblically, those dimensions are not proof for either position. Here are the relevant scriptures for my position:

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (2 Pe 3:10–13). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Re 21:1–2). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

My question will be where does it state the dimensions and shape of the new earth? Does the new earth have to be round, flat, cylinder, pyramid, or any other shape? If so, where does it specify that shape in the Bible?

[CrEaTiVe ✞ Jesus Saves ✞]

They like to post flat earth videos in here often, i've left it up in the past because of the discussions, but I usually delete their videos in this group now because that is all they push.

https://answersingenesis.org/astronomy/earth/is-the-earth-flat/
https://answersingenesis.org/astronomy/earth/reflections-flat-earth-movement/
https://answersingenesis.org/astronomy/earth/testing-flat-earth-prediction-moonlight-cooling/
https://answersingenesis.org/astronomy/earth/falling-flat-earth/
https://answersingenesis.org/astronomy/earth/book-enoch-and-flat-earth/
https://answersingenesis.org/astronomy/earth/does-bible-teach-earth-flat/
https://answersingenesis.org/astronomy/earth/flat-earth-proof-just-a-mirage/
https://answersingenesis.org/astronomy/earth/flat-earth-prediction-falls-flat/
https://answersingenesis.org/astronomy/earth/is-the-earth-flat/
https://answersingenesis.org/astronomy/earth/contradictions-hanging-on-pillars-of-nothing/

Here are some resources if anyone's interested.

[Mr_C_]

Originally posted by danheg:

My question will be where does it state the dimensions and shape of the new earth? Does the new earth have to be round, flat, cylinder, pyramid, or any other shape? If so, where does it specify that shape in the Bible?

My thoughts are that the new earth will be a sphere, simply because patterns.

Everything in the Bible is a pattern, and the old earth is a sphere - therefore, the new earth would be a sphere as well because of the previously established pattern. The new temple is similar in that there is a pattern for it: the old temple, based on the pattern of the wilderness tabernacle.

This is strictly conjecture, though, and not based on any specific Scripture.

[Shadow_Lord]

Does it really matter what shape it is? All I care about is that we're going to be with Christ, worshiping and learning from him, forever.

[danheg]

Originally posted by Shadow_Lord:

Does it really matter what shape it is? All I care about is that we're going to be with Christ, worshiping and learning from him, forever.

This is about debunking Flat Earth doctrine which causes problems when witnessing to non believers.

[Mr_C_]

Originally posted by chyatt6385:

Originally posted by danheg:

My question will be where does it state the dimensions and shape of the new earth? Does the new earth have to be round, flat, cylinder, pyramid, or any other shape? If so, where does it specify that shape in the Bible?

My thoughts are that the new earth will be a sphere, simply because patterns.

Everything in the Bible is a pattern, and the old earth is a sphere - therefore, the new earth would be a sphere as well because of the previously established pattern. The new temple is similar in that there is a pattern for it: the old temple, based on the pattern of the wilderness tabernacle.

This is strictly conjecture, though, and not based on any specific Scripture.

I should note that there is deviation between the old temple pattern and the next-to-come temple, but this deviation is specified in Scripture - Rev. 11:1-2.

[danheg]

Originally posted by chyatt6385:

Originally posted by chyatt6385:

My thoughts are that the new earth will be a sphere, simply because patterns.

Everything in the Bible is a pattern, and the old earth is a sphere - therefore, the new earth would be a sphere as well because of the previously established pattern. The new temple is similar in that there is a pattern for it: the old temple, based on the pattern of the wilderness tabernacle.

This is strictly conjecture, though, and not based on any specific Scripture.

I should note that there is deviation between the old temple pattern and the next-to-come temple, but this deviation is specified in Scripture - Rev. 11:1-2.

I am not sure that old pattern would fit with Ezekiel 40-48.

[Mr_C_]

Originally posted by danheg:

Originally posted by chyatt6385:

I should note that there is deviation between the old temple pattern and the next-to-come temple, but this deviation is specified in Scripture - Rev. 11:1-2.

I am not sure that old pattern would fit with Ezekiel 40-48.

Yeah, in my own studies I noticed something of a "discrepancy" in all that, but chose not to pursue it, thinking it would all be made clear when it comes to pass. After all, it's adiaphora anyway.

Maybe I should take another look after all.

[Sendo]

Weirdly enough, the CJB actually mentions "dome" in Genesis 1, which means the Bible does, in fact, teach a flat earth. "Firmament" is another word that's used, but the idea is the same regardless of which version one reads (I like the KJV 1611, KJV 1769 and 1599 Geneva, personally).

[󠀡󠀡]

Originally posted by Sendo:

Weirdly enough, the CJB actually mentions "dome" in Genesis 1, which means the Bible does, in fact, teach a flat earth. "Firmament" is another word that's used, but the idea is the same regardless of which version one reads (I like the KJV 1611, KJV 1769 and 1599 Geneva, personally).

The word rā·qî·a‘ (רָקִ֖יעַ) can also be translated as expanse and it has it's origin in the word (רָקַע) (raqa), meaning "to spread out" or "to stretch." Besides, the bible calls the firmament sky in Genesis 1:8. There is nothing in the bible suggesting that the sky is a dome. So no the bible does not teach that the earth is flat. Besides we have physically evidence proving that earth isn't flat. Go to the nearest coast with Offshore wind turbines. You will notice how the wind turbines sink into the oceans, which means earth can't be flat.

https://answersingenesis.org/astronomy/earth/does-bible-teach-earth-flat/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKQI18jr8Oc

[Gray Matter Guerrilla]

Originally posted by 󠀡󠀡:

So no the bible does not teach that the earth is flat. Besides we have physically evidence proving that earth isn't flat. Go to the nearest coast with Offshore wind turbines. You will notice how the wind turbines sink into the oceans, which means earth can't be flat.

I like that 'horizon' method (for lack of better term) the best.

Another observation is simply considering the other planets and stars. They all appear as a circle, which means, if they were flat like the earth, then they all have to be angled perfectly to achieve that circle appearance for the observer; otherwise, some would look like a slit and others in various ovals if they were flat.

Can take a quarter/dime/etc. (to represent a flat planet) and hold it out in front of you, then rotate it so the edge is angled outwards; it's no longer circular in appearance. A sphere, on the other hand, will look circular no matter how it's oriented/tilted. ;)

[󠀡󠀡]

Originally posted by Gray Matter Guerrilla:

Originally posted by 󠀡󠀡:

So no the bible does not teach that the earth is flat. Besides we have physically evidence proving that earth isn't flat. Go to the nearest coast with Offshore wind turbines. You will notice how the wind turbines sink into the oceans, which means earth can't be flat.

I like that 'horizon' method (for lack of better term) the best.

Another observation is simply considering the other planets and stars. They all appear as a circle, which means, if they were flat like the earth, then they all have to be angled perfectly to achieve that circle appearance for the observer; otherwise, some would look like a slit and others in various ovals if they were flat.

Can take a quarter/dime/etc. (to represent a flat planet) and hold it out in front of you, then rotate it so the edge is angled outwards; it's no longer circular in appearance. A sphere, on the other hand, will look circular no matter how it's oriented/tilted. ;)

Excellent comment, another observation one could make is by traveling to different places on earth. Like in Scandinavia the duration of day and night differs greatly compared to for instance central Europe. Furthermore, the moon looks like it was turned upside down in the southern hemisphere compared to the northern hemisphere. These things are not possibly on a flat earth model.

https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/does-the-moon-look-upside-down-in-the-southern-hemisphere

There is no reason to believe that Earth is flat from either a biblical or scientific perspective.