The Two Modes Of Humanity Part 1: The View Delineated And Supported -- By: Philippe R. Sterling

Journal: Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society
Volume: JOTGES 26:50 (Spring 2013)
Article: The Two Modes Of Humanity Part 1: The View Delineated And Supported
Author: Philippe R. Sterling


The Two Modes Of Humanity Part 1:
The View Delineated And Supported

Philippe R. Sterling

Pastor
Vista Ridge Bible Fellowship
Lewisville, Texas

I. Introduction

Throughout the ages, mankind has longed for immortality and speculated about how to achieve it. This deeply rooted desire may be explained by an insight inferred from Genesis 1 and 2, namely, that God intended mankind to live forever in a natural and innocent state (i.e., in non-glorified bodies, able to reproduce and also to suffer injuries, yet sealed in a state of innocence such that they never would sin). Could God’s original plan for natural humanity ever be restored?

Some dispensational premillennialists, from the 19th century to the present, have taught that it will be. They believe there will be two modes of humanity in the eternal state. The first mode will be that of a sanctified but natural humanity, who will marry and have children, and will continue to populate the new earth. The second mode will be that of a sanctified and glorified humanity, who no longer marry or reproduce, among whom will be “overcomers” who will rule with Christ over the new heaven and new earth and the capital city, New Jerusalem.

Some interpreters have strongly objected to these conclusions. Many find such ideas to be shocking, and not a little controversial. It certainly does not comport with the mainstream of Christian tradition (i.e., among non-Dispensationalists). Nevertheless, it bears further examination. Hence, this paper

will explore the Biblical and theological support for the view of two modes of humanity in the eternal state.1

II. Summary Of The Two Modes View

Despite slight variations among its proponents, a survey of the supportive literature yields several main areas of agreement concerning the idea of two modes of humanity in the eternal state.

All agree that the Millennial Kingdom will have believers from previous dispensations in resurrected/glorified bodies who no longer sin. These people will not marry and will not have children.

There is also agreement that the Millennium will also include people who survived the Tribulation and so entered into the Millennium in their natural bodies. Consequently, Dispensationalists have long taught and believed that during the Millennium people will marry and have children. As F. S. Elmore explained “… two peoples of God as to mode of existence will continue through the millennium. This is a necessity of pr...

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