I didn't say we are "past filled".

God doesn't "past filled" anything or anyone.

The earth is far from being over-populated for its size. Right now, according to PHYS.ORG, "water makes up about 71% of the Earth's surface, while the other 29% consists of continents and islands." Besides, of that 29 percent, a sizable portion is uninhabited desserts and forests. We have a very, very long way to go yet to fill a planet without seas to capacity: 10 billion is a mere fraction. Rev. 21:1

With regards to food distribution, if everyone were content and grew their own, not sought to make hefty profits and shared of their blessings, this would be paradise right now. But men are greedy! "Woe to those who join house to house. They add field to field till there is no place where they may dwell alone in the midst of the land!" Is. 5:8

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If one assumes that those who are saved are less than the population at any time, in fact, only a small fragment,

And, if one assumes that the percentage who are saved are less than the population growth rate,

Then, if "the New Earth will already be populated with an adequate number of redeemed human beings",

Then, it would follow that we are currently, in fact, at any past time, past filled with those who are not saved.


The only way for the redeemed to meet the adequate number for the earth would be if the percentage of redeemed should exceed the population growth rate. And even then, it would take a certain amount of time for that accumulating number to exceed the total present population.

Wikipedia claims the 2017 population growth rate to be around 83 million annually, or 1.1% per year. I suppose it is possible that 83 million each year are among those to be redeemed.

What do you think?

Are you forgetting that the redeemed will consist of the living saints and the resurrected saints from Adam to the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ.

That will add up to a multitude that no man can number, that only God can number.

SDA have been going around saying that the second Advent is just around the corner. Perhaps what you have it hit upon is an argument that counters their midnight cries. Peter says, "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." 1 Pet. 3:9. It is obvious that God is waiting over many generations (a thousand years?) which means that it is a number He is aiming for, just like parents express a desire for a certain number of children. But what is the constraining factor, you ask? The size of the earth? I think not.

Jesus said, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. [Up above and beyond, are many planets. I'm going to prepare one for you. And I will come again and take you there.]" John 14:1-3. I paraphrase. Let not your heart be troubled, indeed.

But concerning multiplying in heaven. When God created Adam, he said that it is not good that he should be alone on this massive earth! But how should he multiply? So God created marriage for that purpose. Marriage enables multiplication. Without it, that which is, remains as is. And there'll be no marriage in heaven, so ....

NO MULTIPLICATION (addition, division or subtraction). The New Jerusalem is a perfect cube and no side is slanted for want an edge.

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He is waiting for a number, but not to fill the earth?

Why multiply before but not now?

People are still multiplying now. You yourself quoted the population growth rate as 83M every year.

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This is a subject we can only really speculate on --

But I have an opinion -- and I've heard others express it as well (not here)

God created this earth for a special purpose.
I think we all agree that God knows everything? Which means He KNEW sin would reign on this earth. He KNEW sin brings death. He KNEW Christ would go through the "birth" process to become a human.

We are told -- there is no marriage or giving in marriage in heaven, we will be like the angels (that implies angels do not marry nor are they given in marriage)

That further gives rise to the thought that this whole marriage idea, and even the whole reproduction system in the plant and animal kingdom, that is so "normal" on this earth was not known prior to earth's creation.
The angels weren't "alone" they had many companions, but it was friendship, not marriage. They were created, not born.

God introduces the reproductive system in His creation of this world because:
1. Once sin enters things and people would die and needed constant replenishment.
2. But more important -- it was the means by which Christ would enter a human womb and be born a human being.
3. It was to be used as an illustration of Christ's love for His church

Speculative discussions have at times been held as to --
If nothing dies, what happens to the flowers we pick, and will everything become totally overgrown as things keep growing but not dying etc etc etc.
Well, if there is no reproduction, and there is no death -- (sounds rather boringly static) but it's very probable that God has systems of life that we have no clue about, right?

However, it seems the whole reproductive system as we know it, is something unique to this world.



Why no marriage?

Yes, when I was young it seemed like a serious drawback to think of no marriage in heaven.

But think of the reality of marriage in this world -- happy marriages are not really the norm., they do exist, (I know from experience) but the reality is that there has been a huge amount of misery and heart ache connected with marriage and man-kinds means of reproduction on this planet over the last 6000 years. The harems, the multiple partners, the abused, the divorced, the incompatible ones, the child marriages, the forced marriages, the abducted brides, the rapes and the whole transgender mess If you think through the different cultures and practices and realities you will find more problems to add to the list. It is a "mess".


It makes me think that in heaven the whole reproductive/marriage system will be no more, and everyone will be an individual in their own right, friends with everyone, Christ being the love of their lives.
Sorting out all the marriage problems from this earth would be a night mare.

Just like the question asked of Jesus -- "Whose wife will she be, for seven brothers married her in succession"?
Indeed how would that be resolved?
Interesting that they didn't ask "Who will be Solomon's wife -- for he had a 1000?

Waiting for a number?

I've heard it suggested the "number" is to replace the angels that "kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, and are now kept in chains reserved in darkness for the judgment".

I think you mean, "not then"?

Anyway, have you ever wondered why God created us to be human beings and not angels? Where weren't we angels in the first place? The Psalmist said we're a little lower than the angels, and Jesus said that after the resurrection, we would be like them. So what is the point of all this earth and things of the earth? Was God trying to lift up a substitute for what had been cast down?

For eternal life, we know, is a gift only for those who ask in sincere repentance: not of works, lest any man should boast.

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