I did not "explain away" Ecc 1:4 which states "Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.
Where do you get the idea that generations will come and go forever? That verse says nothing of the kind.
Huh? LOL! It certainly reads like that is what it is saying:
"One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever." (Eccl 1:4 KJV)
But, I was not relying only on that verse. For example, after the "new heaven and new earth" are "created," and New Jerusalem appears to John (who was on a great and high mountain when he saw the city) there is this:
"And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it." (Rev 21:24 KJV)
"In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." (Rev 22:2 KJV)
I read that to mean there are still nations, there are still kings. Where did they come from if this is a brand new earth, foundation, dirt, trees and all. And why would any of those "nations" require any healing whatsoever. Didn't God make "all things new?" He said he did:
"And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful." (Rev 21:5 KJV)
Nothing fits with your interpretation. Otherwise, I would believe it.
Philip