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Oh, yes, of course, that's why the world he loved so much is suffering so much..

It's not "about" this heaven and earth. It's "about" the next heaven and earth, wherein God has gathered His adopted children to live with Him forevermore. (Revelation 21, Colossians 1:15, John 1, etc.) From Genesis to Revelation, it culminates to that "final cause."

Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence. For it pleased [the Father] that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven.– Colossians 1:15-20

To the naturalist, the world is like the opened back of a wristwatch. Every thing happening in the physical realm seems to run in opposition. It makes no "sense" to him.

But to the Christian, the present heaven and earth is like the front of the wristwatch. It is keeping perfect time.

For instance, war does not cause death. It merely hastens the inevitable. Likewise, medical marvels do not save lives. They merely delay the inevitable.

Certainly, God could have made everything perfect from the beginning. But if He did, we would not be able to make mistakes. And children cannot be raised in a bubble.

As the Scriptures say, God created it "good." (Genesis 1) He did not create it "perfect."

God didn't need this heaven and earth. We did.

He doesn't change. We do.

When those whose altars rest beneath the horizon despair, those whose lives are hid with Christ in God have peace.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. – Matthew 24:35

But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep [you] from evil. – 2 Th 3:3

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. – I John 4:18

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. – John 5:24

Love God. Believe Him. Trust Him.

Hello AG, and thank you for your post.

It's not "about" this heaven and earth. It's "about" the next heaven and earth, wherein God has gathered His adopted children to live with Him forevermore

I can see why that would make this heaven and earth easier to bear for some. Neverhtless, there is no evidence that the next one exists any more than pink unicorns on Jupiter.

To the naturalist, the world is like the opened back of a wristwatch. Every thing happening in the physical realm seems to run in opposition. It makes no "sense" to him.

I don't think that. I just accept that this is how the world is (some of it is out own making), but what am I going to accomplish trying to find "meaning" to natural disasters or supernovae? If the climate sucks I can move. But can't stop the rain or the earthquakes.

But you are right, the world makes no sense because we would never make it that way, and I am sure if your dog could be asked he would probably try to make it more a doggy dog world than like this, i.e. one that has fresh bones strewn all over the place, or something.

But to the Christian, the present heaven and earth is like the front of the wristwatch. It is keeping perfect time.

Well, of course. If you are good and love your God then you get a reward. It makes perfect sense.

For instance, war does not cause death. It merely hastens the inevitable. Likewise, medical marvels do not save lives. They merely delay the inevitable.

Maybe you should start a new Jim Jones movement. This is like closet Gnosticism where this world is a horrible prison for the souls and death is liberation...so why not fight as many wars and kill each other off as fats as possible?

Certainly, God could have made everything perfect from the beginning. But if He did, we would not be able to make mistakes. And children cannot be raised in a bubble

Well, I am sure God could raise children in a bubble...don;t you think? So he had to make an imeprfectworld, you say? Oh, geez, and the perfect world would be "imperfect," and found "lacking" because it had no mistakes? LOL! So what will you do in heaven for all eternity when you don't make any mistakes...So, now mistakes are what makes our lives "rich?" I know, Adam was so miserable before the fall...like a teen growing up on a farm; nothing ever happens there...

As the Scriptures say, God created it "good." (Genesis 1) He did not create it "perfect."

Okay, pleasant, agreeable. So, the he had to make sure it gets unpleasant and disagreeable...just to make sure we don't get too happy?

We didn't need anything. The Bible is clear he didn't ask us what we need. He just made us, right? It's like you didn't ask to be born. Someone else made that decision, now you have to live with it (no pun intended).

But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep [you] from evil. – 2 Th 3:

Then why do Christians pray "do not lead us into temptation...?"

I think I will just stay with: what will be will be. That seems to work for me.