[kosta50]

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.

[Quix]

The goal is to raise those to rule and reign with Christ . . . evidently over countless worlds and countless ages.

Seems to be working pretty well, to me.

BTW, it often appears that you have

lost to death

—a cherished sibling or close friend or
—a cherished parent or
—a child

or more than one of the above.

[Quix]

I don’t think it works for you at all.

I think that’s bluster and pretense that it works for you.

I think the bitterness and resentments are eating a hole in your heart, in your soul, in your spirit . . .

[boatbums]

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

For now...

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you for your reply, dear kosta50!

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.

When you say "there is no evidence" you should finish the statement with "acceptable to me".

If I were to testify to you that I have a 40 year old daughter, I suspect you would not say "prove it."

And yet you demand "proof" when I testify that God is not a hypothesis. He lives. His Name is I AM. I've known Him for a half century and counting.

God's words are spirit and life. The words of men are neither spirit nor life. He brings His own words alive within me and I therefore believe Him and trust Him above all else.

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life. - John 6:63

And God's words include the promise of the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21). He keeps all of His promises.

I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, [and] the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and [from] the things which are written in this book.

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you all. Amen. - Revelation 22:16-21

I testify that the new heaven and new earth is a "done deal." It is truth because He said it.

Now, if I were to testify to you that my husband keeps all his promises, I suspect you would not say "prove it." Yet I fully expect you to demand "proof" that God will keep this promise.

And I of course will not "prove" any of this to you.

To God be the glory, not man, never man.