God is making all things new. Isn't this wonderful? How terrible it would be if God was making all new things!

We may or may not realize it but we like things the way they are. We like nature. We like people. We like to be alive on the earth except for the sin and the misery sin brings.

We may think we want to die and "go to Heaven," but when we are waiting for the biopsy we find ourselves hoping the results will be negative. Isn't that the case?

Do you really want to die? Probably not unless you are in very great pain or emotional stress.

It is natural to want to live. As rough as life is, we still want to live on the earth.

We have this funny idea about wanting to live forever in the spirit realm with the angels. This is because we are tired, sick, frustrated, or have many bills.

You may think you would be happy with the angels and other living creatures in the spirit realm, but you wouldn't be. Why? Because you were created on the earth and the earth is in you.

Do you ever notice that when people describe Heaven they actually describe New England, or Wisconsin, or Switzerland. Just think! In heaven there is beautiful grass, flowers, trees, clouds, hills and mountains. The birds are singing. All is peaceful.

In case you didn't realize it, you are describing the earth without sin.

No, we don't want all new things, we want all things new.

Picture an earth without sin, without war, without sickness, death, pain, or dread. Picture the most beautiful scene of nature you have ever enjoyed. Picture Jesus, the Father, the holy angels, being here with you. Picture yourself surrounded with your loved ones.

Would you like to leave this and go to live in a mansion in the spirit realm with a backyard full of diamonds instead of grass? Probably not.

You see, you don't want to go to Heaven after all. You want the best of Heaven to come to the earth and that is exactly what God has planned.

What will be carried over to the new earth? All that has died in Christ and been resurrected in Christ. Every person, every thing, every incident must have the stamp of Christ in it. Sin is gone forever, confined in the Lake of Fire with the devil and his angels. All is love, joy, peace.

Best of all God is here with us. The name of the city will be "the Lord is there," Ezekiel said.

Is there a Heaven? Yes. But it is not our eternal home, thank God. Our eternal home is the earth made new in Christ. Heaven is a resting place while the army of the Lord is being prepared to invade the earth and drive all wickedness from it.

Our greatest joy can be found only in relationships. Only a perfect relationship with God and a perfect relationship with people will satisfy the longing of our soul. Nothing else will fulfill us, not diamonds, rubies, or pearls. These are only toys. Love and love alone makes the world what it was meant to be.

To be continued.