A Better Future

The little planet we call home is an incredibly special place in the universe. Astronomers have not yet found life anywhere else, but life on our planet is under threat. In the past 200 years, earth’s population has grown from 1 billion to 7 billion and the United Nations predicts that we will reach 9.7 billion by 2050. An increased population brings increased problems. Social crises, crime, and international conflicts are becoming more frequent and violent. Earth’s inhabitants are rapidly consuming natural resources. Pollution is endangering wildlife. Scientists wonder whether this earth will be able to sustain 10 billion people. Will we ever be able to overcome all these problems?

Can Religion Help?

Each religion offers its own solutions. Some teach that this world will steadily improve, but we clearly see the opposite. Others offer a type of escape plan. They see this world as forever doomed and teach that God will rescue the good people when they die and take them to heaven. In the East, nirvana is believed to be the ultimate solution. It ends the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, but nirvana itself is not described.

The Christian Solution

The Christian holy writings, called the Bible, teach that this world is in a state of trouble and suffering because we have rebelled against our Creator (Genesis 6:5). But the Creator has promised to recreate this earth in its original perfection (Revelation 21:1). Those who have allowed God to heal their selfish motives and have left their immorality behind, will be welcomed into the new earth.

The Bible says that God the Creator “will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). Suffering will be gone forever!

“The eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap . . . , and the tongue of the dumb sing” (Isaiah 35:5-6). The physical imperfections we live with now will be gone! We will “run and not be weary, . . . walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

The natural world will also be restored. “The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox” (Isaiah 65:25). Can you imagine—vegetarian lions! How will this happen? The Bible says that God will come as a surprise (Matthew 24:36-42), but none will miss it because “He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him” (Revelation 1:7). There will be lightning and thunder, and the earth will shake (Matthew 24:27; Revelation 16: 17-21).

A loud trumpet blast will sound. Those who have died believing the Creator’s promise will be restored to life. Together with the living believers, they will “be caught up together . . . in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). What a happy day—children and parents, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, are all reunited!

While God wants everyone to live in the new earth, ultimately the wicked will be destroyed (2 Peter 3:9-11). Afterward, God will recreate the world and welcome us into our new home free of pollution, suffering, and death.

Imagine walking on a carpet of cool grass with your loved ones at your side. You breathe in the pure, fragrant air as you settle down for a picnic beside a brook. From across the meadow, you see a majestic tiger with a puppy scampering playfully along behind it. You feel no fear and call them to you. The puppy happily licks you with his tongue while the tiger purrs contentedly. Little giggles fill the air as the animals lick sweet mango juice from the hands of your children.

Once a week, you join the great migration to the capital city where the Creator is enthrone (Isaiah 66:22-23). As you stroll upon the streets of gold, you are filled with joy and love for your Creator. You join your family and friends in singing your praise and love to God.

You will mark time by the passing of days and weeks, but no one will grow old, fall ill, or die. Joy and love will be complete!