There Goes the Neighborhood

(Proverbs 10:30 KJV)  The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.

Many people want to go to “heaven”.  There is such a place and it is referred to in both the Old and New Testaments but it is questionable that we will spend eternity there.  We have pictures of the multitudes bowing around the throne and having some awesome worship services that would knock your socks off if socks are allowed.  But there is also a clear description of something different,

(Revelation 21:1 KJV)  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

Notice that the old heaven is going away.  The next verse is interesting,

(Revelation 21:2 KJV)  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

So we get a new city located on a new earth and the next verse talks about God abiding there.

Who knows how much is figurative and how much is literal.  I am not sure we are capable of grasping what it will be like so I go for figurative on the details.  What is clear is that those who are not walking with Jesus will not be there.  As this verse says, they will not “inhabit” (dwell NASB) (7931) there.

So?  Rejoice!  The neighborhood will be going up hill.  Not only will you finally get your yard landscaped and your house painted but the people who have those wild drunken parties on the next block will probably be gone.