By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land? If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. (Psalms 137:1-6)

In time, the social (earthly) and spiritual (heavenly) core of God's people became free from limitations of a physical place. The law became one of grace and truth (John 1:17) and is now written in the hearts of people everywhere (2 Corinthians 3:3). The faithful remnant once again had their 'heaven and earth' recreated. As Jesus said:

Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. (John 4:21-23)

Today the church is made up of a body of believers whose social and spiritual core is found in the belief in and obedience to Christ. We live on earth, yet our citizenship is in heaven! (2 Corinthians 1:12; Philippians 3:20) The true child of God recognizes her sins and shortcomings, remembers her covenant with her God, repents of her lack of faith, and does not look back on the unfaithful 'former' life she lived but looks ahead with great joy to the blessings God promises her.

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ siteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." (Colossians 3:1f)

Just like the prophet Isaiah, Peter gave God's warning and His ultimate promise to the saved:

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness. Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness." (II Peter 3:11-13)

Are you looking back to the former world filled with sin, pain, and hopelessness, or are you rejoicing in the social and spiritual existence of the Lord's church and looking forward with great joy and anticipation to the day when our social and spiritual existence will ultimately be realized?

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. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband .And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Revelation 21:1f)