Several months ago, self-styled radio evangelist Harold Camping predicted that the world would face total destruction, starting with a global earthquake, beginning on May 21, 2011. He was so convinced of his predictions that he took out full-page ads in major newspapers proclaiming that the end of the world was imminent.

Showing no embarrassment in television interviews, Camping admitted he got a few things wrong and, allowing himself the luxury of setting another date, will try more predictions again. This is both ludicrous and sad.

Capitalizing on natural and manmade catastrophes that continue to frighten the world and lead people to worry about our future, such self-appointed prophets appear on the scene maintaining that their apocalyptic perspective comes directly from God. But they perpetuate falsehood and confusion.

Some prophets of gloom and doom, not having spiritual vision and scriptural understanding, don't know that our planet will not be utterly destroyed in conjunction with Christ's return, but will be spared from that and will survive and flourish in a way humanity has never seen!

Why does the earth exist?

However, their prophecies do raise an interesting question: Why does our planet even need to exist when most Christians believe that going to heaven is the reward of the saved? If we're going to heaven when we die, then why would this earth need to survive? Does it really even matter? 

Most people realize that the earth is the only habitable planet in our solar system. All other planets are uninhabitable, and if it were possible to put a man on Mars, for example, he could survive only if his life were protected and preserved in some kind of protective environment, living in a bubble. The notion of leaving a man on the moon has never materialized, and Mars is much farther away than the moon.

Most people don't consider why the earth exists. To them it just does. They don't want to be bothered with such trivialities when they're trying to make ends meet buying gas and groceries. They are so wrapped up in themselves and their personal activities that they never consider this concept. Many others are wrapped up in collecting as many toys as possible before they die.

Seriously, why does the earth exist? When you discover the answer to this question, really grasping its implications, your worldview will change!

Here's the answer in a few sentences:

The earth exists because of you, and because of all people who have ever lived and who will live in the future.

The earth exists because God and Jesus Christ will establish Their Kingdom here.

The earth exists because eventually God the Father will bring the heavenly Jerusalem, where He lives, down to the earth when the earth is transformed into a new earth (Revelation 21:2 Revelation 21:2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
American King James Version×, 10, 24).

You can know, indeed you need to know, why the earth exists. Your future depends on understanding this simple fact of truth.

God tells us that He built the earth for us, a home in which human beings could adopt good values, build good character and honor Him and His laws: "Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth'" (Genesis 1:26 Genesis 1:26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.
American King James Version×).

That takes time, education, practice, experience, maturity and looking to God's (not man's) counsel. "O Lord, I know it is not within the power of man [naturally] to map his life and plan his course" (Jeremiah 10:23 Jeremiah 10:23O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walks to direct his steps.
American King James Version×, Living Bible).

We're alive on God's earth, this special and unique environment that sustains all physical life, to learn to rule over and to take care of all living things. Even greater, we're here to take care of our fellow human beings: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39 Matthew 22:39And the second is like to it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
American King James Version×; Leviticus 19:18 Leviticus 19:18You shall not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
American King James Version×). This is the reason for our being and our being here (compare 1 John 4:20-21 1 John 4:20-21 [20] If a man say, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar: for he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? [21] And this commandment have we from him, That he who loves God love his brother also.
American King James Version×).

Where does this lead us, if we learn to honor the great God who gave us the privilege to take good care of what He's given us, beginning with our own lives? Sadly, secular history and Bible prophecy prove that human beings have been driven to bring misery on and destroy ourselves (Proverbs 14:12 Proverbs 14:12There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
American King James Version×; Matthew 24:21-22 Matthew 24:21-22 [21] For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. [22] And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
American King James Version×; Romans 3:10-18 Romans 3:10-18 [10] As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: [11] There is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God. [12] They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that does good, no, not one. [13] Their throat is an open sepulcher; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: [14] Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: [15] Their feet are swift to shed blood: [16] Destruction and misery are in their ways: [17] And the way of peace have they not known: [18] There is no fear of God before their eyes.
American King James Version×; Isaiah 59:1-14 Isaiah 59:1-14 [1] Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: [2] But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. [3] For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue has muttered perverseness. [4] None calls for justice, nor any pleads for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. [5] They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eats of their eggs dies, and that which is crushed breaks out into a viper. [6] Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. [7] Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. [8] The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whoever goes therein shall not know peace. [9] Therefore is judgment far from us, neither does justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness. [10] We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noon day as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men. [11] We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us. [12] For our transgressions are multiplied before you, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them; [13] In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. [14] And judgment is turned away backward, and justice stands afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.
American King James Version×).

Human beings can wreck their future

Although God has given people every opportunity to live as if they were in the Garden of Eden, we have diligently persisted in wrecking our futures. God wants to give us the penthouse; we ignore Him and head for the doghouse.

Romans 6:23 Romans 6:23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
American King James Version×tells us that "the wages of sin is death" (emphasis added throughout) The word wages is instructive. Wages are what we earn for what we diligently work to produce! Human beings pay dearly in this life through pain and suffering for disobeying God's holy commandments, in the end earning death—much like a soldier is, at the bottom line, paid to produce pain and suffering and death.

God says that human beings don't know how to properly conduct their own lives (Jeremiah 10:23 Jeremiah 10:23O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walks to direct his steps.
American King James Version×). We show by our actions that we disagree with God. We're hell-bent on wrecking our lives by drinking up, partying down, getting high on drugs and addicting ourselves to a spate of instant gratifications. We are constantly at war with one another. Humankind knows no true and lasting peace (Isaiah 59:8 Isaiah 59:8The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whoever goes therein shall not know peace.
American King James Version×). We steal, cheat and deceive.

Is this all our fault? Yes, to a great extent, for God gives us freedom to choose between good and evil: "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live" (Deuteronomy 30:19 Deuteronomy 30:19I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your seed may live:
American King James Version×).

Surely in many respects we know better. But we persist in choosing evil. It's for this reason that God commands everyone everywhere to repent. As Acts 17:30 Acts 17:30And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men every where to repent:
American King James Version×tells us, "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent."

God makes it clear that the common ox or donkey honors its master better than human beings! "Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the Lord has spoken: ‘I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against Me; the ox knows its owner and the donkey its master's crib; but Israel does not know, My people do not consider.'

"Alas, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who are corrupters! They have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked to anger the Holy One of Israel, they have turned away backward. Why should you be stricken again? You will revolt more and more. The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faints'" (Isaiah 1:2-5 Isaiah 1:2-5 [2] Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD has spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. [3] The ox knows his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel does not know, my people does not consider. [4] Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel to anger, they are gone away backward. [5] Why should you be stricken any more? you will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
American King James Version×).

Given the latitude to make personal decisions about our thoughts and actions, we race to wreck our futures.

Earlier I asked whether our human problems were our fault. I answered that yes, to a major extent we do bear responsibility for our choices and actions. However, there's more to the overall picture than our human tendency toward self-destruction.

An unseen interloper wants us dead

Is something or someone else complicit in our tailspin to self-destruction? The truth is there is an invisible interloper who wants to destroy you and me, not only in this life, but forever! That interloper is a great fallen spirit being, who is identified as the god of this age (2 Corinthians 4:4 2 Corinthians 4:4In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine to them.
American King James Version×), the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2 Ephesians 2:2Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:
American King James Version×), the arch-destroyer, and Satan the devil (Revelation 20:2 Revelation 20:2And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
American King James Version×), who palms himself off as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14 2 Corinthians 11:14And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
American King James Version×).

Satan wants to destroy us because he knows our ultimate destiny. Satan knows God's purpose for human life—what God will grant us if we continue to accept His gift of grace, which includes unmerited pardon from our sins and spiritual help to continue obeying God's laws.

Satan knows that human beings who become sons of God, younger brothers of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 2:11-12 Hebrews 2:11-12 [11] For both he that sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers, [12] Saying, I will declare your name to my brothers, in the middle of the church will I sing praise to you.
American King James Version×), will rule over angels (Hebrews 1:13-14 Hebrews 1:13-14 [13] But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool? [14] Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
American King James Version×). He knows that ultimately we will take up the responsibilities of judging angels (1 Corinthians 6:3 1 Corinthians 6:3Know you not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
American King James Version×).

Satan was angry long before God created human beings on this earth. He initiated a violent rebellion to overthrow God from His throne (Isaiah 14:12-15 Isaiah 14:12-15 [12] How are you fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how are you cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations! [13] For you have said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also on the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: [14] I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. [15] Yet you shall be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
American King James Version×). Some have speculated that this was perhaps because he came to learn that human beings would have a higher and greater destiny than angels (Hebrews 1:14 Hebrews 1:14Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
American King James Version×).

The apostle Peter warned us about the unseen archenemy of humankind: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8 1 Peter 5:8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:
American King James Version×).

He is a murderer and liar who has "deceived the whole world" (John 8:44 John 8:44You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stayed not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
American King James Version×; Revelation 12:9 Revelation 12:9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
American King James Version×). He is the "tempter" who tempts people to sin (Matthew 4:3 Matthew 4:3And when the tempter came to him, he said, If you be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
American King James Version×). Blinded and tempted by him, the vast majority of human beings are ensnared and have been "taken captive by him to do his will" (2 Timothy 2:24-26 2 Timothy 2:24-26 [24] And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient, [25] In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; [26] And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
American King James Version×).

Can humanity do better? Can we escape the snares of the devil, having been taken captive to do his will? God says we can. God will lead all humanity to one day worship Him for their own good as He intended (Malachi 1:11 Malachi 1:11For from the rising of the sun even to the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered to my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, said the LORD of hosts.
American King James Version×). No more will human beings have their own separate brand of religion and attempt to sell the notion, "Do you know the Lord?" For after Satan and His demons are removed, all humanity will worship God in the way He requires (Hebrews 8:10-11 Hebrews 8:10-11 [10] For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, said the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: [11] And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
American King James Version×).

God's plan for mankind on planet earth

God has a great plan for human beings on earth, first as physical sons and daughters and finally as spiritual, immortal and divine sons of God (1 Corinthians 15:48-49 1 Corinthians 15:48-49 [48] As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. [49] And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
American King James Version×; 1 John 3:2 1 John 3:2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
American King James Version×).

Ironically, people don't know God's plan because they are blinded to the true God by the false god of this world. He deceived our first parents, Adam and Eve, and has been tirelessly continuing his deception for millennia to take human beings captive to do his will and lead them to destroy themselves, as we've seen.

Satan the devil, the god of this age, is a different god with "a different spirit" and "a different gospel" (2 Corinthians 11:4 2 Corinthians 11:4For if he that comes preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if you receive another spirit, which you have not received, or another gospel, which you have not accepted, you might well bear with him.
American King James Version×). He has deceived human beings for thousands of years to another form of Christianity that has no inherent power, substituting his counterfeit gospel for God's truth.

This is why Christ said that God's way is difficult to find and that few do: "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14 Matthew 7:13-14 [13] Enter you in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: [14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads to life, and few there be that find it.
American King James Version×).

God's ultimate plan for humanity is for us to become His children, part of His very family, in His coming Kingdom. This is the true gospel of Jesus Christ!

God desires that all human beings change and follow Him (1 Timothy 2:4 1 Timothy 2:4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
American King James Version×). We will then be younger siblings of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 2:10-11 Hebrews 2:10-11 [10] For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. [11] For both he that sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers,
American King James Version×), divine as He is divine (1 John 3:1-3 1 John 3:1-3 [1] Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knows us not, because it knew him not. [2] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. [3] And every man that has this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure.
American King James Version×), and immortal (1 Corinthians 15:50-53 1 Corinthians 15:50-53 [50] Now this I say, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption. [51] Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
American King James Version×), serving with Christ on earth as kings and priests (Revelation 5:10 Revelation 5:10And have made us to our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
American King James Version×), reigning over and judging human beings on this earth (Luke 19:17 Luke 19:17And he said to him, Well, you good servant: because you have been faithful in a very little, have you authority over ten cities.
American King James Version×; Revelation 2:26 Revelation 2:26And he that overcomes, and keeps my works to the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
American King James Version×; 1 Corinthians 6:2 1 Corinthians 6:2Do you not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
American King James Version×), while helping them to learn God's way of life. 

True Christianity is not for wimps!

God's way requires personal sacrifice (Romans 12:1 Romans 12:1I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
American King James Version×), the kind of sacrifice that resists our human desires based on our selfish, greedy and deceitful human nature (Jeremiah 17:9 Jeremiah 17:9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
American King James Version×).

True Christianity, based on Scripture, cuts across the grain of human nature and bares a person's being before God: "For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are. Nothing in all creation can hide from him. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done" (Hebrews 4:12-14 Hebrews 4:12-14 [12] For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. [13] Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened to the eyes of him with whom we have to do. [14] Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
American King James Version×, New Living Translation).

The apostle Paul discusses God's requirement of those who profess to be Christians (Romans 6:1-23 Romans 6:1-23 [1] What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? [3] Know you not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? [4] Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. [5] For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: [6] Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that from now on we should not serve sin. [7] For he that is dead is freed from sin. [8] Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: [9] Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death has no more dominion over him. [10] For in that he died, he died to sin once: but in that he lives, he lives to God. [11] Likewise reckon you also yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. [12] Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in the lusts thereof. [13] Neither yield you your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin: but yield yourselves to God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. [14] For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace. [15] What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. [16] Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness? [17] But God be thanked, that you were the servants of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. [18] Being then made free from sin, you became the servants of righteousness. [19] I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as you have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity to iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness to holiness. [20] For when you were the servants of sin, you were free from righteousness. [21] What fruit had you then in those things whereof you are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. [22] But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end everlasting life. [23] For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
American King James Version×). Once we've repented of our sins, accepted Jesus as our personal Savior, been buried with Him in the symbolic watery grave of baptism, and had hands laid on us to receive God's Spirit, then we can and must go forward in our lives, following Christ's example and overcoming daily (2 Corinthians 4:16 2 Corinthians 4:16For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
American King James Version×; Matthew 5:44 Matthew 5:44But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which spitefully use you, and persecute you;
American King James Version×; 22:37-39).

Old sinful habits keep us under the control and manipulation of the god of this age (Romans 6:16 Romans 6:16Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?
American King James Version×). In this blinded condition, human beings are unable to enjoy the spiritually refreshing and productive will of God, expressed by His laws, which teach us God's love (1 John 5:3 1 John 5:3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
American King James Version×).

True Christianity is not for wimps. Read the book of Acts and you find true Christians speaking the true gospel and suffering persecution and martyrdom. You find religious and political authorities dragging early Church members before judges and throwing them into prison. You find some beaten and stoned to death.

The true Christianity of the early apostolic Church is a difficult path to follow! Jesus said: "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you" (John 15:19 John 15:19If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
American King James Version×). You can learn much more about this in our free booklet The Church Jesus Built.

Christ said it was utterly impossible to honor God without putting Him first in your life, ahead of family and your own life (Luke 14:26 Luke 14:26If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
American King James Version×). Further, He said it was impossible to be His disciple unless we take up His cross—paying whatever price is required of us in living a life of godly service—and follow Him and His ways (Luke 14:27 Luke 14:27And whoever does not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
American King James Version×). True Christianity is not for wimps! 

Planet earth will survive and flourish

God says that the earth will not die. On the contrary, Scripture shows that, after Christ returns, our planet earth will be greater than it has ever been. Notice this prophecy of Jesus Christ's reign from Isaiah 11:1-10 Isaiah 11:1-10 [1] And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: [2] And the spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; [3] And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: [4] But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. [5] And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. [6] The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatted calf together; and a little child shall lead them. [7] And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. [8] And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. [9] They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. [10] And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
American King James Version×:

"There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of [King David's father] Jesse, and a Branch [Christ] shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. His delight is in the fear of the Lord . . . Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, and faithfulness the belt of His waist.

"The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play by the cobra's hole, and the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper's den.

"They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles [non-Israelites] shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious."

Finally, let's encapsulate the truth from the Bible about the future of mankind and the earth:

God guarantees the earth will survive and flourish, though it will ultimately be transformed (Isaiah 11:1-10 Isaiah 11:1-10 [1] And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: [2] And the spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; [3] And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: [4] But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. [5] And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. [6] The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatted calf together; and a little child shall lead them. [7] And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. [8] And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. [9] They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. [10] And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
American King James Version×; 35:1-2; Amos 9:13-15 Amos 9:13-15 [13] Behold, the days come, said the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that sows seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt. [14] And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. [15] And I will plant them on their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, said the LORD your God.
American King James Version×).

God guarantees that humankind will survive and flourish as never before (Micah 4:1-4 Micah 4:1-4 [1] But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow to it. [2] And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. [3] And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. [4] But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken it.
American King James Version×).

God guarantees that this earth will become like a literal Garden of Eden (Ezekiel 36:35-36 Ezekiel 36:35-36 [35] And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited. [36] Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the LORD build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it.
American King James Version×).

God guarantees you can receive His Holy Spirit and have a part in this when you commit yourself to honor Him and obey His will (Acts 2:38 Acts 2:38Then Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
American King James Version×; 3:19; Romans 8:12-14 Romans 8:12-14 [12] Therefore, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. [13] For if you live after the flesh, you shall die: but if you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live. [14] For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
American King James Version×).

Planet earth is yet to flourish as never before. It will survive, as will humankind. Will you commit yourself to believing and obeying Christ's true gospel message today?