Hi Dean,
You have some really good replies already
I will add a bit to what has been said.
This physical life that we have now, is just a shadow of real life to come in the spirit. When we die, we are dead and in the grave, our only hope is the resurrection from the dead.
Acts 24:15 And I have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
John 17:3 And this is eternal (eonian) life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
In this present age the whole world is decieved, God has kept the truth a mystery to the vast majority of mankind.
Mar 4:11 And He said to them, To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. But to those outside, all these things are given in parables
v. 2 so that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand;
This age now is for mankind to have a experience of good and evil. To gain the knowledge of this life and to realize how totally depraved mankind can be.
Ecc 1:13 I applied my heart to inquiring and exploring by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens:it is an experience of evil Elohim has given to the sons of humanity to humble them by it. (CLV)
There are a very few that God is choosing to be separate, for a special work. These He is revealing His truth to, these are His chosen elect.
2Co 6:17 Therefore come out from among them and be separated, says the Lord, and do not touch the unclean thing. And I will receive you
v. 18 and I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.
For these few that God is indwelling and has opened their eyes, He is preparing these, to reign with Christ when He returns to rule the earth.
Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
2Tim 2:11 The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with Him, we will also live with Him;
v. 12 if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He also will deny us;
This is the greatest honor any human being could ever hope to have, but we have done anything to deserve it or earn it, quite the opposite.
1Co 1:26 For you see your calling, brothers, that not many wise men according to the flesh are called, not many mighty, not many noble.
v. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
v. 28 and God has chosen the base things of the world, and things which are despised, and things which are not, in order to bring to nothing things that are;
v. 29 so that no flesh should glory in His presence.
v. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who of God is made to us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption;
v. 31 so that, according as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord."
All this now is so when Christ returns He will bring all of humanity to salvation, though it will be in the Lake of fire, which is judgment.
1Tim 2:4 who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1Cor 3:15 If anyone's work shall be burned up, he shall suffer loss. But he shall be saved, yet so as by fire.
2Peter 3:7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
The new heaven and new earth will be set up on earth at Christ's return and all the world will be judged and learn righteousness.
Isa 26:9 My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.
Col 1:17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
v. 18 He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent.
v. 19 For in Him all the fulness of God was pleased to dwell,
v. 20 and through Him to reconcile to Himself
all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross.
mercy, peace, and love
Kat