Hi Mark,
Regarding our future here on the planet earth.
A plausible story that I have believed for quite a while is as follows.
Jesus the Christ returns at the appointed time and takes control of world government.
Whomever is left alive on the earth continues living their life span as the earth is renewed.
A human government may exist but Satan will be put away and not be able to influence mankind.
After an age of perhaps 1000 years with Christ ruling in peace and the results of that rule having
provided a large population to grow and prosper, Satan will be loosed once more to test the whole world and from then the story is not clear.
In any case Christ will eventually put down all sin and even death and then will turn the whole system over to his father and father God will make His home with us here on a NEW earth. So If God is going to be here and we are all going to be immortal (spiritual) then the future earth can be quite a bit different than it is today. e.g. no more volcanoes or storm etc. and we won't ever die so there needs to be lots of fruitful challenges and opportunities that God will provide.
Let your imagination explore that scenario...
= = =
1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
1Co 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
1Co 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
1Co 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
1Co 15:27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
1Co 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.