Heaven is defined as:
1. The sky or universe as seen from the earth; the firmament. Often used in the plural.
So when we continue space exlporation with our renewed minds we will not be allowed to settle on other planets? God will forbid it? What about a holiday house on Pluto? What if I want to stay there because I am a bit sick of my neighbours on Earth? God is not currently stopping space exploration
.
2. In Christianity
a. often Heaven The abode of God, the angels, and the souls of those who are granted salvation.
If we take only 'of' God, then when Jesus reigns on the Earth that is heaven as Jesus = God.
b. An eternal state of communion with God; everlasting bliss.
According to this, all Christians have already tasted heaven.
3. Any of the places in or beyond the sky conceived of as domains of divine beings in various religions.
Note 'any', once more re-enforcing that where God is = heaven.
4. A condition or place of great happiness, delight, or pleasure: The lake was heaven
Sounds like the New Earth would qualify as heaven.
Conclusion: This subject is not worth arguing over. But you do need to see that you easily cause offence and defy logic when you say we will be
stuck on earth and not be in ''heaven''. Perhaps phrase your view better by saying everyone will be in heaven but not necessarily in the throne room. The scriptures you quoted you are taking literally. I don't really want a scriptural debate on this as I am sure we both agree the hereafter will be awesome and we will both have our eyes further opened. Paul says it best
1 Cor 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
1. There's 'heavens' and 'Heaven'. The first is the universe and second is where God resides. It's not our minds or spirits that are renewed when Jesus returns, it is our bodies. They are changed from mortal to immortal. You assume space is for exploration, but the Bible does not tell us this. That would be the Trekkie in you.
What Rev 21:1 does tell us is that there will be a NEW heaven AND a new earth. It doesn't tell us what that will be EXCEPT that the New Earth will be without seas. The only water we will need is found in Rev 22:1.
2. You'll have to show IN SCRIPTURE, where souls go to heaven when they die to be with God KJ. Jesus said different in John 3:13;
"No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man." This holds true today until His return. Paradise is another matter and Jesus alluded to this place in Luke 23:43 and although not by name, also in Luke 16:22. Hebrews 9:27-28 also says;
Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
3. Let's not get equivocal here KJ, we are talking about a place, NOT a feeling. Fred Astaire wasn't actually there, when he sang about it in Cheek to Cheek. There are NO other divine beings KJ. God is the ONE and ONLY. All principalities and powers of darkness are subject to Jesus and we deal with them spiritually, NOT physically. We won't be flying to Mars to defeat the God of War!
4. Yes it does sound like it doesn't it? The FACT is however, that God creates a NEW HEAVEN and earth. You're being equivocal now instead of just admitting to the facts.
ANY truth is worth it KJ. We're almost 100 posts in to this thread and NOW you don't want to support your view? IMO the worth is based on the truth therein which you seem to have given up on, but so be it. I don't say anything KJ, the Bible does. Apparently you don't think living with God for eternity will be enough for you? You THINK you will need diversions, but you don't even KNOW what the NEW Heavens will be like. Logic has NOTHING to do with God's Word except when people won't accept what it says. We accept His Word by FAITH, not logic.
1 Cor 2:9 is great, but again IN context it is not talking about the future or heaven KJ, it is talking about what reveals to us by His Holy Spirit once we accept Jesus as our saviour. You need to finish Paul's thought by reading the next verse;
"-these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit."
I do agree with you, as Paul says in 1 Cor 13:12.
That doesn't mean we can't see what is to come by properly dividing the Word of Truth.