betrayed by him into the hands of Satan, and so long held by the mighty
foe, has been brought back by the great plan of redemption. All that was
lost by sin has been restored. "Thus saith the Lord ... that formed the
earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, He
formed it to be inhabited."(1177) God's original purpose in the creation
of the earth is fulfilled as it is made the eternal abode of the redeemed.
"The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever."(1178)

A fear of making the future inheritance seem too material has led many to
spiritualize away the very truths which lead us to look upon it as our
home. Christ assured His disciples that He went to prepare mansions for
them in the Father's house. Those who accept the teachings of God's word
will not be wholly ignorant concerning the heavenly abode. And yet, "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."(1179) Human
language is inadequate to describe the reward of the righteous. It will be
known only to those who behold it. No finite mind can comprehend the glory
of the Paradise of God.

In the Bible the inheritance of the saved is called a country.(1180) There
the heavenly Shepherd leads His flock to fountains of living waters. The
tree of life yields its fruit every month, and the leaves of the tree are
for the service of the nations. There are ever-flowing streams, clear as
crystal, and beside them waving trees cast their shadows upon the paths
prepared for the ransomed of the Lord. There the wide-spreading plains
swell into hills of beauty, and the mountains of God rear their lofty
summits. On those peaceful plains, beside those living streams, God's
people, so long pilgrims and wanderers, shall find a home.

"My people shall dwell in a peaceful habitation, and in sure dwellings,
and in quiet resting-places." "Violence shall no more be heard in thy
land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy
walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise." "They shall build houses, and
inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them,
They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shalt not plant, and
another eat:... Mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their
hands."(1181)

There, "the wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and
the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the ros