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I liked C.S.Lewis' space trilogy's treatment of these issues.

But it seems to me that the Scripture ALL CREATION GROANS as though in burdened, troubled expectancy and yearning for the manifestatino of the sons of God [whatever all that means] . . .

would IMPLY that all creation is somehow polluted to some degree by sin--by opposition in some sense to God's perfection.

The ruling and reigning with Christ and the judging angels could also easily be construed as fitting in with that . . .

Earth being a 'temporary' in infinite time terms boot camp to rear up a large number of intelligent creatures made in God's image to rule and reign with Christ through endless ages in an economy based on Love, humility, servant-heartedness in submission to God's ways . . .

going about the infinite universes setting to right all that became polluted and less than perfect.

Sounds fun to me.

The Lord of The Rings could end up being a shallow soap opera BY COMPARISON.

Earth being a 'temporary' in infinite time terms boot camp to rear up a large number of intelligent creatures made in God's image to rule and reign with Christ through endless ages in an economy based on Love, humility, servant-heartedness in submission to God's ways . . . going about the infinite universes setting to right all that became polluted and less than perfect. Sounds fun to me. The Lord of The Rings could end up being a shallow soap opera BY COMPARISON.

Indeed, Quix! It does seem that God's intent is to raise up intelligent beings in His image - and to give them the possibility of approaching Him in great goodness through their own free will and choice - then to live with Him through the ages doing His work. As a Christian, I belive this. I don't know if I will make it. I don't know if it will be fun. But I am sure it will be glorious. And yes, all things of this world, though sometimes reflective of that to come (like music, as an example - and yes, like the Lord of the Rings) - will be mere shadows of that which is to be. Christians can feel and taste the glory of that which is to come, and hope for it with all their hearts.