The Everywhere-Nowhere Future ∙∙
Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth, and no one will even think about the old ones anymore. – Isaiah 65:17
2 Peter 3:12-13
Looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames.
But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.
The Everywhere-Nowhere Future: A Shift in Work and Society
The story is told of a recorded phone call to customer support that connected to an employee’s home during the strict shelter-in-place and work-from-home policies in effect during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
Client: “No! This is unacceptable. I want to speak to one of your superiors.”
Customer support: “Moooom!”
The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 brought unprecedented, sweeping changes to daily life, fundamentally altering how people worked, learned, and connected with one another. As the world faced the uncertainty of the virus, terms like “social distancing,” “shelter in place,” and “work from home” quickly entered the global lexicon, reflecting the profound adjustments required to adapt to the crisis.
One of the most transformative changes was the widespread adoption of remote work. Businesses and employees were compelled to relocate their workspaces to their homes, while education systems shifted to virtual platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Skype, GoToMeeting, and Webex. What was once considered a distant, futuristic idea became an immediate necessity. This rapid change introduced a new paradigm into mainstream thought: the “Everywhere-Nowhere” future, where physical presence was replaced by digital connectivity.
The Historical Context of Work and Proximity
Throughout much of human history, people lived close to their workplaces, blending home and work as a vital part of daily life. By 2020, however, this had changed significantly, with over 90 percent of Americans commuting to work and spending an average of 27 minutes traveling. Urban economies thrived on this spatial closeness, with cities serving as key centers for commerce, innovation, and collaboration.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted this traditional model, replacing spatial proximity with cloud-based connectivity. Remote work, once a niche practice, rapidly became the norm for millions. As Derek Thompson correctly observed, “Telecommunications doesn’t have to be the perfect substitute for in-person meetings, as long as it’s mostly good enough. For the most part, remote work just works.” This change redefined the workplace, demonstrating that productivity and teamwork could go beyond physical boundaries.
The Transition to Remote Work
The shift to remote work follows patterns seen in past societal changes. In the 1950s and 1960s, the construction of the U.S. interstate highway system allowed higher-income families to move from city centers to distant suburbs, decentralizing populations.
Silicon Valley, once identified by its physical location, has transformed into a decentralized network of talent and innovation. A permanently distributed workforce is replacing the traditional idea of a centralized urban hub. This change raises an intriguing question: could the next Silicon Valley exist everywhere and nowhereat the same time?
The City in the Cloud
The pandemic accelerated the rise of what has been called the “City in the Cloud.” This virtual city serves as a more accessible alternative to the traditional urban center, driven by agglomeration, specialization, and convenience. It envisions a future where work, collaboration, and innovation go beyond the limitations of physical location.
This “Everywhere-Nowhere” paradigm challenges traditional ideas of proximity and community. While it opens new opportunities for flexibility and inclusivity, it also raises critical questions about the long-term effects on cities, economies, and human connections.
A Glimpse of the Ultimate Future
The pandemic not only transformed urban landscapes and work environments but also is a harbinger of a promised future, as foretold in the Scriptures. Matthew 24:30 states, “And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens . . . And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”
REFLECT & PRAY
Matthew 24:30 emphasizes a future that goes beyond the limits of earthly existence. From the Father’s eternal perspective, the future isn’t a distant event but an unfolding reality. The changes caused by the pandemic are a small reflection of the transformative power within His divine plans.
Father, what an amazing future You have designed for Your children. In Your eternal perspective, the future is already taking shape. May the joy of Your presence grow deeper in our lives each day as we look forward to the fulfillment of Your promises.
INSIGHT
Living in Parallel Realities
As children of the King, we inhabit two parallel realities, existing as both citizens of Earth and citizens of Heaven. This dual identity places us in both an earthly city and a heavenly, cloud-based city. Yet, this is far from an abstract or impersonal concept. Rather than an “Everywhere-Nowhere” existence, it is an “Everywhere-Someone” reality, firmly anchored in the presence of the Father.
Because of the Father’s omniscience, He exists everywhere simultaneously. Through our eternal connection with Him as part of His Forever Family, each child of the King is spiritually united with Him in the heavenly realms through Christ.
As stated in Ephesians 1:20, God “raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” The Lord Jesus Christ is seated in the heavenly, eternal city of God.
Seated with Christ in Heavenly Places
The Apostle Paul elaborates on this profound truth in Ephesians 2:4-6:
“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.”
This spiritual truth transcends the boundaries of time and space. Revealing that in Christ, the children of the King are already seated with Christ in the heavenly realms.
This passage emphasizes the transformative power of divine grace. Through the resurrection of Christ, we are redeemed from sin and spiritually elevated to share in His heavenly authority. This profound truth highlights the enduring connection between the Father and His children, enabling them to exist in His presence while still navigating the realities of earthly life.
The Coming Kingdom of God
While children of the King now enjoy a spiritual relationship with the Father in heavenly places, the Scriptures also promise the creation of a future physical kingdom. One day, the Lord Jesus Christ will return to reign as Messiah and King over God’s kingdom on Earth. This millennial reign, described in Revelation 20, will last 1,000 years, during which Christ will fulfill God’s promises for His earthly kingdom, bringing justice, peace, and restoration.
The earthly kingdom is not the final destination for children of the King. It serves as a transient phase within the mind-boggling, extraordinary plan of God’s eternal design.
The New Heavens and New Earth
After the millennial reign, the earthly kingdom of God will give way to the New Heavens and New Earth. This eternal reality is described in Revelation 21:1-3:
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, ‘Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.’”
In the eternal state, the New Jerusalem will descend from heaven, seamlessly blending the spiritual and physical realms. This divine city highlights the close bond with the Lord Jesus Christ and the everlasting relationship with the Father. It will be a place where God’s presence is fully experienced, and all His children will dwell with Him forever.
The King of Glory
The ultimate reality of God’s kingdom is rooted in His glory and majesty. As declared in Psalms 24:10, “Who is the King of glory? The Lord of Heaven’s Armies, he is the King of glory.” This verse powerfully reminds us of the Lord’s sovereignty and strength, as He rules over all creation while inviting His children to participate in His eternal kingdom.
The future awaiting every child of the King is full of unmatched joy and fulfillment, where the presence of the King of Glory will be both immediate and eternal. This “Everywhere-Someone” reality stands as a powerful proof of God’s love, grace, and longing to dwell with His people forever.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯5-8-3
© Dr. H 2026
Dr H Reflections 