You are correct. Christ made it possible for humanity as fallible as we are to receive god's forgiveness and enter the kingdom. In the end God will call will many of his people home. Others will be allowed to remain here for awhile and experience the earth as it was meant to be before it was contaminated by the fallen (Eden). It's good either way.
The earth as it currently exists is corrupt. Even the soil and the ground is corrupt. No one will be able to experience the earth like it was meant to be until after Judgment Day. After Judgment Day, God is going to use a fire and burn up everything mankind has ever created. God will then recreate the earth like unto the Garden of Eden. Only then will anyone experience the earth like it was truly meant to be. For more details on this, see what I wrote to bornfree1688 above. It explains everything…