Living in the Light of the Future

KEY VERSE: “We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” —II Peter 3:13

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: II Peter 3:3-14

PETER’S SECOND EPISTLE to the brethren of his day is still of special encouragement to us today. As Peter wrote this epistle, he continued to stir up the pure minds of his readers by way of remembrance of all the prophetic writings of the prophets, other apostles, and our Lord Jesus, especially as they pertain to our day.—II Pet. 3:1,2

He spoke of “scoffers” who would emerge during the last days of this present evil world (II Pet. 3:3), and said that they will ridicule those with faith, saying, “Where is the promise of his [Christ’s] coming [Greek, parousia, meaning ‘presence’].” (vs. 4) In answer to their question, Peter told of the end of the first world during Noah’s day, and how the presence of the Lord will bring a parallel experience with the advent of the Day of the Lord, and an end to the present world, or social order. In both instances the key factor is that there is complete unawareness by the world of events to come.

When the ‘heavens’, representing spiritual control of the world, and the ‘earth’, representing the social order of the world, “pass away in fervent heat” (vs. 10), “a new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (vs. 13) will replace the old world. This ‘new heavens’ and ‘new earth’ is the kingdom of God, which so many have been praying should come, even as taught by Jesus: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”—Matt. 6:10

Many sincere Christian people have the erroneous concept that in God’s Judgment Day the Planet Earth will be burned up. They overlook the use of the words ‘heaven’ and ‘earth’ as symbols of the spiritual and social orders of the world. Peter made it plain that the ‘world that was’ ended with the great Deluge: “The heavens were of old and the earth standing out of the water,” were the symbolic terms he used. He continued, saying: “The world [Greek, kosmos, ‘social arrangement’] that then was, being overflowed with water, perished.” (II Pet. 3:5,6) So also, the present world (kosmos) will be destroyed by symbolic fire. But, we are plainly told, “The earth abideth forever.”—Eccles. 1:4

When we read, “The heavens and the earth which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the Day of Judgment and perdition of ungodly men,” we are not to think that a literal fire will rage during that day. Else, we would have to visualize a fire raging for one thousand years, since Peter said, “Beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (II Pet. 3:8) From this scripture we learn that the Day of Judgment is one thousand years long, and that its purpose is to establish righteousness on earth.

The promise of a new heavens and new earth where righteousness holds sway is synonymous with the reign of Christ upon earth. (Rev. 20:6) Then the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.—Ps. 72:19; Num. 14:21

The foreknowledge of the events prophesied by Peter should inspire us to lead holy and godly lives (II Pet. 3:11), and to subdue sinful tendencies, that we may be found without spot and blameless. (vs. 14) We should live as if we were already dwelling in the Millennial day, walking honestly. (Rom. 13:13) We can only achieve this goal by “putting on the Lord Jesus Christ.”—vs. 14

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