Preparing for 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 3:1-13

IT IS A blessing to know the meaning of the Apostle Peter’s words in this third chapter of his second epistle. The majority of mankind are unaware of this part of God’s plan, and those who hear about it react to it like the scoffers mentioned by the apostle in II Peter 3:3,4.

As we call attention to the events in the world as being unprecedented, the rebuttal is that history is merely repeating itself, and nothing unusual is to happen. Peter calls attention to the first world (cosmos, or ‘order’ upon the earth, and of which the literal earth is a symbol), which ended with the great De-luge with only Noah and his family surviving.

This epistle calls attention to the prophesied destruction by symbolic ‘fire’, of the present spiritual ruling powers and the present social order. The end of this second world will usher in the “Day of Judgment” (vs. 7), which will be one thousand years long and introduces the new heavens and new earth which comprise the third world.”—vs. 8

This is no less than the ‘kingdom’ of God that Christians have been praying for when uttering the prayer taught by Jesus (Matt. 6:10), and which is described so aptly by the Apostle Peter in our Key Verse as ‘new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness’. For centuries the Christian world has dreaded the events described by all the apostles and the holy prophets. (vs. 2) Many expect the literal earth to be burned up, whereas the Scriptures say, “The earth abideth forever.”—Eccles. 1:4

How glad mankind will be when the present evil order is destroyed. In its place a new spiritual ruling power—the new heavens, or Christ and his church—and a new social order—the new earth, God’s kingdom on earth—will be installed. A remarkable future awaits all the willing and obedient of mankind!

Those who do know of this wonderful plan of God should be inspired to live godly lives in preparation for these kingdom blessings. The apostle states the matter so well: “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation [conduct] and godliness.”—II Pet. 3:11

God has given us many signs telling of the proximity of his kingdom, and that “the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” (Luke 21:31) Yet, in spite of these signs which tell us that these events are so close to complete fulfillment, the apostle says, “The Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night,” quietly, unexpectedly, with no forewarning.—II Pet. 3:10

Those being selected in this age to be rulers in that kingdom prepare themselves by living godly lives. The rest of mankind, being unaware of the meaning of the signs of the impending end of the present evil world, will have an opportunity to learn righteousness during the Day of Judgment of one thousand years. The Prophet Isaiah foresaw and stated the matter well so many centuries ago, saying: “When thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.”—Isa.26:9

John wrote: “I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.”—Rev. 21:1

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