2 Peter 3:13
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
Truth to Learn
After God’s fiery judgment there will be a new heaven and a new earth where only the righteous will live.
Behind the Words
The word “promise” is translated from epangelma, a form of epangellō, which is made up of epi, an intensifier and angellō, meaning “to announce, proclaim, or declare.” The suffix –ma indicates it is the result of epangellō. Hence, this could be interpreted as “a sure announcement or proclamation.”
Meaning Explained
Peter has just told us about the next judgment of the earth and its inhabitants by fire. This judgment will completely destroy the entire universe as we know it. He now tells us not to become too upset over the loss of the heavens and the earth because God is going to fulfill his declaration of a new heaven and a new earth as proclaimed by the prophet Isaiah:
For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth. And the things before will not be remembered, nor come to mind. (Isaiah 65:17)
These new heavens and new earth will be different from the current heavens and earth in that, according to Peter, in them righteousness will dwell. In other words, only the righteous will occupy the new heavens and the new earth. All others will have been cast into the lake of fire for eternity.
Some esteemed Biblical scholars have speculated that the new heavens and the new earth will simply be “renovated” and somehow changed just as they were in the flood judgment. However, according to Revelation:
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. (Revelation 20:10)
If there was found “no place for them” then they could not exist, otherwise they would be some place. In effect, what the Apostle John is saying in this passage is that they were nowhere to be found; that is, they no longer existed. He goes on to say:
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away (Revelation 21:1)
This new heaven and new earth are not simply a remake of the current heavens and earth because they will have passed away. The new heaven and new earth will be created out of nothing just as the current heavens and earth were created out of nothing.
Why is Peter telling us this right now? So that we can rest assured that God has completely thought out His plan and He will execute it in perfect harmony with all of His promises, whether the scoffers believe it or not.
Application
Therefore, first of all, we should be thankful for the salvation that we have (including a hope for a future), and secondly we should be obedient to this Almighty God who has made such great and precious promises to us.
In God’s service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2009 Will Krause. All rights reserved.
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