By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept unto the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
Truth to Learn
Though God will not bring another worldwide flood, He will judge the world and unbelieving people by a fiery judgment.
Behind the Words
The word, “reserved” is translated from thesauridzō. This is based on the word thesauros from which we get our English word thesaurus, meaning “a stored up treasure.” The word thesauridzō is a participle meaning “being laid up,” or “being kept in store,” or “being held in reserve.” This is an accounting term that often refers to treasure that is being kept in reserve for future use.
The word translated “unto” in the expression “unto the day of judgment” is the Greek preposition eis, which means “into” or “unto.” It can also be translated “for” or “until.”
The word “ungodly” is translated from the Greek word asebēs made up of the privative a, meaning “not” and a form of sebomai, meaning “to revere” or “to adore.” Hence, we see that this is a reference to those people who have no reverence for God.
Meaning Explained
In the previous verse Peter stated that the earth and its inhabitants were once judged and destroyed by a flood of water. This flood occurred some forty-five hundred years ago, according to God’s Word. In today’s verse he states that the earth and its inhabitants will someday be destroyed again. But, the judgment will not be by water this time, for God promised Noah that He would never do that again.
I have set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. And it shall be when I gather the clouds over the earth, that the bow will be seen in the cloud, and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living soul of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh. (Genesis 9:13-15)
The next judgment of the earth will be by fire and it will cause total destruction. Until that day, however, the current heavens and earth are being kept in store waiting for that day. And, according to Peter, the heavens and the earth are being held in reserve by the Word of God. Some day God’s patience and longsuffering will end and He will once again judge the world.
Peter’s point in these past few verses is that even though there are scoffers who think we are crazy to believe that there ever was a universal flood or that God will cause a catastrophic judgment of fire, the flood really did happen just as sure as the fire judgment will occur some day in the future. The best (unsaved) scientific minds today are telling us that neither could a universal flood have occurred nor could the earth be judged by great fire.
But we know better!
Application
In light of this fact, what manner of people ought we to be in the presence of a loving God who continues to hold back His judgment so that everyone will have a chance to believe in His Son? Does that affect the way you live? It should!
In God's service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2017 Will Krause. All rights reserved