May 1, 2002, Vol.2, No.9.
Two new articles every two weeks.
Bible Question? E-mail
us.
THIS ISSUE: "A
New Heavens and a New Earth?" (see below)
and "The King James Only
Controversy"
ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS:
A New Heavens and
a New Earth?
by Keith Sharp
 QUESTION:
Hello! I have been listening to your audio sermons on the
internet. They are very interesting. Well, I have a question
about the one on "What happens when Jesus returns."
What do you think about the verse in 2 Peter verse 13, about
the promise of a new heavens and a new earth where righteousness
is to dwell. Who and what is the new earth for? I am kind of
confused especially if the righteous are all going to heaven.
ANSWER: Hi! We're very
glad you have been listening to the audio lessons from the web
site.
The reference to the "heavens and earth" is found in
four passages in 2 Peter chapter 3. In verse 5 it refers to the
material creation, the universe. Verses 7 and 10 promise that
this heavens and earth will pass away when the Lord returns.
The language is plan and graphic. The present heavens and earth
"are reserved for fire." (verse 7)
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night,
in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the
elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the
works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since
all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought
you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and
hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the
heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will
melt with fervent heat? (verses 10-12)
Obviously, the "new heavens and a new earth" (verse
13) are not the present universe or any part of it.
Isaiah uses the terms "heavens" and "earth"
in reference to a new order of things (Isaiah 13:1,13). Peter
himself teaches that our hope is a home in heaven (1 Peter 1:3-5).
Here the word "heaven" is singular, whereas, in all
the references in which Peter uses it to mean what we would call
"the universe," it is plural. "Heaven" (singular)
is where God dwells (Matthew 6:9), where the Holy Sprit dwells
(1 Peter 1:12), where Christ has gone (1 Peter 3:21-22), where
the angels abide (Matthew 22:30), and where the redeemed will
spend eternity (Matthew 5:12; 25:46). We have only one hope (Ephesians
4:4). Thus, the "new heavens and new earth" are a figurative
reference to heaven as a new order of things after this present
order has been destroyed.
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