1. The basic definition is found at Revelation 21:1
"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth;
for the first heaven and the first earth passed away."
A. Passed away: aorist active indicative of
aperchomai,
which means literally, to go away from. Thus the idea
is that the old universe LEFT.
B. The FACT that it left is stated at Revelation 20:11,
"from Whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was
found for them."
C. The MANNER in which it left is described at 2 Peter
3:10-12 as having been destroyed by extreme heat and
burning.
2. The purpose for this renovation is explained at Hebrews
12:26-27.
Basically, so that the eternal and unspoiled might be showcased.
Verse 26
A. And His voice: this refers to the POWER from His spoken
word.
B. Shook the earth then: This refers to the physical manifestation
of God's presence on Mount Sinai at the giving of the law. Exodus 19:16-19
1. The word is saleuo as an aorist active indicative,
which means to shake or agitate, and indicates an
earthquake type effect. The verb at Exodus 19:18 in
the Hebrew is ChArad with the adverb, meodh (greatly), "the whole
mountain quaked greatly."
2. The other Greek word is seio, and it is used to describe
this same event in the LXX at Psalm 68:8 and Judges 5:4-5.
This word is used at Hebrews 12:26 for the future shaking.
C. But He has promised: this is a perfect middle indicative
of epangellomai to indicate an established future
action in the plan of God. He has promised with the
present results that the veracity of His promise remains
certain.
1. This refers to a future presence of God when His purpose
will be to judge evil and all its production.
2. The promise is quoted from Haggai 2:6, where it serves
as a summary statement concerning judgment on the earth during the day
of the Lord. That judgment begins with the day of the Lord, but will finalized
at the last judgment (2 Peter 3:7).
3. It thus, does not focus on the progress of judgment
during that time, but simply on the final judgment
in the removal of the old heavens and earth.
4. Haggai mentions several of the judgment factors for
that time period, but not with the intent to establish
a chronology.
D. Yet once more: This indicates a final manifestation
of His presence and the promotion of divine standards
(righteousness).
E. Will I shake: Here the verb seio is used to indicate
divine power accomplishing His purpose. The verb means
to really shake or agitate, as in a tree that is blown
by the wind (Rev. 6:13), or an earthquake (Matthew
27:51). It is also used at Jeremiah 8:16 to indicate
the effects from a military invasion.
F. Not only the earth: The judgment that begins at the
Day of the Lord will not only render justice to the
inhabited planet, but will also culminate in the destruction
of the planet.
G. but also the heavens: This refers to the entire solar
system, indeed, the entire physical universe.
(Every time the word, heaven occurs in the Old Testament it is in the plural.)
Verse 27, This explains the nature and extent of the renovation.
It takes the Day of the Lord judgments and extends them beyond the millennial kingdom to the renovation of the physical universe.
This suggests that the time period known as The day of the Lord, MIGHT
include the destruction of the old heavens and earth. But more detailed study
indicates otherwise.
A. And this phrase, yet once more, denotes: the verb is
deloo which means to show or indicate. The writer
uses this verb to explain the extent and nature of
the promise.
B. the removing: noun, metathesis, which means a placement
AFTER. Thus, the idea of leaving or removing. Further
amplified by the idea of "fleeing" and no place being "found
for them," (Rev. 20:11).
C. Of what can be shaken: this is a present passive participle
of saleuo = the shakable things.
D. as of CREATED things: this is a perfect passive participle
of the verb, poieo, which means to do or MAKE. Thus
it means those things that have been MADE - created
things; the physical universe.
E. In order that: hina + the subjunctive = a purpose clause.
F. the UN-shakable things: this is another present pass.
participle, but this time, with the negative (me)
to indicate things that are not and can not be subject
to physical destruction. It refers to that which has
spiritual value and substance, starting with God's
righteousness and extending to the new universe.
G. will remain: this is MENO as an aorist active subjunctive,
which completes the purpose clause (hina), and establishes
the permanence of that which has spiritual value and
substance over what has physical limitations.
H. This language indicates a complete removal of the PRESENT
physical universe in order that that which has spiritual
value (including the new universe) will be promoted.
The new physical universe will be superior to the
old universe that was corrupted by the manifestation
of spiritual darkness.
Verse 28 identifies these SUPERIOR things as the eternal
kingdom, a kingdom that cannot be shaken. And the
eternal kingdom begins with the resurrection of the
bride of Christ (old testament and new testament believers)
at the rapture.
A. since we receive: paralambano as a present active participle
(concessive participle = SINCE), sets up the motivation for maintaining the grace perspective and consistent service
to God.
B. A kingdom that cannot be shaken: This UNSHAKABLE quality
begins for us at the moment that we receive a resurrection
body, even though we do not officially begin to reign
until Christ sets up his earthly kingdom.
1. It refers to our INHERITANCE, as described at 1 Pet
1:3-5.
2. Since the ULTIMATE reward and blessing for having
trusted in Christ as Savior is our eternal life with Him,
we should be motivated to maintain attitude and function
that glorifies God during our life here on earth.
3. We see this same focus at 1 Corinthians 15:58, "THEREFORE,
be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord."
C. Let us have grace: this is the verb, echo as a present
active subjunctive (hortatory), and it means to have.
The hortatory subjunctive has the function of exhorting
the hearers (readers) to join with the speaker (writer)
in his stated intention.
D. GRACE: This is charis, and refers to the attitude and
viewpoint of grace toward everything in life. Grace
is the fact that God provides everything we need to
fulfill His demands upon our life. God is the source
and the object of all Christian activity. It INCLUDES
gratitude, but should never be limited to gratitude.
Grace is a viewpoint that recognizes the FREEDOM we have
in Christ; freedom to live in this world and enjoy it as a gift from God (1 Timothy 6:17), and freedom to love and serve
Him without threats and intimidations from Him (or others)
that we might somehow lose what He has given to us.
E. by which: That is, through (dia + genitive case) the
proper understanding and expression of grace.
F. Let us serve God acceptably: The verb serve is
latreuo,
which means to render priestly service TO. Such service is identified elsewhere as including praise, beneficent deeds and generosity
(Hebrews 13:15-16).
G. Acceptably: this is the adverb,
euarestos, and indicates
that which is designed and mandated by God. At Hebrews
13:15-16, it says that "with such sacrifices
God is pleased," using the verb, euaresteo.
H. With DEVOTION: this noun is eulabeia and is only used
here and at verse 5:7, where it speaks of Christ's
DEVOTION. The verb occurs only at Hebrews 11:7, where
it describes Noah's DEVOTION.
I. and reverence: the word, deos, is a synonym to phobos
(fear) and speaks of humility toward God that recognizes
His authority, viewpoint and policy as having jurisdiction
over one's life.
Verse 29 reminds us that God has uncompromising justice
toward all people, both believers and unbelievers.
Fire always speaks of divine justice. The believer is warned several times throughout the book of Hebrews that God's justice
will not be held back when it comes to disciplining
erring believers, "for whom the Lord loves, He
disciplines," (Hebrews 12:6).
3. This removal/destruction of the physical universe takes
place when the millennial kingdom is over, right after
Satan is cast into the lake of fire, and in connection
with the last judgment, according to the chronology of Revelation 20:7-11
and 2 Peter 3:7.
A. Revelation 20:11
1. From Whose face: the presence of Jesus Christ brings
about this destruction at the time of the last judgment.
2. earth and heaven fled away: the verb pheugo as an aorist
active indicative indicates that this FLEEING occurs in connection
with Christ sitting upon the great white throne.
3. The chronology is tricky here. At verse 13, it says
that the sea gave up the dead that were in it, which suggests that the
physical earth would not be destroyed until after the chemicals of the
actual physical bodies were recovered. This might occur concurrently with
the inception of the last judgment so that as the bodies of these unbelievers
are raised up, the earth melts away behind them.
4. And a place was not found for them: the verb is heurisko
as an aorist passive indicative, to indicate that
the old universe "perishes" from the presence
of Christ, and since there is no place found for them,
it is clear that they are destroyed.
B. In 2 Peter 3:10 and 12, we learn that it is "by
means of" (v. 10) and "because of"
(v. 12) the day of the Lord, that the removal of the
old universe will occur. This does not establish conclusively
that the renovation is actually a PART of the Day of
the Lord, but it is possible that, along with the last judgment,
the day of the Lord includes this final expression of divine
justice before the eternal state begins.
C. 2 Peter 3:7 associates the destruction of the old universe
very closely with the final judgment of unbelievers.
"But the present heavens and earth, by the same word
(the word of God)
are being reserved for fire, being preserved for the day of
judgment
and destruction of non-worshipping men."
It seems best to take this as referring to the last judgment,
rather than to any of the "temporal" judgments
that occur ON the earth after Christ returns.
D. Peter describes the MECHANICS of the destruction, while
John simply records the FACT of it.
4. Jesus also taught about the future destruction of the
universe.
A. Matthew 5:18
In this verse, the word, heos, occurs two times. The first time it refers to
the law in GENERAL, and the second time, to SPECIFIC factors within the law.
1. Until: heos an (plus the subjunctive mood of the following
verb), introduces an unknown time factor, although the event that is in
view is specific and certain.
2. heaven and earth: the PRESENT physical universe.
3. Pass away: the verb is parerchomai as an aorist active
subjunctive to indicate a future reality but with an unknown time for its occurrence.
4. the smallest letter or stroke of the law:
a. The negative (not) is with the verb.
b. This is hyperbole to indicate that
the law as an entire entity or whole unit, will be pertinent until the renovation of
the universe. (smallest letter = yodh; stroke = any
mark made by a stylus, or other writing implement)
5. Shall not pass away: the negative is doubled
(ou me)
to indicate certainty (shall not ever), and the verb
is parerchomai again, in the same form.
6. Until: heos an + pas (all) to refer to the
specific details
of God's plan for the human race as taught in the Mosaic law. There is
still the same UNKNOWN
time factor indicated by the subjunctive mood of the verb.
7. Be fulfilled: The verb is ginomai which means to become
something that it was not before, thus the idea of COME TO PASS. The physical universe will remain in place until God's
entire plan for the human race is brought to completion. That means it occurs AFTER the millennial kingdom of Christ.
However, various details of the law will be ACCOMPLISHED before the entire
WHOLE is accomplished. For example, based on the book of Hebrews and
Paul's writings, the worship system of the law was fulfilled by Christ and
is not in operation during the time period known as the church age.
B. Luke 16:17
"But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away
than for one stroke or letter of the law to fail."
It is EASIER only because in fact, God's plan has the
renovation of the universe as the FINAL item of the law to
be fulfilled.
C. Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33
Illustration of priority in permanence and pertinence.
"Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not ever pass away."
1. The verb is parerchomai again, first as a future middle
indicative, and then as an aorist active subjunctive plus the DOUBLE negative
(ou me = not ever). But Mark and Luke both have the future middle with the double negative instead
of the aorist.
2. My words refers to the divine viewpoint that Christ
taught, which revolved around relationship with God,
first, and then the principle of beneficent love as the core factor for
how creatures are to relate to one another.
5. The "idea" of the renovation of the universe
is first mentioned at Isaiah 65:17, where God reveals millennial blessings
as a foretaste of eternal blessings.
A. The renovation of the universe does not take place
until AFTER the last judgment,
which is AFTER the MK.
Certainly there are changes made at the start of the MK, but it is not a
COMPLETE new earth. There are still changing weather conditions that occur
during the MK and death.
B. The fiery events that occur during the DOL judgments
are not TOTAL destructions or changes in the condition of the earth. They
don't have anything to do with Rev. 21:1 and 2Peter 3:10-12.
C. The "event" of renovation (new heavens and new
earth) is a PROCESS that actually begins with the Messiah's FIRST advent
establishment of righteousness (justification through faith in
Christ), extends to the establishment of RIGHTEOUSNESS all over the
earth when the MK starts along with changes made in the ecology (lions,
lambs, snakes, length of life, health, etc). But there will still be
physical death of people and animals.
And then ultimately to the total PHYSICAL renovation. But Isaiah's focus is
on the Mil kingdom rather than the eternal heavens and earth.
D. The focus in Isaiah 65-66 is a HUGE period of time
viewed as one event in the
ENDTIMES, that begins with Messiah's first advent.
E. That event begins with the establishment of the new
covenant after Messiah's salvation provision of righteousness
(justification) through faith in Christ. Basically, it involves
1. The first advent
provision of salvation (Is. 65:1-5; 66:1-3).
2. The judgment on
Israel in 70 AD
(65:6-12; 66:4-6)
3. The new evangelistic
agent; the church: 65:13-16; 66:7-11
4. Day of the Lord
judgments: 66:15-18
5. Evangelism before and
during the
day of the Lord: 66:19
6. The Mil. Kingdom:
65:17-25; 66:20-24
6. Isaiah 65:17
A. For: explains the basis for focusing on the faithfulness
of God in verse 16.
It is because He will bring to fulfillment the land blessings given to Abraham, and it will be a new heavens and earth
because "the former things shall not be remembered."
This refers to a new spiritual reality in which divine righteousness is
showcased on the earth as never before.
B. The new heavens and earth describes the millennial
earth because there will be a change in the physical
laws so that people will live much longer. Also wild
animals will be tamed as at verse 25.
C. The following verses in Isaiah 65, all describe this
as referring to the millennial earth and not the renovation of the universe
that takes place at the end of the millennium.
D. But New Testament revelation tells us that the new
heavens and earth will begin with the resurrection of believers at the
2nd coming of Jesus; will include the 1000 year earthly
kingdom; and culminate in a total physical destruction
and renewal of the universe at the end of that kingdom.
All that Isaiah has in view is what occurs at the millennial reign of the
Messiah, and is not aware of the total physical renovation such as is described
at Revelation 21:1, Hebrews 12:26-27 and 2 Peter 3:7-12.
E. This KINGDOM phase of the renovation is also seen at
Isaiah 66:22.
We know that this is referring to the millennial kingdom because
of verse 22-24, which describes that kingdom.
F. This has led to confusion between the millennial kingdom
and the renovation, but if one keeps the chronological
key words in focus, everything falls into place as
I have explained.
7. What was not revealed in the Old Testament,
is that the renovation of the universe has three phases to it (1) the RESURRECTION
phase in 3 stages (Rom. 8:18-25; 2 Peter 3:13-14), (2) the KINGDOM phase,
which involves a renewed environment during Messiah's earthly kingdom (Isaiah
11:6-8; 65:25; Ezek. 34:25; Hos. 2:18), and (3) the ETERNAL phase, which
includes the final complete physical destruction and renewal of the heavens
and the earth (Heb. 12:26-27; 2 Peter 3:7-12; Rev. 20:11; 21:4).
8. The renovation is also proclaimed at Psalm
102:25-26
A. This passage contrasts the eternal existence of Messiah
with the temporal existence of the physical creation.
B. It is quoted at Hebrews 1:10-12
1. the heavens will perish: apollumi as a future middle indicative
This of course indicates a destruction as at Hebrews 12:27.
2. become old like a garment: palaioo as a future passive
indicative. When a garment becomes old, it falls apart or is simply thrown away.
3. As a mantle, you will roll them up: elisso as a F.
A. Ind.
a. Peribolaion is an outer garment that is often removed
and rolled up in order to get it out of the way.
b. At Isaiah 34:4, the universe is rolled up like a scroll.
c. In either case, the picture is of something being
visibly removed; rolled up so that it is no longer seen.
4. Like a garment, they will be changed:
allasso, f. pas. ind.
Another image, Taking off one garment and putting on another.
9. Orientation to God's past dealings with
the earth. 2 Peter 3:3-7
A. The earth has been destroyed before, and this refutes
the scoffers who claim no changes and no fulfillment of God's promises.
B. Not only was the earth destroyed and replenished, but
its now secure and stable because of the power of
God's word.
1. The heavens: reference to the original creation of
Gen. 1:1.
2. existed: eimi as an imperfect indicative = were.
3. long ago (ekpalai): context indicates the original
creation.
4. by the word of God: the mechanics of the original creation.
Hebrews 11:3, worlds (aion) prepared by the word of God.
(Aion is sometimes used for the physical universe: Heb. 1:3
Prepared: is katartidzo (aorist pas. indicative) which
means to be EQUIPPED. The worlds were EQUIPPED, decked out with all their various characteristics.
Ie, all the details of the creation, as in "all its fullness," (Psalm
24:1).
Indeed, it was the divine LOGOS (the word) who did the
actual creating (John 1:1-3).
5. And: kai - introduces a new and separate focus than
the original creation.
6. the earth: a specific reference to Genesis 1:2
7. Was formed: perfect active participle from sunistāmi,
which means to be placed or stationed (with) together.
Thus the idea of a physical creation and organization.
8. out from water: preposition, ek, to indicate the prior
state before the actual habitable environment existed.
Genesis 1:2, the surface of the deep and the surface
of the waters.
9. And through water: preposition, dia, to indicate a
massive amount of water that was incorporated in the
formation. Probably a reference to the canopy of water
(Gen. 1:6-7), the seas (Gen. 1:10), and the water
in the "fountains of the deep," which we
see at Genesis 7:11.
C. 1656 years after Adam was created, that physical world
(antediluvian), was destroyed in the flood of Genesis 6-8.
2 Peter 3:6
1. through which: plural relative pronoun. This is a reference
to all the water that was just mentioned in those 3 places.
2. the world at that time: The days of Noah as Jesus put
it at Matthew 24:37.
3. was destroyed: aorist middle indicative of
apollumi.
4. Being flooded with water: katakludzo as an aorist passive
participle. This incorporated the waters from above and below as at Genesis 7:11, as well as the obvious
contribution from the water that was already there.
D. The mockers of verse 4 are thus exposed as being ignorant
of several items.
1. God's word created the universe.
2. God destroyed the world by a flood.
3. God's word is maintaining the present universe
4. God is moving His plan toward a future judgment of both the universe and all unbelievers.
5. So in view of their ignorance, their skepticism is
understandable, but not excusable.
6. And they have no business commenting on Divine timing,
purpose and policy when they are ignorant and unreceptive to the reality of His sovereignty and power.
7. If they continue in their spiritual rebellion, they
will be viewed as without excuse (Romans 1:18-20) and continue to have
the wrath of God abide upon them (John 3:36).
10. Orientation to divine timing concerning
the future: 2 Peter 3:7-9
A. While the earth has been judged before, the solar system
(heavens) in which the earth exists has not.
B. The post-diluvian earth is our current one (verse 7),
and is held in is current status by the power of God's
word.
1. The earth is no longer filled with water as it once
was, for most of the water remained on the surface
after the flood.
2. Instead, the earth is filled with fire which causes
a heat and gas build up that applies pressures on the earth's outer crust.
3. The gas build up and the heat is currently attacking
the earth's surface causing volcanos and earthquakes
that threaten to break or blow the planet to pieces.
4. But God's power is holding everything together in the
person of Jesus Christ (Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3) until
the perfect time in His plan.
C. That perfect timing in God's plan is just before the
great white throne judgment of Revelation 20:11-15
(2 Peter 3:7).
1. The present heavens and earth: establishes without
question the subject that is in view.
2. by the same word: The word of God of verse 5, which
is actually the reincarnate (before He became a man)
God (John 1:1-3; Hebrews 1:2, 10; Col. 1:16; 1 Cor.
8:6).
3. is being reserved: thāsauridzo, as a perfect passive
participle plus the present indicative of eimi (the "to
be" verb) indicates that they are in the status
of having an appointment that cannot be broken except
by the one who made it (God).
4. for fire: locative case of the indirect object to indicate
the nature of the appointment.
5. being kept: This is a present passive participle of
tāreo, to indicate the means by which the appointment
will be kept.
6. unto the day of judgment: the preposition
eis, indicates
the time when this appointment will be fulfilled. It is at the time of the day of judgment, which is consistently referred to
in Scripture as the time when unbelievers will appear before God for evaluation
and the assignment of their eternal destinies (Romans 2:16; Rev. 20:11-15).
7. And the destruction: the word apoleia refers to the
spiritual ruin that occurs when a person is thrown into the lake of fire. This word does not mean destruction as in
"annihilation." But rather, the destruction of
QUALITY of life so that one's existence is now characterized
by pain and misery (Rev. 14:10-11). This is the second
death, the lake of fire, Revelation 20:14-15.
8. of un-worshipping men: The word is
asebes, which is
an adjective that describes someone as NOT bending
in worship. Thus, the idea of rebellion against God
or "ungodly."
This refers to someone who has never trusted in the Messianic
promise, that God sent the the Savior to pay for sins,
and whoever trusts in Him receives forgiveness of sins,
and everlasting life with God (John 3:16; Acts 26:18; 16:31).
These are described at 2 Thes. 2:10-12 as ones who "did not receive
the love of the truth so as to be saved," and "who did not believe
the truth."
9. See Topic: JUDGMENT:
Lake of Fire
D. Man, using human viewpoint is not aware of God's time
table and that 1000 years to humanity is nothing to
God - it is like a day (2 Peter 3:8). This statement
is not designed as a system for evaluating the time and history of the
human race, as though for every 1000 years of human history, it is a DAY
in God's plan.
There is no indication anywhere that such a "formula" is intended.
Rather, it is a simple comparison between finite man and
the infinite God; temporal man and eternal God. Man thinks that 1000 years is a terribly long time, but to God it is simply a
"drop in the bucket." And the progress of
human history; of life and death through all the many
years, is not so much that God loses track or interest
in what is going on - but indeed, has a very specific plan
that "desires all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:4).
E. Another reason for the delay is that millions of unbelievers
will die in the second advent judgments (trumpets and bowls), and at the end of the millennium. But this is not what God really
wants to happen (1 Timothy 2:4). 2 Peter 3:9
1. God is not slow about His promise: this counters the
impatience and accusations of the mockers.
2. As some evaluate slowness: This refers to human viewpoint
that does not consider the wisdom and love of God.
3. But he is patient: This is a present active indicative
of makrothumeo, which means to be long before one
expresses the negative passion of anger.
4. Toward you: This is directed to the mockers specifically,
but in general applies to all unbelievers.
5. Not willing: this is a present middle participle of
boulomai, which means to desire or have intent. The negative in front of the verb indicates that God DOES WANT
all people to respond to Him in a positive way.
6. For anyone to perish: the verb is apollumi as an aorist
active infinitive, and refers to the last judgment that was mentioned at verse 7. It is the word used for undergoing
the penalty of God's justice (John 3:16; 1 Cor. 1:18; 2 Cor. 4:3). Paul writes of God at 1 Timothy 2:4, that He "desires
all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." Accordingly, God will do everything within HIS POWER, to
bring about His desire, except that He cannot and will not make anyone THINK what they do not want to think. That
means that God always honors the free will of every person so that "whoever wants" can be saved (Rev.
22:17).
7. but for all to come to repentance: the noun, metanoia
refers to a change of mind, which must take place
for anyone to trust in Christ as Savior. Repentance
and faith are ALMOST the same thing, but not quite.
a. Repentance is the change of mind that LEADS to faith,
but is not identical to faith. Mark 1:15 summarizes the message
of Jesus, "repent and believe in the gospel." And Paul's summary of his own ministry explains it perfectly at
Acts 20:21, "testifying to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ."
b. The verb, come, is choreo as an aorist active
infinitive, and means to have room for. In this case, the issue is having room in your soul for a change of mind
toward God.
11. The destruction of the 2nd earth and its
solar system is described at 2 Peter 3:10.
A. The day of the Lord: The period of time that begins
at the return of Jesus in the clouds of the sky (Joel
2:30-31; Mat. 24:29-30) at some unknown time (Mat. 24:44) after the midpoint of Daniel's 70th week (2
Thes. 2:1-3). It is announced through the signs in the sun, moon and stars (Joel 2:30-31; Mat.24:29; Rev.6:12-17), which is portrayed
at the 6th seal, and is characterized by God's judgment upon the unbelieving world and the kingdom of the beast
via the trumpet and bowl judgments of the book of The Revelation in preparation for the Messiah's 1000-year reign upon the
earth.
The Day of the Lord extends AT LEAST through the 45 days
of evaluation that follows Armageddon, because this also involves great judgment (Ezekiel 34:17-22). But there is question
whether or not it extends to the end of the Millennium
and even to the last judgment at the great white throne,
at which time all unbelievers will be thrown into
the lake of fire (Rev. 20:11-15).
B. Will come like a thief: this is the image first taught
by Jesus at Matthew 24:43-44, and found with Paul at 1 Thes.
5:2, which would be Peter's frame of reference (2 Peter
3:15-16). It communicates unexpectedness, but within
a certain context.
1. Jesus talks about not knowing "what hour of the
night" the thief would come, and in the context of his teachings clarified that we can know when the
season (summer) for His coming is near, but we cannot know the day or hour (Matthew 24:32-36).
Later, the book of The Revelation records, "Behold, I
am coming like a thief," (Rev. 16:15).
2. The "season" for the return of Jesus is when
the man of lawlessness is reigning and administrating his wrath and Satan's wrath toward God and God's people
during the tribulation (Matthew 24:9-29; 2 Thes. 2:1-4; Rev. 12:7-12).
C. in which: this is the preposition, en + the
instrumental case, to indicate mechanics; by means of.
1. It could also be rendered, "in the sphere of"
by viewing the word as in the locative case (both
case functions have the same form in the Greek).
2. However, I suggest that because of verse 12, which
reads, "THROUGH which" (the day of God), and is
very clearly a MECHANICS issue, that the case of the
noun here at verse 10 was intended to be instrumental.
3. Thus, this is saying that by means of or because of
or through - - the day of the Lord, the heavens and earth are going to be destroyed. However, it cannot be determined
by this whether the Day of the Lord extends to the
destruction of the old earth or ends at the start of the millennial kingdom.
4. This is probably what is referenced at Rev. 20:11,
as having occurred in connection with the last judgment.
For it says, "And I saw a great white throne
and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth
and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them.
The image of "fleeing away" communicates a disappearance,
which is what happens when the fire of God's power
LOOSES (destroys) them.
D. the heavens: the same heavens mentioned at verse 7,
that are being kept for the day of judgment.
E. shall pass away: the verb is parerchomai as a future
middle indicative to indicate a yet future event to take place at the time that Jesus sits on the great
white throne (Rev. 20:11).
F. with a great noise: roidzedon means a loud wind or
a rush of wings. Here and at verse 12, we are told
that this occurs through an act of burning that will
melt the very physical elements that are the foundation
for the structure of the universe. The great noise
is simply the audible side to the destruction, which
is of such suddenness and force to cause a loud wind-like
noise.
G. and the elements: stoicheia refers to something that
is the foundational essence of something. Colossians
1:17 tells us the Jesus Christ holds all things together, and that would include these foundational elements of
the universe that will be destroyed by Him as well.
H. will be destroyed: this is luo as a future passive
indicative which means to be loosed (let go). Rev.
20:11, says that they FLEE from the face of Jesus. This would be the effect
of the intense heat producing a great noise and sending
the physical elements off into nothingness (for no
place was found for them).
I. with intense heat: the Greek has only one word. It
is a present passive participle of kausoo, which means
to consume something with HEAT. The participle is instrumental to indicate the means by which the loosing takes place, and should read,
by being heated, to reflect the passive voice. At verse 12, it reads "melt"
by being heated, using the very same participle.
J. And the earth: the specific planet earth, in contrast
with the stars and planets of the outer universe.
K. And its works: the Greek word is ergon and refers to
something that someone accomplishes or produces. The WORKS of the earth refers to everything and everyone on
it. But since "everyone" is dealt with on a different level (spiritual judgment), this should probably be
seen as referring just to all the physical things on the planet.
L. will be discovered: There are different readings in
the manuscript evidence for this word. The word, "discovered"
is in the oldest of those manuscripts. One of the
techniques for evaluating which reading is most likely the original, is
the principle that "the more difficult reading is most likely the
original."
Since the word, "discovered" is the most difficult
to understand, it is the one that is most likely to
have been altered or changed altogether. We thus accept it as original (being supported by
Sinaiticus, B, K, P and a few minuscules). The majority reading has the verb, "shall be burned," and this
poses no problem for the interpretation at all. But
again, this is what the verb "discovered"
would be more likely changed to, rather than the other
way around.
What then is the meaning of this verb, "discovered,"
in this context? The verb is heurisko as a future
passive indicative. In the active voice, it basically
means to find or to discover. In the passive voice,
the idea is to be found, found out, discovered, exposed.
This then is what will happen when the justice of
God destroys the physical earth so that all of its
physical weakness will be exposed (which includes
the things of the sin and the curse. The idea is as expressed at Hebrews 12:27, "the removal of those things that CAN BE
SHAKEN." Thus, they are exposed and discovered as "able to be shaken," and will thus be destroyed.
This would include the final judgment on
sin, which casts all spiritual rebels into the lake of fire for all eternity.
This is why the destruction of the physical universe occurs in such close
connection with the last judgment (2 Peter 3:7; Rev. 20:11).
M. This judgment on the physical universe is too complete
to be connected with the trumpet or bowl judgments
that do damage to the earth, sun, moon and stars.
Furthermore, verse 7 makes it clear that this is talking
about the destruction that occurs at the last judgment.
N. Of course, this destruction is followed by the creation
of a New heavens and earth that will reflect the perfection of God's creation
for all eternity (Rev. 21:4).
12. The reality of this future activity by God should
elicit from the believer a specific grace attitude and action.
2 Peter 3:11
A. Since: this word comes from the concessive use of the
participle (destroyed) and communicates that the nature of the case should promote the attitude that the earth and its production
are temporal and not of eternal value (Heb.12:27).
B. all these things: reference to the physical world and
the physically inadequate things of that world, including
the manifestation of sin through both man and fallen
angels.
C. are to be destroyed in this way: the verb is luo as
a present passive participle (concessive participle, which is the basis for the translation - since.)
All the temporal things will be discovered (exposed) AS temporal
and of no eternal value. And the believer who understands
this, should then change his viewpoint toward all
the "physical" and "material" things of the world,
and instead, focus more consistently on promoting
the things of God.
D. What sort of people ought you to be: this is an interrogative
adjective of quality PLUS the obligatory particle,
dei (it is necessary - followed by an infinitive) PLUS the verb huparcho
as a present active infinitive (which means to exist),
with YOU as the subject. Thus, the CT = "of what quality is it necessary
for you to be existing?"
Peter brought this out in his first letter without
an "end times" focus (1 Peter 1:13-17 and 2:11 -
3:8).
But the Christian life is to be lived the same no matter what
time in history a person may live in.
"And if you address as Father, the one who impartially
evaluates
according to each man's works, conduct yourselves in REVERENCE
during the time of your stay upon the earth" (1 Peter 1:17).
"Beloved, I exhort you as aliens and strangers
to abstain from the fleshly lusts (of the sin nature)
which wage war against the soul" (1 Peter 2:11).
E. In holy conduct: this is the preposition, EN, to indicate
the sphere of character that the believer should be
living within. The adjective, HOLY, describes a quality
of life that is UNIQUE because it reflects the character
of God (love and righteousness). See 1 Peter 1:15-16,
"You shall be holy for I am holy."
The word, conduct, is anastrophe and refers basically
to one's way of life. In this case, it should reflect God's righteousness.
F. And godliness: the word is eusebeia, which means good
worship. It reflects the attitude and action that recognizes God as the creator and the source of every
thing we need for our life here on earth. It is thus, living under the umbrella and NAME of Christ, and refers
to anything that would be "distinctively" Christian.
2 Peter 3:12
A. looking for: The verb is prosdokao, which means to
expectantly anticipate or look forward to something, and is used only here with the return of Jesus as the object. It occurs as a present
active participle, which communicates an ongoing, continuous attitude of looking FORWARD to the arrival of Jesus. This
is not a word for imminence, but for anticipation.
CT = "expectantly anticipating," or simply,
"looking forward to."
B. And hastening: This verb is speudo, which means to
be zealous about something, to exert oneself, be industrious
and to strive for. Since there is nothing that the
believer can do to HURRY the return of Jesus, as it
will come in the Father's own perfect timing (1 Timothy 6:15), this means
to be diligent in living in view of and promoting
the return of Jesus. That includes not only giving
the gospel, but also warning believers of the need to be prepared
for the return of Jesus at the day of the Lord. This verb is also a present active participle to indicate continuous activity
so that we have, "and diligently promoting."
C. the coming of the day of God: the word, coming, is
parousia, which means to be (or exist) beside or AT
THE SIDE of something or someone. This word is used
13 times in the epistles and overtime refers to the
ONE and only second coming of Jesus for His church.
But in that connection, it is described as a visible,
physical presence of Jesus in the sky with GLORY. This word
also occurs four times in Matthew 24 to refer to the very same second coming as an unexpected event (any day or hour)
within the context of the SEASON of the tribulation (Matthew 24:3, 27, 37, 39).
D. The day of God: This is the only place this term occurs,
and it is clearly used as a synonym for the day of
the Lord in verse 10. We know this because of the
context in each verse, which is the destruction of
the universe.
E. There is another term that is used only 3 times and
only in Philippians. It is The day of Christ, which
occurs at Phil. 1:6; 1:10; and 2:16. It also refers
to the very same parousia of Jesus in the clouds of
the sky, when He will gather together all the Christians.
There is no STATED reason for using these different terms. At the same
time, the use of these three terms does provide a certain understanding
concerning WHO is involved at the second coming. This then identifies "the
Lord" with "God" and with "Christ." But NOT to
make a statement concerning Christ's deity, but rather to indicate that
BOTH God the Father and the Son are actively involved
with the second coming and the events that will occur
at that event. At Revelation 6:16-17, BOTH the Father and
the Son are in view as the world dreads the impending wrath and judgment.
"Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him
who sits on the throne,
AND from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of
THEIR wrath has come;
and who is able to stand?"
F. Because of which: this is the preposition, dia Plus
the accusative case of the relative pronoun (which),
and indicates the cause or means by which something
occurs. It is this construction that convinces me
that the case with EN at verse 10 should be viewed
as instrumental (by means of which).
G. the heavens: The physical universe outside the earthly
atmosphere.
H. will be destroyed: this is the verb LUO again, as a
future passive indicative, which means either to "let
loose" or destroy, but both ideas communicate
the ENDING of the present physical state.
I. by burning: this is the verb puroo as a present middle
participle, and means to be burned by fire. Whereas, kausoo, which occurs next and in verse 10, means to be consumed by
HEAT.
There is no significant difference except that the FIRE is directed against the universe, and the HEAT is directed against
the foundational elements.
J. and the elements: stoicheia, as above in verse 10,
the foundational elements of the physical universe.
K. will melt: the verb tako, means to melt or dissolve.
It occurs as a future passive indicative and indicates
a cessation of existence.
L. by intense heat: The verb, kausoo is repeated as a
present passive participle, to indicate a total dissolution of the foundational structure of the physical universe so that nothing
is left. It literally reads, "by being heated."
As mentioned earlier, this is exactly what the language at Revelation 20:11 indicates, when we see that the physical universe "fled"
from from the face of Jesus and "there was no place found for them,"
which indicates that they were no more.
M. It has been suggested that this language is symbolic
and that there will not be any real PHYSICAL fire and heat. My answer is
that the language uses specific terms (such as MELT, HEAT, BURNING) that
are UNNECESSARY in a symbolic context, and therefore establish the LITERALNESS
of this physical destruction.
N. It has also been suggested that this destruction only
refers to a "breaking down" of the structure rather than an annihilation
of the very atoms involved. To me, this is a moot point and has no bearing
on the reality of the event one way or the other.
13. The creation of the new:
A. 2 Peter 3:13
1. But: de serves as a mild transition (now).
But it still provides a contrast between the destruction of the
universe, and God's plan for "eternity" afterwards.
2. According to his promise: reference to Isaiah 65:11
and 66:22, which looks directly to Messiah's kingdom on earth, but has
application to the new earth created after the Great White Throne judgment.
3. We are looking: prosdokao as a present active indicative
means to be expecting and anticipating. The functional believer is occupied
with the character and plan of God so that he is "excited"
about the advance of that plan. Of course, for the
church, that promise will be realized when we receive
resurrection bodies. Romans 8:18-25 relates the expectation of receiving
a resurrection body to the removal of the curse upon
the physical creation. The resurrection body is received
immediately at the return of Jesus, but the "initial"
new earth and heavens are not realized until He sets
up His earthly kingdom, and the "final" renovation does not occur until after that earthly kingdom is
completed.
4. New heavens and earth: that which follows the destruction
as already mentioned by Peter. But as already suggested, this "promise"
involves three phases (1) the RESURRECTION phase, (2) the KINGDOM phase,
and (3) the ETERNAL phase.
5. In which righteousness dwells: no unrighteousness,
no darkness viewpoint and influence; no sin, no evil, etc.
a. The foretaste of this "righteous reign" occurs
during the Millennial earth in Palestine through the righteous reign of
Christ.
b. But during that time there will still be sin and the
influence of darkness viewpoint even though Satan is bound.
c. Total removal of sin and total promotion of divine
righteousness is not fully realized until after the Great White throne.
B. It is best to view this as taking place after the Great
White Throne, for it is not until then that all enemies are put under Christ's feet and every tongue acknowledges His sovereignty.
1 Corinthians 15:24-26
"then {comes} the end, when He delivers up the kingdom
to the God and Father,
when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power.
For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.
The last enemy that will be abolished is death."
C. Thus, at the conclusion of the millennial kingdom,
the process of destroying the old includes -
1. The removal of the old heavens and earth: Hebrews 12:26-27;
2 Peter 3:7-12; Revelation 20:11.
2. The removal of all unbelievers from God's presence
and their placement in the lake of fire at the Great White throne. Revelation
20:11-15; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Rev. 14:9-11
D. The creation of the new begins with a completed resurrection
program prior to the destruction of the universe. ICor. 15:23-24
The stages to the resurrection program are seen as a single event "at
His coming," but Scripture makes it clear that there are three phases
to the resurrection of the righteous.
1. Those at the rapture: Old testament believers and the
church.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; Ephesians 2:11-20; Rev. 21:9-14
2. Martyred believers at the end of the Day of the Lord
judgments. Revelation 20:4b
3. All others at the end of the millennial kingdom (not
mentioned, but an obvious event).
E. It is finalized after the Great White Throne in two
stages.
1. Creation of the new physical universe. Rev. 21:1
2. Establishment of the eternal DIVINE authority structure
according to I Corinthians 15:28.
F. Description of the New Universe:
1. There is no description of the new earth except the
brief statement at Revelation 21:1, "and there is no longer a sea."
This might indicate that the new earth will be primarily land.
If there are to be any bodies of water, they would
be lakes and rivers. The idea of "no sea"
does not exclude lakes and rivers, but we have no
further information.
HOWEVER: What about this idea of
"sea?"
When a person dies he goes to hades and is a partaker of death.
So at Rev. 20:13, at the last judgment, when death and hades give up the
dead that are in them it is referring to the same place.
Death is the CONDITION of the people (spiritual death - NOT physical), and
hades is the PLACE of the people.
There is no place in the bible that indicates that SOME go to hades and
SOME go into the sea when they die physically. Those who actually die in
the SEA, still go to hades, because that is the HOUSE of the soul of the
unbeliever (the one who is spiritually dead - Eph. 2:1, “dead in sins”) at
death.
What then of the idea that the “sea gave up the dead that were in it” -
This happens at the end of the millennial kingdom.
The Great White Throne judgment is the final disposition of all
unbelievers.
At the end of the millennial kingdom, there are two classifications of
unbelievers (1) those who have PHYSICALLY died and are in hades, and (2)
those who have NOT physically died and are still on the earth, within the
“sea” of the human population.
The “dead” of hades who are brought up are the SPIRITUALLY dead, and the
“dead” who are in “the sea” are the SPIRITUALLY dead.
All these people are judged by their works because they have rejected
God’s imputed righteousness which is given to them by trusting in Christ
as Savior. So they have to rely upon their own righteousness, which is
like filthy rags and totally unacceptable to God, thus they come up short
on righteousness and cannot be accepted by God. Furthermore, because their
name is not in the book of life, which is sealed there when a person
trusts in Christ, they have two strikes against them (1) no righteousness
that is acceptable to God and (2) not in the book of life. Thus God
rejects them and tosses them into the lake, “depart from me, I never knew
you,” (Mat. 7:23). And I guess you could say that when God rejects them,
that is the 3rd strike and they get to spend eternity “struck out” in the
lake of fire.
But, has been suggested that the SEA at Rev. 20:3 is not the literal sea
of water. This might be difficult to see, but it seems reasonable to me.
Furthermore, at rev. 13:1, we have a beast that comes up out of the sea.
Now in the vision that John sees, there is an actual beast type creature
coming up out of the WATER, HOWEVER, in the actual fulfillment, the beast
ruler (and/or kingdom) does NOT come up out of the body of water known as
the sea, but comes up out of something that is in contrast to the LAND,
which is from where the 2nd beast comes. It seems therefore, that the
“sea” and the “land” in this context are symbolic of something. It is
suggested that the “land” is symbolic of Palestine (thus, one of Jewish
lineage), from where the false prophet comes (the false messiah), and that
the “sea” is symbolic of the world in general (thus, a Gentile), from
where the first beast comes.
There is no warning given us of this symbolism, but it is obvious that
these rulers do not rise up out of the GROUND and out of the WATER.
This then sets a precedent for the possibility that when sea is mentioned
at Rev. 20 and 21, that it too might be symbolic. In fact, symbolic of the
same thing - the general collection of humanity living on the earth.
The idea then at Rev. 20:13, is that the multitude of living humanity in
general (alive at the end of the millennial kingdom) are in view, and that
the DEAD (spiritually dead) of that group are brought before the throne.
And then at Rev. 21:1, no longer any SEA, might very well simply be
telling us that there is no longer a “collection” of living humans
existing on the earth because they have all been taken care of (1)
believers to the new Jerusalem for all eternity and (2) unbelievers (the
dead) to the lake for all eternity.
In regard to the PHYSICAL sea that is in view as at Rev. 16:3, and 8:8-9,
and 7:1-3, the context tells us that this is indeed describing a PHYSICAL
judgment on the physical body of water known as the sea. The use of sea
and land at Rev. 10:2, 5 is probably to indicate authority to judge over
both land and sea (ie, the whole earth). As well as at 12:12, which will
feel the wrath of Satan.
And again, there is no WARNING or SIGN given to us to help us see a CLEAR
difference between the symbolic use of sea and the literal use of sea
EXCEPT the context and linguistic logic. At Rev. 13, there is no LOGIC to
seeing a literal sea; nor is there at Rev. 20:13. Rev. 21:1 is trickier,
but its understanding would be based on the usage at v. 20:13 - thus
symbolic. There is no reason, no logic to tell us that there is no longer
any PHYSICAL sea either in the old earth or the new earth.
2. There is no information about the new heavens. The
only thing we have is a description of the new Jerusalem, which will apply
to it both during the kingdom and the eternal state.
G. The way of life in the new universe is described at
Revelation 21:1-8. Although this describes life in the new Jerusalem, it
is that life that will be characteristic throughout
all eternity. There is no information or hint of what
the purpose of the new earth and heavens might be, so it is best to leave
it to the adventure of discovery when we are there.
See study on
the New Jerusalem by Pentecost.
14. Discussion of the chronology of Revelation 19-22.
Chapter 19, 20 and 21:1-8 are chronological bringing us to the eternal
state that begins at 21:1 and describes that eternal
state in the new Jerusalem at verses 2-8. Then at 21:9
through 22:5, the description of the New Jerusalem continues
but with a different focus. Here, life in the new Jerusalem
is related to the life of non-resurrected humanity living
on the earth during the millennial kingdom. The "retrospect"
idea for verses 22:9-22:5 is not unusual for the book
of The Revelation, for we see the same thing in other
chapters. For example, chapters 12 and 13 back up to the
midpoint of the week and move forward from there.
On this chronological issue, Walter Scott wrote:
"The eighth verse of chapter 21 should have concluded
chapter 20. Then verse 9 of chapter 21 should have begun that chapter and
closed with verse 5 of chapter 22. The remaining 16 verses of the Apocalypse
might have formed the concluding chapter." (Exposition of the book
of Revelation, pages 416-17).
There are two other views held by noted
premillennialists.
1. Those who see 21:9 though 22:7 as describing the actual
millennial kingdom.
2. Those who think that the same passage describes the
eternal state.
The truth is just in between, for the passage describes
life FOR THE RESURRECTED ones who are living in the New Jerusalem which
is their eternal state. And it relates that existence with what is happening
on the earth during the millennial kingdom.
J. Dwight Pentecost wrote:
"The survey of the arguments on the question as to
whether Revelation 21:9 to 22:5 belongs to the millennium or in the eternal
state has revealed a wide divergence of opinion, supported by sound arguments
both for and against both positions. The study has led to the conclusion
that the mistake lies in trying to establish an either-or proposition.
A mediating view, that the eternal state of the resurrected during the
millennium is seen in the passage, is suggested as a better view. When
the occupants of the city are described it must be seen that they are in
their eternal state, possessing their eternal inheritance, in eternal relationship
with God who has tabernacled among them. There will be no change in their
position of relation whatsoever. When the occupants of the earth are described
they are seen in the millennial age. They have an established relationship
to the heavenly city which is above them, in whose light they walk. Yet
their position is not eternal nor unchangeable, but rather millennial"
(Things to Come, page 580).
15. Exhortation to righteous living: 2 Peter 3:14-16
Verse 14
1. Therefore beloved: introduces a conclusion based on
faith anticipation of God's fulfillment of his promises
2. Since we look: prosdokao (present active participle),
since we are expectantly anticipating God's fulfillment of his plan. But
for us, the fulfillment of that plan begins with the rapture.
3. for these things: refers to the second advent events
a. From his coming for us as a thief at the rapture, verse
10
b. To the establishment of the Messiah's kingdom
c. To the destruction of the old universe (Hebrews 12:26-27).
d. To the creation of the new universe, verse 13.
4. Be diligent: spoudadzo (aorist active imperative) means
to make every effort; to be diligent in promoting something. This is a word for dedication to spiritual value via growth and
fellowship and then application as we saw at verse 12.
5. To be found by Him: heurisko (aorist passive infinitive)
discovered when he appears.
6. In peace: eirānā means the
absence of enmity. It refers to the reality of the abundant life. It is
usually associated with joy, and both together result
in the confidence and inner stability that is seen
at 1 John 2:28.
7. spotless and blameless: these two words indicate the
basis for experiencing the peace of God in our soul.
a. aspilos: No human viewpoint pollution (knowledge accuracy)
b. amōmātos - No compromise in
character or behavior.
This is a Testimony and service issue. (irreproachable).
8. Spotless:
a. James 1:27, unspotted by the world is a reference to
being influenced by human viewpoint from the sin nature.
b. 1 Timothy 6:14, keep the commandment without stain
(used with a word that indicates character consistency in the testimony of life and word. The word is, anepilāmptos,
which also occurs at I Tim. 3:2 and 5:7.
c. spotless corresponds with purity of viewpoint indicated
by the word unmixed at Philip. 2:15 and Rom. 16:19 (Also at Philip. 2:15, the only other occurrence of amōmātos
is used to indicate consistency in testimony as at
2 Peter 3:14.
9. Blameless: in the sense of irreproachable in testimony.
There are five words which all mean basically the same thing.
a. anepilāmptos, which we saw above.
b. amōmātos: which occurs here and at Philippians
2:15
c. aproskopos: 3 times, Phil. 1:10; 1 Cor. 10:32; Acts 24:16
d. anegklātos: 4 times and means beyond accusation.
1 Timothy 3:10; Titus 1:6-7; Colossians 1:22-23;
(I Corinthians 1:8, refers to the believers status in union with Christ
and not quality of life here on earth.)
e. And, amomos: which occurs 7 times.
10. When Christ appears He will find a minimum amount
of divine viewpoint being proclaimed. The question is asked at Luke 18:8,
"However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find
THE faith on the earth?"
This applies to both the number of believers as well as
the number of functional believers (those who are being expectant and diligent
in promoting the truths of Christianity). This recognizes that there will
be a maximum amount of failure in both preparation and application. As
Jesus said at Olivet,
"And at that time many will fall away and will deliver
up one another and hate one another. . .
"And because lawlessness is increased, the love of many will grow
cold" (Matthew 24:10-12).
But the exhortation is still given so that living believers
might be confident and not shrink away from Him in shame at His presence
(1 John 2:28).
Preparation for the WORSE possibility of pressure, is
accomplished through spiritual growth (2 Peter 3:18)..
This is the only means for preparation once a person joins the family of
God through faith in Christ. And it is possible for the believer
to be "carried away by the error of unprincipled men," and to "fall from your own position of strength," (2
Peter 3;17).
There are two ways for mankind to be prepared for the
arrival of Jesus at the Day of the Lord.
SALVATION PREPARATION: This refers to those who have trusted
in Christ as savior and thus are secure in the family of God. Paul refers
to them at 1Thessalonians 5:4,
"But you brethren are not IN darkness, that the day
should overtake you like a thief."
In other words, because of their "positional"
union with Christ, they are IN THE LIGHT (Ephesians 5:8) and are called
at verse 5, "sons of light and of day." Accordingly, when the
"day" arrives, it will not be "sudden destruction"
for those who are believers in Jesus.
(See doctrinal development of SALVATION SECURITY)
However, if the believer is not "walking in the light"
then he will be "caught off guard" when Jesus returns and will
experience initial "shame" and remorse before Him at His presence.
Thus, the need for -
EXPERIENTIAL PREPARATION: This refers to being "in
fellowship" with God; Being a believer who is actively pursuing the
things of God; who is "walking in the light" as a growing and
productive believer and has no sin in his life. This is called "abiding
in Him" by John. Thus we have the warning given to us by John at 1
John 2:24-29.
1 John 2:28,
"And now, little children, abide in Him, so that
when He appears,
we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him
in shame at His coming."
This does not mean that the "out of fellowship"
believer will be left behind at the rapture but simply that his initial
reaction will be great shame and remorse. Later, at the justice seat of
Christ where all his works as a Christian will be evaluated, he will suffer
loss of reward for his times of unfaithfulness on earth. But he himself
will be saved.
1 Corinthians 3:10-15.
We have a similar warning given by Jesus at Luke 21:34-36,
"Be on guard, that your hearts may not be weighted
down with carousing and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day
come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell
on the face of all the earth. But keep on the alert at all times, praying
in order that you may have strength to escape all these things that are
about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."
1. Strength to escape: refers to endurance during the
specific time of tribulation which will begin at the mid-point of the 70th
week.
2. And to stand before the Son of Man: refers to "not
shrinking away from Him in shame at His appearing," as we saw at 1 Jn. 2:28. The emphasis, in view of the amplification in the New Testament,
is that the believer can stand before the Son either -
IN FELLOWSHIP with God (abiding in Him) and have initial
great joy (Jude verse 24).
OR The believer can stand before the Son
OUT OF FELLOWSHIP with God and experience great shame
and remorse.
At 1 Thessalonians 5:6-11, Paul continues by exhorting
the believers to "reflect" their "positional" union
with Christ "IN THE LIGHT" by living the Christian life not as
those who are "asleep" and in darkness.
The exhortation through all the New Testament is that
the believer should be living like a child of God and not like a child
of the darkness. This of course, takes growth and consistent volitional
decisions to apply the word of God to every area of your life. However,
if the believer fails to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ" he will fail to experience the true joy and
peace of the Christian life as well as fail to serve God as a faithful
ambassador for Christ. In such a condition, that believer will be "walking
in darkness," not abiding in Him, and will be unprepared for the events
of the tribulation and the arrival of Jesus.
Thus, in view of God's plan for a new heavens and earth,
which will begin with the return of Jesus at the day of the Lord, the believer
should be learning and using God's word so that he can -
"Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders,
making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace,
seasoned, {as it were,} with salt, so that you may know how you should
respond to each person" (Col. 4:5-6).
"So that you may prove yourselves to be blameless
and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked
and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,
holding fast the word of life" (Philip 2:15-16).
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BY WAY OF REVIEW AND SUMMARY
OBSERVATIONS:
The chronology of Rev. 20-21
1. The 1000 years begins
2. Satan is bound for 1000 years.
3. The saints reign on the earth for 1000 years.
4. Unbelievers will live during the 1000 years.
5. Thus, unrighteousness will exist during the 1000 years.
6. Unbelievers will die during and at the end of the 1000 years.
7. Satan is released after the 1000 years and then thrown in the lake of
fire.
8. The last judgment occurs after the 1000 years.
9. The earth and heaven “flee” from the face of Christ after the 1000 years.
10. The new heavens and earth exist because the OLD ones “passed away.”
11. After the 1000 years, Jesus makes “all things new.”
12. After the 1000 years there will be no more death.
OBSERVATIONS:
1. Revelation 21:1
Before the new heavens and earth are created the old ones PASS AWAY.
The Greek is aperchomai and simply means to pass off the scene.
At Rev. 20:11, it is said that they “flee,” which is pheugo and is
accurately translated.
2. 2 Peter 3:10 describes a TOTAL destruction of both the heavens and the
earth.
A. The heavens will PASS AWAY: parercomai indicates the idea of pass off the
scene.
B. The foundational elements will be destroyed by burning.
C. The earth and its works will be burned up.
D. The normal understanding of this is that there will be NOTHING LEFT of
the old.
At verse 11, the word DESTROYED is used to describe what will happen.
At verse 12, the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the foundational
elements will all melt with intense heat. (“will melt by being burned”).
Verse 13 indicates that there will be a new heavens and earth in
righteousness dwells AFTER the old ones are DESTROYED.
OBSERVATIONS:
1. The trumpet judgments of Revelation 8-9 do not describe a total
destruction of the heavens or the earth. The effects are upon only ONE THIRD
of the earth and of the heavens.
2. There are no “earth” or “heaven” judgments in the 5th and 6th trumpets of
Revelation 9.
3. After the “one-third” ruination of the earth through the trumpets, people
are still alive on the earth, still worshipping the beast, and the armies
will still gather to fight each other at Armageddon.
4. The NORMAL and LOGICAL comparison with 2 Peter 3 shows no similarities.
5. Even after the 7 bowl judgments the earth is not DESTROYED as is
described at 2Peter 3.
People are still alive, armies are moving. Even with the great earthquake of
bowl #7, the earth is still in existence and people are complaining to God
and blaspheming Him.
6. Armageddon occurs after the trumpet judgments (or if preferred, in
conjunction with the last ones and with the bowl judgments), and the earth
is not destroyed, but there is massive troop movement and Jesus confronts
various armies in Edom, in Jerusalem and at Megiddo.
OBSERVATIONS:
Isaiah 65:17-25
1. Although the TERM a new heavens and earth occurs here there is a big
difference from what is described in Revelation.
2. This is clearly talking about Messiah’s kingdom, which, although not
taught in the Old Testament, will be 1000 years in duration.
3. The context indicates a change in the land of Israel so that their will
be great health, longevity, national security, and agricultural prosperity.
4. The focus also seems to be restricted to Israel. Verse 18.
5. Children will be born and people will die.
6. There is no mention of any DESTRUCTION of the old heavens and earth.
7. The “former things” that will not be remembered refers to the national
troubles and discipline that came upon the nation throughout its history.
8. It involves some kind of “taming” of nature so that all the members of
the animal kingdom will live in harmony with one another.
(9. Hmmm - What about animals? Will they be in existence in eternity? Is
there to be a new earthly kingdom like the Jehovah’s witnesses teach?)
OBSERVATIONS:
Zechariah 14:16-19
1. This is talking about the 1000 year kingdom of Messiah.
2. It is AFTER the defeat of the nations in and around Jerusalem via the
Armageddon campaign.
3. Gentile nations will be required to send delegates to celebrate the feast
in Jerusalem.
If they do not go up, then they will be punished with BAD WEATHER.
This certainly does not sound like a “new earth” as it is described in
Revelation.
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