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| Volume 25 Number 11 November 2023 |
Page 8 |
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| Volume 25 Number 11 November 2023 |
Page 8 |
Billy Bland
While man will live forever, it will not be on the earth. In fact, Peter, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote that when Jesus comes again, the heavens and the earth shall be “burned up.” Peter stated:
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? (2 Peter 3:10-12 NKJV)
Would not even a casual reader of the above text understand the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up? Some, however, might ask, “But does not the context also mention a new heaven and a new earth?” Yes, it does. After saying the earth will be burned up when the Lord returns, Peter then said, “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). The new heavens and the new earth are used as a figure for describing the future dwelling of God’s people. They are used in both the Old and New Testament (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22).
The current dwelling place of God’s people serve as a figure of the future dwelling place eternally in (the third) heaven (Matthew 5:12; Philippians 3:20; Colossians 1:5; 1 Peter 1:4; et al), the “new heavens and new earth” figuratively represent the spiritual (not physical) dwelling place of the righteous. (cf., 1 Corinthians 15:48-54). This is one of the many examples in the Bible where physical symbols are used to illustrate spiritual concepts. (cf., 1 Corinthians 15:22, 45; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Hebrews 12:22-31; 1 Peter 2:5-9; 3:20-21; et al) (Moore)
Old Testament saints knew Heaven was the eternal home of the soul. King David knew his dead son could not return to him, but he could go to him. He said, “But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me” (2 Samuel 12:23). Obviously, David did not believe in a renovated earth. His son would not return to him on earth, but he would go to him. Abraham and his offspring knew they were strangers and pilgrims on earth, and they looked for a heavenly city. The writer of Hebrews stated:
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:13-16)
The Holy Spirit, through Paul, affirmed our eternal home is “in the heavens” and not here on earth. “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1). Since it is “eternal in the Heavens,” it will never be here upon the earth. Paul also said the Christian’s hope is “laid up for you in Heaven.” To the saints in Colosse, Paul said, “We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel” (Colossians 1:3-5). Since our hope is laid up for us in Heaven, it is not laid up for us on the earth. Jesus taught, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). Jesus contrasted Earth with Heaven.
The writer of Hebrews stated, “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 6:19-20). Our hope is “behind the veil” – where Jesus has entered (Heaven). Likewise, Paul stated that our affections should be on things which are above where Christ dwells. “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth…” (Colossians 3:1-5). Paul repeatedly contrasted the words above and Earth. The Christians’ affections and hopes are on the above and not on the Earth. Paul reminded Christians that a child of God’s citizenship is in Heaven where Christ is. “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).
Finally, attention is given to the fact that our living hope and our inheritance is laid up for us in Heaven. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5). Peter affirmed that the Christian’s inheritance is reserved in Heaven. The Christian looks forward to the time he will go to Heaven. There, he will be with God and with all of the redeemed from all ages. May we each so live that Heaven will be our eternal home (Matthew 25:31-46).
Works Cited
Moore, Kevin. “What is Meant by the New Heaven and the New Earth.” Moore Perspective. 5 Oct. 2016. 15 Oct. 2023. <https://kmooreperspective.blogspot.com/2016/10/what-is-meant-by-new-heavens-and-new.html>.
