Waiting for new heavens and a new earth
"...according to His promise we are waiting for new heavens
and a new earth in which righteousness dwells."
(II Peter 3:14, ESV)
These new heavens and new earth will come into being following the visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ and after Jesus institutes His rule on this earth. Our Lord will judge the ungodly and Satan and then He will destroy the old heaven and earth.
God had originally created the heavens and earth and then gave them to Adam to rule, or to maintain dominion over them as steward or manager. Of course, as we read in Genesis, Eve was deceived with Adam joining in her deception sinned. Sin, then entered in both man's and the earth's experience.
The earth now, according to Paul (Romans 8:22), groans in anticipation for the day when God will judge Satan, Sin, and the ungodly. Even this earth longs for the day when the curse is lifted from it and it is restored to its original condition.
Peter told his readers that the "old heavens" will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat. At the same time it seems the "old earth" will also be burned up. We as believers are waiting for this day. This is our hope - Christ's return, the destruction of unrighteousness and the establishment of righteousness.
How about you? Are you expectantly waiting for the new heavens and the new earth that Christ will provide? Jesus Himself has promised them to us, you can truly count on them. What a day that will be!
Amen! Thanks for the encouraging reminder, Gregg! What glorious day it will be, indeed! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing this Gregg, it was so good to read.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
In answer to your question: YES!!!
ReplyDeleteWe're studying Revelation in our small group and it always makes me so excited for the coming of the Lord.
It just dawned on me as I read your post that not only are the martyrs who are waiting and crying out under the throne "how long Oh Lord, till you avenge our blood", that the earth is also groaning while it awaits judgment and redemption from the corruption of sin. Thanks for shaing that.