Scripture to Read: 2 Peter 3:7–8
In 2 Peter 3:7, God had Peter begin to write about His judgment. We read that God plans to destroy both the heavens and the earth with fire. The fire of God will not only destroy the heavens and the earth, but this same fire will bring judgment and destruction on all of the ungodly. Jesus also spoke of heaven and earth passing away but that His Word would live forever in Matthew 24:35 and Luke 21:33. The good news is that God will create a new heaven and a new earth. God had Isaiah prophesy about the new heaven and new earth in Isaiah 65:17. Then God allowed John to see the new heaven and earth, and God had John record this in Revelation 21:1. Now, some would say God is simply going to make the current earth new, and He’ll make the current heavens new; but that is not what God’s Word says. God said that He would create a new heaven and new earth. The Hebrew word for “create” is “bara,” which means to “create out of nothing.” So, God is NOT remodeling the current earth and heaven, but He is creating a BRAND NEW heaven and earth that do not yet exist. Then, God had Peter remind us in 2 Peter 3:8, that God is not controlled by time because He is ETERNAL. God has always existed, and He will always be. Time is irrelevant to God; therefore, time does not control, guide, or constrain God. One day we’ll all enjoy life where time doesn’t matter.
Challenge & Application
· What did God teach you about His plan for the current heaven and earth?
· Knowing the current heaven and earth will one day be completely destroyed, what do you need to let go of to focus on Christ?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!