By The Word Of God

“For this they willfully forget, that there were heavens from of old, and an
earth compacted out of water and amidst water, by the word of God” (2
Peter 3:5).


The word spoken by God is very powerful. We know that in the beginning
God said, “‘Let there be light’ and there was light” (Genesis 1:3). Peter
makes this point about the earth when it was compacted out of water. By
God’s word He separated the sky from the earth and created a firmament on
the second day (Genesis 1:6-8). From this point everything else was brought
existence by God’s word. There are two other instances mentioned in 2 Peter
3 about God’s spoken word causing something to happen.


First, God’s word brought a flood on the earth that destroyed mankind.
Second Peter 3:5-6 says, “For this they willfully forget, that there were
heavens from of old, and an earth compacted out of water and amidst water,
by the word of God; by which means the world that then was, being
overflowed with water, perished.” The flood was brought on mankind by
God’s word.


Second, God’s word will destroy the earth. Second Peter 3:7 says, “But the
heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up
for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of
ungodly men.” One day God will speak and this earth and everything in it
will be destroyed. No one can possibly know when this is going to be
because “the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens
shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with
fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned
up” (2 Peter 3:10).


Peter’s conclusion to all of this is in vss. 11-14 which says, “Seeing that
these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye
to be in all holy living and godliness, looking for and earnestly desiring the
coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall
be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? But, according
to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth
righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for these things, give
diligence that ye may be found in peace, without spot and blameless in his
sight.” It is important that we live godly and look froward to that coming
day. It will be a horrifying time for those who are in sin but for God’s children
it will be a great day because they will now be able to behold that new
Heaven and new earth.


Some believe this new Heaven and earth will be a recreation or a purified
form of this earth. They think it will be a paradise on earth. However, if
everything is dissolved with fervent heat, how will there be an earth to still
be on? Those who believe in a paradise on earth truly have their heart in the
wrong place. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is there your heart will be
also” (Matthew 6:21). Our goal is far greater than any paradise on earth but
is set on that wonderful place called Heaven. This earth will never be a
paradise. It used to be but man sinned and now there is nothing but toil and
strife. As Christians, we must work through the hardships for a better life
than this one in that blessed home prepared for us.

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