Will God literally destroy the earth again?

[Matthehitmanhart]

Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
(2Pe 3:12-13)

Ever since man's refinement of petroleum, the elements of this earth have become totally polluted. I'm sure when the Lord returns, it will be over in the twinkling of an eye. Every element will be completely transformed with fervent heat into a totally new heaven and earth, like in the days of the garden of Eden.

There are two things that I find interesting about 2 Peter 3:

1) Peter compares the purging judgment that will befall the earth at the second coming with that of the flood, saying "the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water." Now, someone reading that in the manner of a post-Enlightenment literalist would reply, "C'mon Peter, we all know that the earth didn't perish at the flood, it was just purged. We still live on the same earth!" But such a person would be missing Peter's point. Seeing that he compares the fiery judgment of the end of the age with the flood of old, it would be just as wrong of us to suppose that the destruction which Peter envisions will be comprehensive. Rather, just like the flood, it makes the most sense that it would be a purging, renovating judgment, and not a complete annihilation.

2) The word translated "melt" in v. 10 and "dissolved" in v. 11 and 12 literally means "to loose" or "be undone", and (if we trust the NU) the word rendered "burned up" in v. 10 by the NKJV and other translations (κατακαίω) is actually a mistake and should be the word τραχηλίζω, which would be translated "laid bare" or lit. "found". Again, this accords nicely with the picture Paul paints in 1 Corinthians 3:11-14, where only the works that are not done unto God (metaphorically called "wood, hay, straw") are destroyed in that day, and all those that are performed on the foundation of Christ ("gold, silver, precious stones") last into the age to come. Like I said, the fire is a fire of testing, a refiners fire (cf. Mal 3:2-3).

[BroRog]

On the other hand . . .

In 1Corinthians 15 Paul describes our resurrection in terms of an ontological transformation, comparing the earthly with the heavenly in order to answer his rhetorical question, "what kind of body will we have?" In summary, he says that our resurrected body will be different both in kind and quality such that there will essentially be a change in the physical laws of the universe. In Romans 8, he also says that the creation itself was subjected to futility (entropy?) only to be transformed and glorified with the saints. It seems to me, if I understand Paul's view of things, there isn't going to be much of the current physics left. Will we still live on a celestial sphere in orbit around the sun?

[mattlad22]

The new heaven and the new earth will not be presented until death and hades the last judged, is cast into the fire.

"Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea."

Still sounds like an earth just a different earth all brand new.

[strongwatchman]

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.

Behold, I make all things new

I believe God will wipe out the natural universe including the thermodynamic laws that it follows. He will establish a new cosmos that is untainted by traces of sin and history.

[strongwatchman]

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.

Behold, I make all things new

I believe God will wipe out the natural universe including the thermodynamic laws that it follows. He will establish a new cosmos that is untainted by traces of sin and history.

[divaD]

The new heaven and the new earth will not be presented until death and hades the last judged, is cast into the fire.

"Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea."

Still sounds like an earth just a different earth all brand new.

2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Let's look at this verse. When Christ returns, will or will there not be righteousness dwelling in the earth? If the answer is the former, then take notice that this righteousness dwelling in the earth is directly linked to the new heavens and a new earth.

Now, if there is still 1000 years and a little season remaining, then death is destroyed in the LOF, then the new heavens and a new earth, how then did righteousness dwell in the earth when Christ returned, since the new heavens and new earth happen much later, and that that is linked to the new heavens and a new earth? I don't know about other premils, but I can certainly see where the non premils have valid points sometimes.

[mattlad22]

2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Let's look at this verse. When Christ returns, will or will there not be righteousness dwelling in the earth? If the answer is the former, then take notice that this righteousness dwelling in the earth is directly linked to the new heavens and a new earth.

Now, if there is still 1000 years and a little season remaining, then death is destroyed in the LOF, then the new heavens and a new earth, how then did righteousness dwell in the earth when Christ returned, since the new heavens and new earth happen much later, and that that is linked to the new heavens and a new earth? I don't know about other premils, but I can certainly see where the non premils have valid points sometimes.

Diva, Peter is speaking of the new heavens and the new earth presented after the last judgement.
The final judgement does not occur until after the 1000 years, there is death at the end of the 1000 years, how can there be death if death was already cast into the fire?

Why wouldnt the righteous dwell on the earth? He has willed it, He has said it, it shall be done.

"I saw the souls of those who were beheaded for thier witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshipped the beast or his image, and had not recieved his marks on their foreheads or on thier hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first ressurection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first ressurection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priest of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years."

So they are resurrected at His second coming. They have no part with death for through Him they are made priest of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years
So if this happens when He returns, they are raised and reign with Him a thousand years, but yet, He presents to you this of His word following those thousand years.

"Now when the thousand years have expired Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to decieve the nations, which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle whose number is as the sand of the sea. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. The devil, who decieved them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimestone where the beast and false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever."

So after Christ coming there is still death, it has not been cast into the fire. "fire from God out of heaven devoured them"

The next verses describe the second ressurection and final judgement's. Death and Hades being the last to be cast into the lake of fire, death at this point is completely finished and will never occur again.

Now go to the next verses after the judgement verses. What happens as He describes? New Jerusalem is presented out of heaven from God, on the new heaven and the new earth and who also dwells within? my Father, who from heaven after the thousand years devoured those gathered together surrounding the camp of the saints and the beloved city.

"Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be thier God. And God will wipe away every tear from thier eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

"I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple."

Further read verse 21:22 onwards, when death is cast to the fire, God my Father and my Lord Jesus Christ shall dwell with me.

Many say by saying death will be present after Christ's return i am defiling God, but who are you? Why do you say it is not so when He says "It is done, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beggining and the end"
He says death is still present in His reign during the thousand years, why do you go againts Him, if death does not happen, He would say it doesnt, and He does for His saints.
"Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first ressurection. Over such the second death has no power"
Christ has all authority of the Father and sits at His right hand presently, when all things are put under Him, death being the last He shall give all things back to the Father and we shall all be together, forever and ever.

Glory to God, Glory to the Lord Jesus the Christ forever and ever.
Amen.

Grace to you and peace be with you in God and the Lamb Jesus Christ.

[Cyberseeker]

The greek word for "elements" in this verse is "stoichen". It doesn't mean elements like atoms, gold, metal, ect. Everytime it is used in the NT it means elementary principles or laws. Peter was speaking of the impending melting away of Judaism elements, not the earth elements.

It can mean either/or.

However, nowhere in the NT is it used in the same context as the previous destruction of the Earth. (except in this case) So, the context tells us it is referring to the planet. Also, the description 'fervent heat' fits the destruction of earthly elements.

[Cyberseeker]

2) The word translated "melt" in v. 10 and "dissolved" in v. 11 and 12 literally means "to loose" or "be undone",

Here is that word 'dissolved' again:

"All the stars in the sky will be dissolved
and the heavens rolled up like a scroll;
all the starry host will fall
like withered leaves from the vine,
like shriveled figs from the fig tree."
(Isaiah 34:4)

[divaD]

Why wouldnt the righteous dwell on the earth? He has willed it, He has said it, it shall be done.

This is missing my point I think. I'm not arguing against righteousness dwelling in the earth. When Jesus returns, would not righteousness then be dwelling in the earth? But when Jesus returns, the new heavens and new earth happen much later, right? And doesn't the verse say...Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.?

Doesn't this imply that it is because of the new heavens and a new earth is the reason righteousness dwelleth therein? But what about when Jesus returns? How does righteousness dwell in the earth during that time as well, when it's not supposed to happen until the new heavens and a new earth? And if righteousness already dwells in the earth when Jesus returns, why does it then have to re-dwell(Not sure if that word is valid) when the new heavens and a new earth come to pass a 1000 years and a little season later? With questions like these, I can see myself becoming amil before I know it. Not that that would be a bad thing, but perhaps because that view might follow logic a little closer than I tend to give that view credit for. But probably won't happen anytime soon tho, since that view has no answers for many of the prophecies recorded in the OT IMO.

[mattlad22]

This is missing my point I think. I'm not arguing against righteousness dwelling in the earth. When Jesus returns, would not righteousness then be dwelling in the earth? But when Jesus returns, the new heavens and new earth happen much later, right? And doesn't the verse say...Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.?

Doesn't this imply that it is because of the new heavens and a new earth is the reason righteousness dwelleth therein? But what about when Jesus returns? How does righteousness dwell in the earth during that time as well, when it's not supposed to happen until the new heavens and a new earth? And if righteousness already dwells in the earth when Jesus returns, why does it then have to re-dwell(Not sure if that word is valid) when the new heavens and a new earth come to pass a 1000 years and a little season later? With questions like these, I can see myself becoming amil before I know it. Not that that would be a bad thing, but perhaps because that view might follow logic a little closer than I tend to give that view credit for. But probably won't happen anytime soon tho, since that view has no answers for many of the prophecies recorded in the OT IMO.

Righteousness dwells on the earth now, through Him in His spirit, not of our accord.
During the thousand years righteousness dwells on earth, through Him, in resurrection of being made from corruption into incorruption.
The finality of forever and ever occurs when God dwells with us in completeness, and i cannot say righteousness will dwell then because there will be no unrighteousness, so there shall be no righteousness, but we shall all be together forever and ever with the Lord God Almighty and the Lord Jesus the Christ.

Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
When is the new heaven and the new earth? When does God declare it, what has transpired before this?
Until death is cast into the lake of fire, we will not have the new heaven and the new earth, where God will take away all crying, all pain, all sorrow all death in completeness.
Thats what we look forward to, and when Christ comes we, those who are His will be in it, if we are ressurected into incorruption at His coming and blessed and holy are those who take part in the first ressurection which the second death has no part, you are going to be in the new heaven and the new earth, you will not be a part of the second ressurection.

[Matthehitmanhart]

On the other hand . . .

In 1Corinthians 15 Paul describes our resurrection in terms of an ontological transformation, comparing the earthly with the heavenly in order to answer his rhetorical question, "what kind of body will we have?" In summary, he says that our resurrected body will be different both in kind and quality such that there will essentially be a change in the physical laws of the universe. In Romans 8, he also says that the creation itself was subjected to futility (entropy?) only to be transformed and glorified with the saints. It seems to me, if I understand Paul's view of things, there isn't going to be much of the current physics left. Will we still live on a celestial sphere in orbit around the sun?

Where does it say in 1 Cor 15 or Rom 8 that there will be a change in the physical laws of the universe? I'm not seeing this in either text...

[Matthehitmanhart]

Here is that word 'dissolved' again:

"All the stars in the sky will be dissolved
and the heavens rolled up like a scroll;
all the starry host will fall
like withered leaves from the vine,
like shriveled figs from the fig tree."
(Isaiah 34:4)

God's sword will be bathed with blood in heaven? The mountains will melt with the blood of the slain? Smoke will ascend from Edom forever? I'd say this is a prime example of non-literal language in prophecy, an evocative mixture of metaphor and hyperbole.

[RockSolid]

I'd say that's a prime example of metaphorical language in prophecy.

Of course it is.

Compare..
Isa 51:16 ​​​​​​​​And I have put my words in your mouth and covered you in the shadow of my hand, establishing the heavens and laying the foundations of the earth, and saying to Zion, ‘You are my people.’”

Isaiah isn't speaking of the creation of the universe. He is speaking of the creation of the church (Israel) and the giving of the Mosaic Law and making Israel His people. It's prophetic language.

In the OT the creation of "the heavens and the earth" often means the creation of Israel as God's people and the old covenant, Mosaic Law.
That old "heavens and earth" were about to melt or pass away in the near future of the apostles writings, making way for the new heavens and earth... the new covenant.
Why would Peter want his readers to be “looking forward” and “speed it's coming” to the day when the literal heavens and earth are destroyed and melted away? That would be a sad day. Peter and the other Apostles and Christians were expecting this to happen within their generation.

[Matthehitmanhart]

Of course it is.

Compare..
Isa 51:16 ​​​​​​​​And I have put my words in your mouth and covered you in the shadow of my hand, establishing the heavens and laying the foundations of the earth, and saying to Zion, ‘You are my people.’”

Isaiah isn't speaking of the creation of the universe. He is speaking of the creation of the church (Israel) and the giving of the Mosaic Law and making Israel His people. It's prophetic language.

In the OT the creation of "the heavens and the earth" often means the creation of Israel as God's people and the old covenant, Mosaic Law.
That old "heavens and earth" were about to melt or pass away in the near future of the apostles writings, making way for the new heavens and earth... the new covenant.
Why would Peter want his readers to be “looking forward” and “speed it's coming” to the day when the literal heavens and earth are destroyed and melted away? That would be a sad day. Peter and the other Apostles and Christians were expecting this to happen within their generation.

Except that the referent of Isaiah 34 is Edom, not Israel.

I'd compare Isaiah 34 with Isaiah 13 and 14, where we see similar language of cosmic disturbances (13:10) and then a clear identification of the image of a "star" with the king of Babylon (14:12).