Cremation Text?

I have studied on the rightness or wrongness of cremation for Christians. I have generally leaned strongly towards my not being cremated, but have not condemned fellow believers who allow for cremation. Today I am not so sure it is always wrong. It is still what I prefer, but leave the decision with my wife if I die before she dies. If she feels she needs the money, she has my permission to have me cremated. If she goes first, I will try to make arrangements for a burial.

Today I was musing upon the subject of decay and how it is an effect of sin and I meditated some upon these words of James the Lord's brother:

"Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days." (James 5: 3 nkjv)

So what is meant by "eat (or consume) your flesh like fire"? The word "flesh" is plural in the Greek. In either case it is a reference to the death and decomposition of the physical body and its parts, both skin and bones. Interesting is the fact that James used a simile to describe the rot, decay, corrosion, decomposition, of the flesh parts of our being that is like the rust and decay of metals, like silver and gold (although they do not rust, they do degrade over time, though more slowly). Everything is returning to dust and ashes. That is the law of our condemnation as a race of beings.

Flesh will be eaten away by fire in the same way that corrosion eats away gold and silver. In the destruction of treasures the selfish and unbelieving rich of the earth see depicted their own death and decay in the earth. That is the message of James. In other words, a corroding rust similarly seizes them and their physical being, and will eat away their flesh till they become once again dust and ashes.

So, I think the words "consume away their flesh as by fire" means they become ashes just like what is burned in fire becomes ashes. The difference is that decomposition of the flesh, or changing into dust and ashes, takes much time, being a slow process, but cremation occurs quickly, especially in today's ovens. In either case, whether by normal decay, or by cremation, you still become dust and ashes. One is by fast time and the other by slow time.

Decomposition and decay are having the same effect upon the physical world, and upon the lifeless bodies of animals and vegetation, as being cremated or thoroughly burned in the fire. That is what James, to my mind, is affirming by his simile. If it is not, then I pray someone helps me to understand the text accurately.

"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust" is solidly based on Scripture. Genesis 3:19 reads, 

“By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:19; See also 2: 7) 

In Ecclesiastes 3:20, Solomon declared, 

“All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return.” (Ecclesiastes 3: 20)

So, whether by slow decomposition (by burying the body in the ground) or by cremation, we still return to ashes and to dust.

Also, God will have no problem resurrecting ashes. If he could make man originally from dust and ashes, he certainly won't have any difficulty taking ashes that were once human and making them human bodies once again.

Satan Bound Now?

In the previous entry "Amillennialism is Postmillenialism" I stated:

"They also say that since we are in the thousand year period now, and since Christ and the believers are now ruling, and since Satan is now bound so that he cannot deceive the nations, Christ will come at the end of the Millennium. That being so, they are essentially Postmillennialists. Both agree that the second coming of Christ follows the thousand years of Revelation chapter twenty."

According to the text in Revelation chapter twenty Satan is bound at the start of the Millennium and is released at the end of the Millennium. But, if that is so, then it is also true that the second coming of Christ, according to Amillennialism and Postmillennialism, lets Satan loose upon the world to deceive the nations once again rather than binding him to not so do!

So, Premillennialists are looking for Christ to come and bind Satan in the pit and Amillennialists and Postmillennialists are looking for Christ to come and set Satan free from his prison!

Not only that, but the Amillennial message says that the coming of Christ will end the rule of the saints over the nations (since they are now in the Millennium, enthroned, and ruling the nations) when the truth is just the opposite.

This is one of the reasons I vehemently reject Amillennialism and Postmillennialism. Satan is not bound now and is doing lots of deceiving! When Christ comes, he will jail that old serpent, not let him loose. And, the second coming of Christ does not bring the saint's rule to an end but begins it.

They got the order of things wrong. It is sad to see someone get the order of things wrong in salvation (ordo salutis debate, or water baptism salvation debate), or in soteriology, but also get things in the wrong order when it comes to the Millennium and to the binding and loosing of Satan.

Further, not only is Satan not bound now (as Amillennialists affirm), neither did the first resurrection occur at the start of the church age nor continuously through the church age (another error of Amillennialism). 

Also, the saints are not now seated on thrones and reigning on the earth (another Amillennialism error). Anyone with plain honest common sense knows that the Christians do not rule the world during the church age or during their present lives on earth. 

Amillennialism is Postmillenialism

Many introductory works on "eschatology" will inform the novice in that subject that "there are three views on the thousand year reign of Revelation chapter twenty" among bible believers. Then they will enumerate them as Premillennialism, Postmillennialism, and Amillennialism. They will rightly say that Premillennialism says that the second coming of Christ occurs before the thousand year reign ("Millennium") and rightly say that Postmillennialism says the Christ will come after the Millennium. Then they will say to students that "Amillennialism says there is no Millennium"; But not without qualification, for once they have stated that proposition and affirmation, they will then needs say that Amillennialists do not deny that there is a thousand years where Christ and others will reign on earth, but deny that it is literal and pertains to a future not yet come. What they deny is Premillennialism, so that really "Amillennialism" is "A-Premillennialism."  The prefix "a" means "no" or "without" and so Amillennialism literally means "no millennium." But, how can anyone be an Amillennialist in light of what is plainly stated in the text of Revelation chapter twenty? 

What they actually say is that we are in the Millennium now, and that it spans from the time of the birth of the church, or from the time of the resurrection and ascension of Christ, to his second coming, and which is now almost two thousand years. So, how does one thousand years become two thousand years? Well, Amillennialists, without any ground for doing so, say that "thousand years" is not a literal number but symbolic of a long time, whose exact length of time is unknown. Of course, that is quite untenable and would be a wrong way to interpret scripture fairly and honestly. 

They also say that since we are in the thousand year period now, and since Christ and the believers are now ruling, and since Satan is now bound so that he cannot deceive the nations, Christ will come at the end of the Millennium. That being so, they are essentially Postmillennialists. Both agree that the second coming of Christ follows the thousand years of Revelation chapter twenty. 

I am firmly convinced that the thousand years is literal and that it is future and that it will begin when Christ appears the second time and sets up his kingdom on earth. 

If you need help with getting rid of the Amillennial or Postmillennial spectacles, let us know how we can help you further.

Beliefs about the Afterlife (xxxxix)

Elements Melting & Dissolving

"10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 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? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." (II Peter 3: 10-13 )

In the last chapter we began to answer the first question on our list of questions regarding the passing away of the heavens and earth and the creating of new heavens and earth and that question was - "How will they be destroyed?" In the last chapter we focused primarily on the prophecy of the apostle Peter from his second epistle, third chapter, where he describes the manner of destruction or passing away.

The earth was born or created out of water, was immersed in water (via the Flood), and will yet be immersed in fire. This is essentially what Peter says in his third chapter of his second epistle. 

In the above texts, the presence of the Lord in the time of the day of wrath and judgment, and in the day of perdition and destruction of lawless men, in the day when Christ returns, brings about destruction by fire. It is a fire arising from God's presence being fully manifested on earth, particularly as a "consuming fire," a fire that burns up the wicked and the works of men, yet does not harm those sheltered by the Lord. Recall the verse we cited in the previous chapter:

"The LORD also will roar from Zion, And utter His voice from Jerusalem; The heavens and earth will shake; But the LORD will be a shelter for His people, And the strength of the children of Israel." (Joel 3: 16)

So, in the days and years that make up "the great tribulation," or "the day of wrath," or in the days when the world is on fire, or when the tares (weeds, representing all the unrepentant wicked sinners of that period of time, as we saw in earlier chapters) are burned in the fire, and heavens and earth are mightily shaken, and when the noise of battle between God and Satan (including their followers and agents) is loudest and near its end, some will be sheltered and kept from the destruction, and this would include living believers who are caught up into the sky with resurrected bodies of saints, and those few remaining peoples who were not destroyed by the judgments of that great day. These few will have been sheltered or otherwise preserved in their physical lives and these will be separated when Christ sits on the throne of his glory on earth in Jerusalem. Some of them will be judged to be goat nations and rejected from entering the millennial kingdom of Christ, while others will be judged to be sheep nations and blessed and chosen to enter into the millennial kingdom. These people are "the nations" that we read about who enter the millennial kingdom and are ruled over by the glorified redeemed who have immortality and spiritual bodies. In previous chapters we focused on showing forth these things.

Consider also that if God plans to have the whole planet on fire, as if it were in a furnace, then people on it must be removed safely from it while it burns or be sheltered in the fire in some manner. How were the few (or remnant of humanity), "the nations" who remain after the destruction of the day of wrath, and are judged as being sheep nations, sheltered from the fires of the day of the Lord? 

Consider also the fact that the rapture of living believers, occurring in conjunction with the resurrection of the bodies of the righteous dead, occurs at the sounding of "the last trump" or the last of the seven trumpets of the Apocalypse, and therefore near the end of the time of the great tribulation and day of wrath. So, unless the Lord shelter them (as he did for the Israelites who were Egypt when the plagues were sent upon the Egyptians by Jehovah) so that they are not harmed by the fires, earth quakes, and other destructions ordained by God, "the Judge of all" (Heb. 12: 23; et als), for that last evil generation of our planet and race.

Let us discern what is meant by "the elements," and heaven and earth, being "burned up" and made to "melt with fervent heat" and being "dissolved." 

The Greek word for "elements" is stoicheion and is used twice by Peter in the above text, and twice by Paul in Galatians chapter four. To summarize W.E. Vine, James Strong, Thayer, and other Greek word scholars, the word denotes the basic or fundamental parts of a composite whole, particularly like a foundation (because it is a part of the whole and what part must precede in existence the other parts), so that I can translate as "building blocks" or as "component parts" or other such manner. Twice in Colossians Paul uses that word and it is translated by the word "rudiments" in the KJV. (Col. 2: 8, 20). It is also in the same translation translated as "first principles" in Hebrews 5: 12. 

The question is whether the melting of the elements denotes melting of the physical elements (as listed on the periodic table, being now about 118 elements). So, is this a prophecy of oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, etc., melting? If so, what is the effect of this melting? Are all the elements made into one? How will any person survive? Could it be like a lava flow? 

As we know, a lava flow melts everything as it moves along. We see this happen regularly to those who live in Hawaiian islands or in Iceland. If people survive the end time lava flow of the destruction of the present heavens and earth, they will have to hope it does not cover the globe all at once, or the Lord provides a shelter, so that people can stay ahead of it until parts of it cool. We see this kind of literal lava flow mentioned prophetically by Isaiah the prophet. 

"Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence, As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence! When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence." (Isa. 64: 1-3 kjv)

One of the similes for this "melting" of the heavens and earth is the melting of wax. Wax generally or normally takes time to fully melt. It is rarely melted by cremation. 

In the previous chapter we cited from Micah chapter four where this melting at the presence of the Lord is also mentioned. There it is written: 

"behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up." (4: 1) 

In chapter one Micah writes these words: "And the mountains will melt under him, and the valleys will split open, like wax before the fire, like waters poured down a steep place." (1: 4 ESV) 

We also cited from Isaiah chapter sixty four, verses 1-4, where this scene is also described. Also, consider again this verse from Nahum the prophet that we cited in the previous chapter:

"God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth. The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein. Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies. What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time. For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry." (Nahum 1: 2-10 kjv) (See also Psalm 97: 5 that we also previously cited) 

Melting not only takes time, but it doesn't annihilate substance. It changes its form. It breaks apart compounds (made up of chemical bonds). You break apart the elements of water, disconnecting the atoms of hydrogen and oxygen from each other, and they no longer exist as parts of water molecules. 

"Shall melt" is used twice by Peter and they are not translated from the same word. The first instance is from the Greek word "λύω lýō" and the second is from "τήκω tḗkō."

The KJV translates the former in the following manner: loose (27x), break (5x), unloose (3x), destroy (2x), dissolve (2x), put off (1x), melt (1x), break up (1x), break down (1x). 

It translates the latter in the following manner it as "melt" for it is only used once in the new testament. Melt is the best English word to convey the meaning.

Wrote Dr. J.A. Seiss in "The Apocalypse" (See here - LECTURE XLVIII. CHAP. 21:1-8. pg. 371): 

"The dissolving of which Peter is made to speak, is really a deliverance rather than a destruction. The word he uses is the same which the Saviour employs where he says of the colt, "Loose him" and of Lazarus 'when he came forth with his death-wrappings, "Loose him, and let him go;" and of the four angels bound at the Euphrates, "Loose them;" and of the Devil, "He must be loosed a little season." It is the same word which John the Baptist used when he spoke of his unworthiness to unloose the Saviour's shoestrings, and which Paul used when he spoke of being "loosed from a wife." It is simply absurd to attempt to build a doctrine of annihilation on a word which admits of such applications. The teaching of the Scriptures is, that the creation is at present in a state of captivity, tied down, bound, "not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope;" and the dissolving of all these things, of which Peter speaks, is not the destruction of them, but the breaking of their bonds, the loosing of them, the setting of them free again to become what they were originally meant to be, their deliverance. (Compare Romans 8 : 19-23.)"

The dissolving is actually both a deliverance and a destruction, just as the day of the Lord is good for the saved peoples of earth but bad for the unsaved peoples (as we have seen). 

"Dissolved" is not a good translation. Other translations use the word "destroyed" instead of "dissolved." But, though it is not often translated as "unloosed," that is the better translation. In fact, "loose" or "unloose" are the predominant words chosen to convey the meaning of the Greek word, being used thirty times, while the word "dissolve" is only used twice. This is one of the problems with the KJV version.  

So, what is the effect of unloosing or breaking apart of the elements (or building blocks) of the cosmos? I see mainly destruction as the effect, and not salvation, although the cleansing of the planet by fire could be a means in its salvation. 

Since the word "elements" (stoicheion) carries the idea of fundamental building blocks (or parts), so it seems most appropriate that their "dissolving" would be a "breaking apart," an "unloosing" of things bound together, and this being so, it means the opposite of what is meant when the scriptures say that by the Son of God "all things consist." (Col. 1: 17) The Greek word for "consist" is "synistēmi" and means, as many bible teachers also affirm, that Christ holds all things together, including every atom or particle of the cosmos. 

Fire, fervent heat, burning up the heavens and earth, and melting of elements and mountains, are all means whereby the heavens and earth which are now are "purged." Fire is a cleanser or purifier. So, it can be at the same time a means for salvation (purification or riddance of what is bad) and a means of destruction. To destroy the bad leaves only the good. 

Notice also from the above text in Isaiah chapter sixty four (cited above) that the coming down of the Lord's presence has several effects on the heavens and earth. There is the "rending" of "the heavens" and the burning, melting, and quaking of the earth and everything upon it. 

So, in conclusion we affirm these things about the destruction of the heavens and earth that Peter foretold would occur at the end of this present evil age and of the coming new heavens and earth:

1. The destruction is not a total annihilation of the substance or essence of physical things but a drastic alteration of them, being made new, although there is an annihilation of previous form and characteristics.

2.  The Millennial age of the kingdom will enjoy a partial fulfillment of being the promised new heavens and earth foretold by the prophets and apostles.

3. The "ages of the ages" that follow the Millennial age of the kingdom will be the complete or superlative fulfillment of the promised new heavens and earth.

4. The passing away of the present heavens and earth takes place in the years spanning the day of the Lord, as described in the Book of Revelation and in other prophecies we have cited, and does not occur in an instant.

5. Deliverance as well as destruction for the whole creation (heavens and earth), for the cosmos, is realized by the ending of the present age and the start of the next thousand year age. 

Now, in closing this chapter, let us review the "Questions" introduced in chapter 46.  

 

1. When will the present heavens and earth be destroyed, perish, or end? 

2. How will they be destroyed? 

3. When will the new heavens and earth be created? 

4. What will be new about the new heavens and earth? 

5. Is the Millennial Kingdom age the prophesied new heavens and earth? 

6. Why is John's new heavens and earth different than Isaiah's? 

7. Does Peter see the Millennial age as the new heavens and earth? 

8. Who are "the nations" of the Millennium or of the new heavens and earth? 

9. Where will the resurrected children of God live in the new heavens and earth? 

10. How will they be involved with the ongoing human race? 

We have answered questions numbered 1-3, 5, 7, 8; And we have partially answered question number 4, 6; We have not yet focused on addressing questions number 9-10. 

Think of all the good that will come when all the toxic waste is annihilated by the melting! Including all the garbage, junk yards, etc.! Recall that the purpose of both the shaking of heavens and earth and the burning of them is to remove things that can be destroyed by earth shaking, and things that can be consumed by fire and heat, so that what is immovable and imperishable only remains. 

How do the animals survive? We have queried that in regard to any humans on earth when the earth is melting and the heavens and earth are breaking apart, becoming out of joint or place. God provided an ark of salvation (including deliverance and preservation) for the few who entered the ark, and that included both humans and animals. But, we will discuss these things more in upcoming chapters.

"Behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, 

when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. 

The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, 

so that it will leave them neither root nor branch." 

(Malachi 4: 1)

Beliefs about the Afterlife (xxxxviii)

It is difficult to find a single picture for a heading that carries the idea of the destruction of our world, the passing away of the present heavens and earth, as prophesied about in holy scripture, because there are so many scenes and happenings involved in that destruction. Nor can a single line of verse be a suitable title to a write up on the end time destruction of our world. The above is what I finally settled upon. I am sure it is another old testament prophecy of the day of judgment when the world and the present heavens and earth suffer the calamities described in the Book of Revelation as occurring when the seven sealed scroll is opened by breaking its seven seals, covering chapters six through nineteen.  In those chapters we see lots of destruction by fire and the raining down of fiery hail, meteors, etc., from the heavens, as we have seen.

Question #2 - How will they be destroyed?

According to Peter, the present heavens and earth will be destroyed "by fire," and by "fervent heat," in the same way the old world, with its heavens and earth, was destroyed by a flood of waters. Recall too these words:

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 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?"

This seems to be a description of a conflagration that makes the earth a molten sea of lava, burning up everything on land, including everything that has been built on the earth by humans. But, more on that later.

Pass Away With Great Noise

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." (II Peter 3: 10 kjv)

The words "a great noise" are the translation of a single Greek word, ῥοιζηδόν (rhoizēdón). It is only used here in the new testament. Strong says it means "adverb from a derivative of ῥοῖζος rhoîzos (a whir); whizzingly, i.e. with a crash:—with a great noise." Vine says: "from rhoizos, "the whistling of an arrow," signifies "with rushing sound," as of roaring flames, and is used in 2Pe 3:10, of the future passing away of the heavens."

There are two affirmations to make on the meaning and ramifications of the heavens and earth passing away or being destroyed by "a great noise." First, the noise is continuous over years spanning the great tribulation and day of wrath. Second, the noise is the noise of war, for God is viewed as at war with the last generation of this evil age. 

In more than one place we read of the "noise (or "sound") of war" or "noise of battle" (Exo. 32: 17-18; etc.) Another example is in Jeremiah where he says -  "The noise of battle is in the land, the noise of great destruction!" (Jer. 50: 22 niv) This is the noise that will attend the destruction of the present heavens and earth and of the last wicked occupants of it. Consider also that the book of Revelation, which records the various noises of the day of destruction, is in a military context. Christ is pictured as a warrior on a white horse (Rev. 6: 1; 19: 11-16). In the latter passage this is said of Christ as military commander in the day of destruction:

"11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords." (11-16)

Also, Christ, in Revelation 6: 1 is pictured as a conqueror on a white horse and he has a bow in his hands with poisoned arrows (which I write about extensively in my series on the four horsemen of the Apocalypse) and during the years of the coming day of wrath and tribulation, each judgment, plague, disaster, etc. are the effects of his invisible arrows of destruction. Strong and other Greek scholars say the word for "great noise" was used to describe the whizzing sound that arrows make when traveling through the air (the same with modern rockets which you hear coming, as did soldiers in wars with cannons and missiles). So, each arrow of the Almighty (each calamity or each scene of destruction) intensifies and continues the noise of battle. 

Some translations translate rhoizēdón as "roar" rather than "great noise." It is also used of the whistling or roaring of mighty rushing wind, as a whirlwind, tornado, or hurricane might make, or the roaring and crackling fire of things burning. 

The heavens and earth will pass away with a whizzing, a whistling, or a crackling sound of objects being consumed by flames. 

Other verses also speak of sounds that will occur when Christ returns and when the heavens and earth are passing away. Said Jesus about the time of the end:

"And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." (Matt. 24: 31) 

There is also lots of noise in the book of Revelation. For instance, there are the sounds of the seven trumpets by seven special angels. There is also the "sound" (Greek "phone") of demonic locusts. So we read the text: "And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle." (Rev. 9: 9) The book of Revelation is filled with noise in describing the days of earth's destruction. There is frequent mention of numerous sounds, voices, noises, thunderings, etc. The destruction of our world will be a noisy affair. 

Remember the verse from Hebrews twelve that we cited in the previous chapter about the shaking of the heavens and earth and how such text occurs as a result of Lord God causing his voice to be heard. Notice this companion verse:

"The LORD also will roar from Zion, And utter His voice from Jerusalem; The heavens and earth will shake; But the LORD will be a shelter for His people, And the strength of the children of Israel." (Joel 3: 16)

Recall how some translate the Greek word for "a great noise" as "roar." There are several kinds of "roaring," of course. The roaring of a lion is not the same as the roaring of the wind (as in a tornado) nor of the roaring of great fires. 

The kind of sound or noise that is heard when the heavens and earth are being destroyed or passing away is what we literally see when God came to meet with the Hebrew people on Mt. Sinai. In the following text we are given a narrative description of the effects of the the Lord's coming face to face with mankind. Notice how the noise or sounds associated with LORD God's arrival on earth are both loud and long. 

"11 And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘Take heed to yourselves that you do not go up to the mountain or touch its base. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. 13 Not a hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with an arrow; whether man or beast, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds long, they shall come near the mountain.” (Exodus 19: 11-13 nkjv)

"6 Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17 And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly. 19 And when the blast of the trumpet sounded long and became louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by voice. 20 Then the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. 21 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to gaze at the Lord, and many of them perish. 22 Also let the priests who come near the Lord consecrate themselves, lest the Lord break out against them." (6-22)

We see the same picture in the prophecy of Peter concerning the perishing of the present heavens and earth, or the end of the age. The Book of Revelation details, chronologically, the events connected with the day of the Lord, when he comes again, and governs the day of wrath, vengeance, judgment, and tribulation. When God comes down in the person of the Son of God, who is also Jesus Christ the Lord, we see heavens and earth dramatically affected, and many people killed dramatically (though with a spared remnant). Notice that the text highlighted in red letters above speaks of the noise or sound of the trumpet being increasingly loud and for a prolonged period. This is the same kind of "great noise" wherein the present heavens and earth will pass away. So, let us not think that the heavens and earth are to pass away instantly with a whizzing  sound that last only for a few seconds. 

Also, there is a difference in writing "with a great noise" and "with great noise." There is no indefinite article "a" in the Greek language and it ought not to be always supposed or implied in the absence of the definite article. The heavens and earth will be destroyed with prolonged noise of battle, fires, earth quakes and shakes, etc.

Notice how the descent of the Lord on Mt. Sinai (on earth) was in fire, smoke, and great quaking, the very things we see literally attending the return of the Lord and with his initiating the day of wrath and retribution, things which have been previously shown. 

Notice also this prophecy of David: "The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth." (Psa. 97: 5)

Notice the mountains melting like wax as a result of the coming of the "Lord of the whole earth." This is the same melting of the elements that Peter spoke about in conjunction with the coming of the day of the Lord and "the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."

In the next chapter we will talk about the end time melting and dissolving of the heavens and earth, of the cosmos, that Peter describes.

Beliefs about the Afterlife (xxxxvii)

In this chapter we continue to address how and when the present heavens and the earth perish, or pass away, and when they are followed by new heavens and earth. All this is in the context of our study of the afterlife and of life in the ages to come. We are discovering what life will be like for the righteous living and dead when Christ comes and the thousand year period of Christ's rule on earth is realized. We are also speaking of this in the context of what life will be like in eternity for the redeemed of all the ages.

Of the passages which speak of the ending of the present heavens and the creation of the new, Peter gives the most details describing 1) the day and time when the present heavens and earth pass away, and 2) the manner of their destruction or passing away. Before analyzing Peter's prophecy, let us first show some other scriptures that speak of - 

Perishing of the Present Heavens and Earth

"And: “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. 11 They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment; 12 Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail.” (Heb. 1: 10-12 nkjv)

"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." (Matt. 24: 35) 

"For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished." (Matt. 5: 18)

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more." (Rev. 21: 1)

As nearly all commentators affirm, the "passing away," or "perishing," or "destruction," of the heavens and the earth does not mean the entire annihilation of heavens and earth, only that there is a cosmic change in earth and skies. This is clear from the texts cited in the previous chapter that describe the new heavens and earth. It is also clear in the text above from Hebrews chapter one. The perishing of earth and heavens involves they being "changed" so that they are no longer "the same." Yes, there is an annihilation, but it is an annihilation of the previous environment of mankind, not of the physical world itself. 

These verses also suggest that the new heavens and earth begin when the "first heaven" and "first earth" have ended. That leads us to ask the question - "are the thousand years of the reign of Christ part of the first heaven and first earth?" Strictly speaking the very first heaven and earth would have been in the time of Adam and Eve when in innocence in the garden of Eden, or at least of the antediluvian world, for Peter speaks of that world saying "the world (cosmos) that then was perished by the flood of waters." He contrasts that age and world with "the heavens and earth which are now since the flood." The statement in Revelation 21: 1 however seems to suggest the millennial age was not in any sense the promised new heavens and earth of Isaiah. 

It could be that the adjective "first" in "first heaven" and "first earth" means not first in relation to other ages of each, but first in relation to the new heavens and earth of the ages that follow the Millennial Kingdom Age. The word "first" (Greek "protos") may mean "prior" and so it is true that the new heavens and earth of Revelation chapter twenty one will bring to an end the prior or preceding heavens and earth of the Millennial age, but that does not deny that much was new about the heavens and earth of the thousand years. It may mean not only prior, but before or former. Also, the word "renewed" or "renewal" carries the idea of being continuously made new. 

Destruction of Present Heavens & Earth 

in the Apocalypse

As previously stated and affirmed, the destruction or passing away of the present heavens and earth is what occurs as part of Christ's second apocalypse, or his second coming. Ergo, it occurs prior to the Millennium. 

What takes place when Christ acts as a Redeemer in opening the seals of the seven sealed scroll of the Apocalypse corresponds to those things that will occur in conjunction with Christ's coming again, with "the day of redemption" (Eph. 4: 30, etc.), either by way of precursors, accompaniments, or via a vanguard of royal announcers and other attendants who prepare the way for a king's coming and who are part of his entourage. Therefore, the destruction we see occurring in Revelation chapters six through twenty is suffered by the earth and its wicked inhabitants, just exactly as described by Peter in the third chapter of his second epistle, and in what other bible writers also spoke about.

If that is true (and it is), then we can see how the destruction of the present earth and heavens is not all at once, in a single hour, day, week, or month, or year, but is rather what takes place over a period of years, as the narrative of Revelation shows. Even the destruction of the old heavens and earth in the days of Noah did not occur in one hour, day, or week. It rained for forty days and nights and Noah and his family were in the ark for a little over a year, while the old heavens and earth were being remade. 

Yes, it is true that some statements in Peter's prophecy, as in Revelation 20: 11, seem to suggest that the destruction is all at once, as when Peter says that the present heavens and earth will "pass away with a great noise" or John writes about the heavens and earth "fleeing" when the Lord and the great white throne enter the scene. But, things are not always as they seem, and so we cannot affirm that the destruction, like the changing of bodies in the resurrection, occurs "in the twinkling of an eye" (I Cor. 15: 52), from such statements (as we will see further). 

Now let us notice the texts in Revelation that describe the destruction of our present heavens and earth. I will cite them all first, and then make comments and observations thereon. Notice the words in bold type that show end time destruction to heavens and earth.

"12 So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth...I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. 13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. 14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. 15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" (6: 8, 12-17)

"So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. 7 The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up. 8 Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. 9 And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. 10 Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11 The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter. 12 Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night. 13 And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!" (8: 1-13)

"By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed--by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths." (9: 18)

"The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth." (Rev. 11: 18 nkjv)

"And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, "Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe." 19 So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses' bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs." (14: 18-20)

"1 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth." 2 So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. 3 Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died. 4 Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood...Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. 9 And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory." (16: 1-4, 8) 

"17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It is done!" 18 And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19 Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. 20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. 21 And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great." (16: 17-21)

That is certainly, in my mind, the very destruction or passing away of heavens and earth that the prophets of old, Christ, Peter, and the other new testament prophets and inspired writers foretold as occuring in the years wherein the tribulation, wrath, judgment, and vengeance is poured out from heaven, by the Lord, as recorded in the Apocalypse. 

Is fire and burning and intense heat and melting of things, as described by Peter, seen in the above verses? Yes. Are the present heavens (skies, atmosphere, etc.) and earth (land and sea) ruined by the awful judgments that occur in conjunction with Christ's return and initiating the day (years) of wrath? Yes. Are most of the human race destroyed? Yes. Do the above texts in the Apocalypse not say that the earth and sky are destroyed by those judgments and plagues? Yes. 

Further, if we prove that the passing away of the present heavens and earth occurs when Christ returns and prior to the Millennium, then the new heavens and earth must begin immediately when Christ returns (unless there is a gap between the ending of the old and the start of the new - which is not tenable). Thus, our proposition is proven, that both the Millennial age and the ages that follow may be viewed as new heavens and earth, though John, in the Book of Revelation, focuses strictly on the new heavens and earth that follow the Millennium. 

OT Prophecies

“For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up,” Says the Lord of hosts, “That will leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves. 3 You shall trample the wicked, For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet On the day that I do this,” Says the Lord of hosts." (Malachi 4: 1-3 nkjv)

Again, all the texts cited above from the Book of Revelation describe the several years of destruction that will end this present evil age and the present heavens and earth. That being so, who can deny that the burning up of the earth and its inhabitants as described by the prophet Malachi is not one and the same scene as described in Revelation chapters five through twenty? In earlier chapters we saw how the trampling and arresting of the wicked, as promised in the above text and in Psalm 149, and in other places, occurs in Revelation chapter nineteen when Christ descends from the clouds with the angels and with the raptured and resurrected and glorified saints. 

Also, the language of Malachi is in conformity with that of Peter's prophecy of the end of the present heavens and earth. Peter too speaks of fervent heat, and of melting of elements, and how it is all reserved for fire in the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 

Notice how the same day of the Lord's coming is good for the righteous but bad for the wicked. See the words highlighted in red above. Those who fear the Lord will find "the day" that is "coming" a time of healing, growth, and prosperity (denoted by a simile - "like stall-fed calves") but the unsaved wicked man will be burned up, trampled, become ashes under the feet of the saints. 

Of course, such prophecies as the above concern the living and not the dead. It describes mostly what will be done to the world's occupants when the day of the Lord, the day of wrath, begins and ends. 

The above contrast in the effects of the coming of the day of the Lord are also well described in these words of the prophet Amos:

"Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord! For what good is the day of the Lord to you? It will be darkness, and not light. 19 It will be as though a man fled from a lion, And a bear met him! Or as though he went into the house, Leaned his hand on the wall, And a serpent bit him! 20 Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light? Is it not very dark, with no brightness in it?" (5: 18-20 nkjv)

For those living people's at the time of Christ's return (and his initiating the day of judgment, wrath, and destruction) who are saved, they will be instantly translated, like Enoch of old, so that they do not see death, they being raptured into the skies (as we have previously written about) and experience their bodies being glorified, made immortal, and made immutable in holiness, and it is a day of final salvation, a time of jubilation, but also a time to participate in the events of the last day and the beginning of the Millennial day. 

For those living at that time who are not saved, they will be left behind, and among them will be the few who survived the great tribulation and day of wrath (that preceded the rapture of believers) and these will be divided as sheep nations from goat nations, as we have observed. The goat peoples still alive when Christ descends to earth and gathers them together will be sent away into their final place of imprisonment, into "everlasting fire" that was originally prepared for the Devil and his angels. The sheep peoples are those who were not saved prior to the rapture and resurrection of the righteous, but saved when Christ descends from the clouds of heaven with his resurrected saints and shows himself to them and rewards them with privilege to enter into kingdom of God and heaven, and with all its newness for them and the environment.

"Wail, for the day of the Lord is at hand! It will come as destruction from the Almighty...Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger." (Isa. 13: 6, 9-13 kjv)

This is the day of the Lord that Peter spoke about, when the heavens and earth will pass away with great noise, and the day described as the day of destruction or day of judgment, wrath, and vengeance. It also testifies that only a small remnant of the human race survive the judgments of that day, and that the judgment of the living who remain will further and finally destroy all the wicked. Only the meek will remain to enter the Millennial kingdom age. That is what is signified by the statement that a man will be more precious than gold, the idea being that human beings are rare (very small population) like gold. This described destruction does not occur after the Millennium as so many affirm, but rather precedes the Millennium. It occurs in conjunction with the "shaking" of heavens and removing of earth out of her place. This shaking is referred to in Hebrews.

"25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, 26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I [k]shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” 27 Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we [l]may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire." (12: 25-29 nkjv)

This shaking undoubtedly occurs in the day of Christ's second coming, associated as it is with the day of wrath or day of the Lord. This shaking is of the heavens and earth. The result of this cosmic shaking is "the removal" of many things, such as the present heavens and earth, a purging which results in the unshakable kingdom of God being received and welcomed by resurrected saints and by the sheep nations. Notice also how the above text puts the time of this shaking with the time when God becomes, to this present evil world, a "consuming fire." The above citations from the Book of Revelation show that the heavens and earth are being repeatedly burned up by literal fire and shaken in the years making up the Apocalypse of Christ. 

The day of God's fierce anger (or shaking) is not what happens at the end of the Millennium, but prior to the start of it. That being so, we cannot help but conclude that the new heavens and earth are to a great degree realized in the thousand years. 

The destruction of Babylon (described by Isaiah and the apostle John), the mega city of end time prophecy, is 

1) an example of the kind of destruction that will come on all the world at the end of this age, and 

2) a destruction of the wicked commercial system of the evil world in existence when Christ returns. 

Those graphic old testament descriptions of the destruction of the tyrannical Babylonian empire in Isaiah and Jeremiah were not all fulfilled in the overthrow of that empire by the Persian Empire. They are, however, all finally fulfilled in the end time destruction of end time Babylon, it being at that time the newly created world trading center (all trade between nations being managed by a central governing agency via becoming an "international city" designed for that purpose). 

So, though the words of Isaiah chapter thirteen, cited above, are in the context of the destruction of ancient Babylon (both city and empire), they are not the final or larger fulfillment of the prophecy. The destruction of the megalopolis city state of the end time political world described by John in the Apocalypse (Rev. chapters 17-18) fulfills it. There was no shaking of the earth and heavens in the day when God destroyed the Babylonian city and empire, at least not as it will be when Christ returns to judge the world. 

In the next chapter, we will continue discussing when the present heavens and earth pass away and when the new heavens and earth are created. We are also getting a clearer picture of what life will be like in the coming first age of eternity, to life in the new heavens and earth of the Millennial Kingdom. 

Beliefs about the Afterlife (xxxxvi)

"The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever" 

(Psalm 37: 29 ESV)

In this chapter we will begin to look closer at the several major bible passages that speak of new heavens and earth and see how the accounts are alike and how they are different and then to explain the differences. First, we will begin with the texts in the prophecies of Isaiah (which we have already introduced and made comment and observations). Here are the two from Isaiah:

"17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. 19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. 20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. 21 And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. 22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them. 24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord." (Isa. 65: 17-25 kjv)

"22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain. 23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord. 24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh." (Isa. 66: 22-24)

Now, here is what the apostle Peter wrote:

"3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 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? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." (II Peter 3: 3-13)

Finally, here is what John recorded in Revelation:

"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful." (Rev. 21: 1-5)

Literal Fulfillment

The language of these prophecies concerning new heavens and earth cannot be legitimately interpreted in a figurative way so as to deny their literal fulfillment.

In other words, the leading subjects (nouns) of the prophecy, such as heavens, earth, etc., cannot be taken in a non literal way. Consistency and the law of non contradiction will not allow a figurative fulfillment. As I have stated several times in this series, every prophecy that has come to pass was fulfilled literally. It is a shame that so many fail to recognize this self evident fact that a study of prophecy reveals. 

What we are going to focus upon is 1) how Isaiah's, Peter's, and John's description of the new heavens and earth are alike (similarities) and 2) how they are different, and then to address the question as to why they are different.

My thesis has been that the new heavens and earth of Isaiah describe life in the thousand year reign of Christ primarily, but that described by John, and perhaps by Peter, describes life in the endless ages which follow the millennial reign. I have also contended that old testament prophecies of the new heavens and earth, and of the reign of the Messiah on earth, often blended together, like a double exposure in filmography, two comings of the Messiah and two ages of new heavens and earth.

There are things said in Isaiah's description of new heavens and earth that are inconsistent with what John writes about the new heavens and earth in the ending chapters of the book of Revelation. But, there are also so many things wherein they are alike. The Millennial age is a new heavens and earth, although not yet the new heavens and earth of the ages that follow the Millennial age. 

Questions

1. When will the present heavens and earth be destroyed, perish, or end?

2. How will they be destroyed? 

3. When will the new heavens and earth be created?

4. What will be new about the new heavens and earth?

5. Is the Millennial Kingdom age the prophesied new heavens and earth?

6. Why is John's new heavens and earth different than Isaiah's?

7. Does Peter see the Millennial age as the new heavens and earth?

8. Who are "the nations" of the Millennium or of the new heavens and earth?

9. Where will the resurrected children of God live in the new heavens and earth?

10. How will they be involved with the ongoing human race?

Question #1 - "When will the present heavens and earth be destroyed, perish, or end?" 

Let me begin addressing that question with this citation from Dr. John Walvoord (from "The New Heaven And The New Earth" at Walvoord.com - here emphasis mine):

"Only a few other passages in the Bible deal with the subject of the new heaven and the new earth, and these are often in a context dealing with the millennium (cf. Isa. 65:17; 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13). The fact that millennial truths are mentioned in the same context in all three of these major references has often confused expositors. However, it is a common principle in prophecy to bring together events that are distantly related chronologically, such as frequent reference to the first and second comings of Christ, actually separated by thousands of years (Isa. 61:1-2; cf. Luke 4:17-19). In a similar way there is mention of the resurrection of the righteous and of the wicked in the same verse, as in Daniel 12:2, events separated by a thousand years. And Malachi 4:5 speaks of the second coming of the Lord followed by verse 6 referring to His first coming. Second Peter 3:10-13 refers to the day of the Lord beginning before the millennium, as well as to the destruction of the heavens and the earth with fire at the end of the millennium. If all the passages are put together, the sequence of events becomes plain, and the allusions to the new heaven and the new earth are clearly set forth in the book of Revelation as following the millennial kingdom and immediately preceded by the destruction of the old earth and heaven, as previously mentioned. J. B. Smith’s objection to the first heaven and the first earth passing away is not substantiated by any of the proof texts which he cites."

I agree with Dr. Walvoord about how old testament prophecies often blended together two prophetic scenes into one, such as the two comings of the Messiah, and of the new heavens and earth of the Millennium and of the endless ages following. I am not sure that this was the case with the prophecies of the apostles and new testament writers of scripture. I am not inclined to believe that Peter spoke of what occurs both before and after the Millennial reign, blending together two different scenes, as did Isaiah, for instance. One of my reasons for affirming this is because Peter wrote that we have in Christ's coming "a more sure word of prophecy." (II Peter 1: 19) Christ has come and spoken to us more plainly and literally about God's plans, about fulfilled prophecies, and about new prophecies and of prophecies yet unfulfilled. 

So, when is the prophecy of Peter to be fulfilled? Is the destruction of the present heavens and earth fulfilled at the second coming of Christ and prior to the thousand year reign? Or, does the destruction of the present heavens occur after the millennial reign? In either case, Peter sees the new heavens and earth being created after the destruction of the old or present heavens and earth. That point we will address further shortly. 

Peter also connects the end of the present heavens and earth and the beginning of the new with the coming of the day of the Lord, or the day of Christ's coming and reign. In the above passage from Peter, notice the words in red. They speak of the coming of Christ, and "the day of the Lord," and "day of judgment and perdition." That would seem to indicate that Peter sees the coming of Christ and his Millennial reign (that thousand year "day") as the time when the prophecy is fulfilled. 

If the new heavens and earth that Peter speaks of are the same as the new heavens and earth of John in Revelation chapters twenty one and two, then the prophecy is not fulfilled in the Millennium but in the endless ages that follow (that age whose time is fixed in its beginning, length, and ending). Thus, when Peter speaks of "new heavens and earth wherein dwells righteousness," he is not speaking of the Millennial age, even though it may be characterized as such a place (as did Isaiah). The difference is that the millennial new heavens and earth are Utopian and Edenic, or Paradisaical, but not perfectly so, while the endless ages following the millennial are wholly righteous, a place where there is no lawlessness nor unrighteousness.

The destruction of the present heavens and earth prior to the millennium, as connected with the return of Christ, or with his "apocalypse" (appearing or revelation), seems to be well described in the scenes of the Book of Revelation and the opening of the seven sealed scroll, where we see the earth and heavens being destroyed by the awful judgments of the day of judgment, or day of Christ's return (Rev. chapters 6-19); And, the inauguration of new heavens and earth begins with the millennial age under Christ and his people. That is not to deny, however, that some aspects of the prophecies pertaining to new heavens and earth are not fulfilled in the millennial age. That there is a passing away of the old heavens and earth after the millennium is seen in these words from Revelation chapter twenty:

"And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them." (vs. 11)

This is the time when many commentators place the destruction of the present heavens and earth that Peter foretold us about. But, I doubt that. Perhaps this is another example of dual fulfillment of bible prophecy. Surely the heavens and earth of the Millennium of Revelation twenty are "new" in comparison to the present heavens and earth and surely also the heavens and earth of the ages following the Millennial will also be "new" in comparison to the Millennial heavens and earth. But, if the old heavens and earth end at the end of the Millennial reign, then we must say that the thousand year age will not be the new heavens and earth and also say that the destruction of the present heavens and earth does not occur before the Millennial reign of Christ on earth (which does not seem to be the case) but after it and after the great white throne judgment and the resurrection of the wicked dead. 

Also, by destruction of heavens and earth is meant not only the physical elements that make up the atmosphere and the soil but much more, including the people who live and occupy those heavens and earth. We see this in Genesis where Moses describes the destruction of the old world and its heavens and earth.

"And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth." (Gen. 6: 12-13 kjv)

So, the passing away or perishing of the present heavens and earth also signifies the purging away of the present occupants of the land, of those who are "flesh."  Also, the "corruption" was not only physical (involving rust and decay) but moral and spiritual. In making a new earth, or new creation, or new world, a new people must be made for it. So it was with Noah and his immediate family of eight souls. 

Let us quote further from Walvoord (same place). He wrote:

"The eternal state is clearly indicated in the absence of sea, for frequent mention of bodies of water occur in millennial passages (cf. Ps. 72:8; Isa. 11:9, 11; Ezek. 47:10, 15, 17, 18, 20; 48:28; Zech. 9:10; 14:8). The evidence of Revelation 21:1 is so specific that most commentators do not question that the eternal state is here in view." 

Why the new heavens and earth will no longer have "sea," will perhaps be discussed later, but it does show, as Walvoord says, that the new heavens and earth that John describes comes after the Millennial age. It is true that most commentators agree with this view. However, that does not mean that the heavens and earth of the Millennial age and kingdom, as described by Isaiah, are not new. If they are not new, then they are in every respect the same as now. But, from Isaiah we see how this is not so. For now, vipers still bite children, and most people do not live for hundreds of years, and the lion eats the lamb. So, it seems to me that both the Millennial age and the endless ages afterward may be called "new." Also, the word "renewed" or "renewal" carries the idea of being continuously made new.

Further, the destruction of the present heavens and earth, according to Peter, occurs in conjunction with Christ's return to earth and with the day of judgment and perdition. He says the present heavens and earth are "reserved for fire," a conflagration, or baptism of fire. He says this occurs in that time described as "the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men," that day occurring when Christ comes the second time. 

So, we see one of the glaring difficulties in discerning when and how a prophecy is fulfilled. Just as looking at a "double exposure" requires close inspection to discern the overlapping pictures and to see how each item in the fused picture fits into one or other of the two scenes that have been blended together, so too does looking at the prophecies concerning the coming of new heavens and earth and the destruction of the old heavens and earth. In either case, however, we see nothing but literal scenes.  

By his coming again Christ destroys by fire the existing order of things and sets up a new order. In each case, when one world was destroyed and another created to take its place, the heavens and the earth were not in essence annihilated though dramatically changed. What "passed away" and was no more was the heavens and earth as formerly constituted, not the essence of earth and heavens. We may truly say that the old world of the time between Adam and Noah is not the same world we have today. But, it is still essentially the same earth and heavens. It is the same with those who are converted or born again. They become a "new creation" in Christ so that "old things are passed away" and "all things become new" (II Cor. 5: 17), yet it is still them, they not being annihilated in their essential selves (though what they used to be in character and behavior is annihilated). So too with resurrection bodies. They will be recreated and changed, glorified and made immortal, but it will still be the same bodies that they were born with and in which they lived during their lifetimes (more on the nature of resurrected bodies in future chapters).  

In the next chapter we will analyze the destruction of the heavens and earth that Peter prophesied about and try to discern whether it is what occurs before or after the Millennial kingdom age. But, in ending this chapter of introduction, I want to cite from an Internet article titled "NEW HEAVENS AND NEW EARTH: BEFORE THE MILLENNIUM OR AFTER?" by Douglas Hamp (See here). He wrote (emphasis mine):

"The placement of the new heavens and new earth traditionally comes after the Great white throne judgment. The trouble is there are too many verses that argue against that. In this short expose, we will consider some verses, that if taken literally, prohibit the above interpretation. 

The typical end-times sequencing is 

1. The great tribulation 

2. The second coming 

3. The judgment of the nations (separation of the sheep and the goats) (Mat 25:31-41, Joel 3:2) 

4. The millennium, Jesus ruling with a rod of iron (Isa 11, Rev 20:1-10) 

5. The Great White Throne Judgment 

6. The new heavens and and the new earth 

Hamp wrote further:

"The first thing we need to consider is that the earth will be in such havoc that the Lord must recreate it at (or shortly after) the second coming because it will be uninhabitable; all the oceans will have been turned to blood and be full of rotting dead corpses of all the sea creatures – certainly not a nice place to live!" (Rev. 16: 3)

Therefore, we see that the heavens pass away and the earth is utterly devastated at the second coming and thus a new heavens and new earth are absolutely necessary." 

If one will simply read of what happens to the earth and heavens during the days of the judgments of the Apocalypse (Revelation chapters 6-20), he will see them and their occupants fairly well destroyed. Such devastation is detailed. However, the fleeing away of the earth and heavens at the time of the appearing of the great white throne and the judgment of the wicked dead (Rev. 20: 11) has no details of any destruction. Also, if the destruction of the present heavens and earth that Peter foretold is what occurs in those chapters in the Apocalypse, and if the new heavens and earth come immediately when the old heavens and earth are destroyed, then that would indicate that the Millennial age is one of the fulfillments of the prophecies of new heavens and earth. It is not, of course, the larger or complete fulfillment of the promise, for that comes in the ages that follow the Millennium and the final riddance of Satan and his seed from the heavens and earth.

Hamp wrote further:

"In Isaiah 65:17 God declares that He will make new heavens and a new earth which from reading the passage is occurring at the beginning of the millennium/messianic age."

My answer is that of "dual fulfillment" of bible prophecy (of which we have spoken of in previous chapters), to see two separate prophetic events merged into one picture.

Recall that the argument is made that since the new heavens and earth follow the Millennium, and the general white throne judgment (per Revelation chapters twenty and twenty one), and since the text in chapter twenty says that the heavens and earth fled away and were no more when the white throne judgment occurs, one must therefore conclude that the destruction or ending of the present heavens and earth does not occur when Christ comes and begins the Millennial kingdom age (an untruth).

Further or rather, the destruction of the present heavens and earth seems to be what is occurring in Revelation chapters six through twenty and this does precede the Millennium; And, if the new heavens and earth come immediately after the destruction of the present, old, or first heavens and earth, then we must say that we see new heavens and earth both at the start and at the conclusion of the thousand year kingdom age. 

Hamp said further:

"Once we see that the new heavens and new earth must go at the beginning of the millennium so many other pieces of our end-times puzzle fit into place. The key is to take things literally. We also begin to see God’s promises to Israel in a different light. I suggest that replacement theology, which has permeated our theology more than we realize, has gotten us off track on the timing of the new heavens and earth. God promised that he will establish the kingdom and the Jews would be the head and not the tail and that kingdom, would never, ever pass away. (Dan 7:18)"

Prophecies are to be understood literally, at least those prophecies that are given through words (oracles) of God. There are prophetic messages in events and things, in dreams and visions, and these do prophesy by means of figures, symbols, metaphors, similes, etc., and yet they all point to a literal fulfillment. All prophecy that has been fulfilled already has been fulfilled literally. Every animal sacrifice under the direction of God in the old testament carried within that rite a prophetic message. So too with the passing over of the Israelites by the angel of death and all the feasts of the covenant with Israel, and the temple design and rituals. But, the things that they typified in Christ and in his mission into the world were literally what those rituals typified.

Hamp said further:

"The basic chronology therefore is as follows: 

1. The great tribulation 

2. The second coming 

3. The judgment of the nations (separation of the sheep and the goats) (Mat 25:31-41, Joel 3:2) 

4. The new heavens and and the new earth (possibly before the judgment of Joel 3:2) 

5. The millennium, Jesus ruling with a rod of iron (Isa 11, Rev 20:1-10) 

6. The Great White Throne Judgment

Of course, I would add #7 and have the words "the new heavens and new earth after the millennium."

This would accommodate the view I take which says that the new heavens and earth have fulfillment in both the Millennium and in the eternal ages following.

Got Questions web page replies to this question "What does the Bible say about the end of the world (eschaton)?" (See here) saying (emphasis mine):

"The event usually referred to as “the end of the world” (eschaton) is described in 2 Peter 3:10: “The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.” This is the culmination of a series of events called “the day of the Lord,” the time when God will intervene in human history for the purpose of judgment. At that time, all that God has created, “the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1), He will destroy."

My first observation is to say that "the day of the Lord" in the prophecy of Peter is the day of Christ's second coming, which is also the same day as "the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men," and this is exactly what we see occurring in the book of Revelation in conjunction with that day. That does not seem to be a day that follows the Millennial day, but what precedes it. It also has too many other problems with that view. 

When Peter says that we are looking for the coming of Christ, he connects his coming with the destruction of the present heavens and the beginning of a new heavens and earth. If that does not occur at all until after the Millennium, then even during the Millennium people will still be waiting for the new heavens and earth, and must wait for a thousand years. 

The authors continue:

"The timing of this event, according to most Bible scholars, is at the end of the 1000-year period called the millennium. During these 1000 years, Christ will reign on earth as King in Jerusalem, sitting on the throne of David (Luke 1:32-33) and ruling in peace but with a “rod of iron” (Revelation 19:15). At the end of the 1000 years, Satan will be released, defeated again, and then cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:7-10). Then, after a final judgment by God, the end of the world described in 2 Peter 3:10 occurs. The Bible tells us several things about this event."

If Christ is present on earth during the Millennium, then it must in some sense be heaven on earth, his being here in the manner described in scripture (when the earth is full of the knowledge of the Lord so that all know the Lord - see Isa. 11: 9; Jer. 31: 34; Heb. 8: 11) making it a truly new heavens and earth. Yet, as we know, though the millennial age will be in many ways new, it will not be the full realization of new heavens and earth, for that does in fact follow the millennial age and the eternal banishment of Satan and all evil beings from the human world, as the chronology of the Apocalypse shows. Further, it could be argued that Christ was once on earth (for thirty three years) and yet we cannot say that the heavens and earth were made new by his presence. So, that is not an argument by itself. But, when one looks at all the passages that describe the earth and life upon it in the Millennial heavens and earth in the kingdom of God, he must see how it becomes that time prayed for, when God's will is done on earth as it is in heaven. 

The authors continue:

"First, it will be cataclysmic in scope. The “heavens” refers to the physical universe – the stars, planets, and galaxies—which will be consumed by some kind of tremendous explosion, possibly a nuclear or atomic reaction that will consume and obliterate all matter as we know it. All the elements that make up the universe will be melted in the “fervent heat” (2 Peter 3:12). This will also be a noisy event, described in different Bible versions as a “roar” (NIV), a “great noise” (KJV), a “loud noise” (CEV), and a “thunderous crash” (AMP). There will be no doubt as to what is happening. Everyone will see and hear it because we are also told that “the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.”"

But, cataclysmic changes to the present heavens and earth do occur during the time when the judgments of the Book of Revelation are occurring on earth and in the heavens, as the narrative of the book shows. This is what Hamp was affirming in the above citations. It seems apparent that the destruction of the present heavens and earth occurs when the seven seals of the Apocalypse are broken and the trumpet angels and angels of wrath have wrought their destruction upon the wicked world. That time period is called by various terms in scripture, as "the day of Christ's coming again," "the day of Christ," "the day of the Lord," "the day of judgment," "the day of fire and perdition of ungodly men," or as "the hour of testing and trial which shall come upon all the world," "the last day," "the day of wrath," "the day of vengeance," "the day of redemption," etc.

The authors continue:

"Then God will create a “new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1), which will include the “New Jerusalem” (v. 2), the capital city of heaven, a place of perfect holiness, which will come down from heaven to the new earth. This is the city where the saints—those whose names were written in the “Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 13:8)—will live forever. Peter refers to this new creation as “the home of righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13)."

That is true, but with a word of explanation. That is not to deny that the heavens and earth of the thousand years will be "new" in so many ways to the present heavens and earth. In the new heavens and earth of the endless ages following the Millennial age the Lord promises to "make all things new" (Rev. 21: 5). All things were not made new in the thousand years, though many things were made new.

In the next chapter we will look at how the destruction of the present heavens and earth occurs in the days of Christ's apocalypse and in the day of judgment or day of wrath and vengeance. We will also address the rest of our questions enumerated above. 

Amillennialism & Prophetic "Incidentals"

I am often bewildered by how many students of bible prophecy, especially among Amillennialists, will say in criticism of Premillennialists, that bible students should not get bogged down in the "incidentals" of biblical prophecy, but stick with the main idea of the prophecies. When I hear this, I am stirred to respond to the criticism with a strong denunciation. 

Yes, I can sum up the Book of Revelation by saying "it teaches that good triumphs over evil," and leave it at that and say "the incidentals are unimportant." But, the incidentals are very important! I realize that some do get too bogged down in the "incidentals" of both the parables of Christ and the prophecies, so as to fail to grasp the main ideas, but I see bible students, especially among Amillennialists, going to the other extreme and ignoring the important "incidentals" of the parable or prophecy. In fact, most people are generally hungry for the incidentals, for the details. I know I am. 

Also, the incidental details are often very important in understanding a parable or prophecy. Who can read the Book of Revelation and then say that God is not disposed to give us too many details? Is it not filled with details and things some might consider incidental? Brother, if it is in the prophecy or parable, then it is judged important and so there is really nothing incidental in the parables or prophecies.

What think ye?