This study is primarily a verse by verse focus within 2 Peter chapter 3 utilizing a Strong's Concordance, but we must never forget to hear the words of Christ and his disciples on this matter, as the Word of God has revealed all things pertaining to mankind and the kingdom of God.
PROPOSITIONS
A. The end of the world (Greek "aion", English "age") in the New Testament was not speaking about the physical planet, but about the Old Covenant age.
B. The start of the new world (Greek "aion", English "age"), "the world to come" in the New Testament , was not about a physical reworking of the rock of the earth, but the full establishment of the New Covenant age through the vindication of Jesus Christ over His enemies.
INTRODUCTION: The Promise
In knowing God, knowing that God knows the imaginations of the hearts of mankind, that instead of promising doom for all mankind, that God was merciful and therefore sent His beloved Son for the healing of the nations, then that is to know enough to reveal His love for all mankind.
I know God will never again smite every living thing, He said so. Some say "God just said He will never again smite every living thing,... "with water", but did God say that? No. Take a look, and reason. Do you really think God would say in his heart, "I will never again smite every living thing, "with water", but if I do it "with fire", I am cool with it"?
(KJV)Gen 8:21-22 And the LORD smelled a sweet savor; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
No Way! For the whole wide world to burn up would require all living things to die as the earth remained. And the whole point is that God said "for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth". It is about all mankind NOT being smitten, not the manner in which! God understands, that is why God sent His beloved Son! It really was a great thing, monumental! It changed everything!
Or do you really think fire could burn the planet up so completely that it could not be found anymore, not a single speck of dirt found anywhere in the universe? Please do a good study on "fire" in the Bible, and you will see that "fire" is not always literal, that fire does often represent judgment sent from the holy heavenly powers of judgment, into the mouths of his prophets to burn up wicked works. Works, not the entire planet earth that God said was good after the flood, making a great promise to the people of earth.
Ps 78:69 And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever."
Ps 104:5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever."
Ecclesiastes 1:4 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever
__
This new age in Christ
And if in knowing God, knowing that God knows the imaginations of the hearts of mankind, that instead of promising doom for all mankind, that God was merciful and therefore sent His beloved Son for the healing of the nations, if that is not enough to reveal His love for mankind, please read the NT gospels, compare translations, and utilize the Strong's Concordance if you can.
It just may be that as the Spirit speaks, all is not as it seems! It can be said of many scriptures, and in that we may agree. I think the day of the Lord came as a "stealer" at "midnight"; in which "the abode of God passed away with a "crash", and the "The former arrangement and orderly principles" were "put off" with "consuming fire", the "region" also and the "deeds" that were therein were "wholly consumed". And now, there is righteousness, in Christ, and the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.
EXAMPLES:
Matthew 24:3 (Darby) And as he was sitting upon the mount of Olives the disciples came to him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be, and what is the sign of thy coming and the completion of the *age?
Matthew 13:49 (ESV) So it will be at the close of the *age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous
Matthew 13:40 (ISV) Just as weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so it will be at end of the *age.
Matthew 13:39 (LITV) And the hostile one who sowed them is the Devil, and the harvest is the end of the *age, and the angels are the reapers.
*G165
αἰών
aiōn
ahee-ohn'
From the same as G104; properly an age; by extension perpetuity (also past); by implication the world; specifically (Jewish) a Messianic period (present or future): - age, course, eternal, (for) ever (-more), [n-]ever, (beginning of the, while the) world (began, without end). Compare G5550.
G5550
χρόνος
chronos
khron'-os
Of uncertain derivation; a space of time (in genitive case, and thus properly distinguished from G2540, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from G165, which denotes a particular period) or interval; by extension an individual opportunity; by implication delay: - + years old, season, space, (X often-) time (-s), (a) while.
The Greek word translated as "world" in the KJV is "aion", and it is properly an "age". Jesus spoke much of this new *age (Greek "aion") to come:
(ESV)
Mat_12:32; Mat_13:39; Mat_13:40; Mat_13:49; Mat_24:3; Mat_28:20; Mar_5:42; Mar_10:30; Luk_1:36; Luk_3:23; Luk_8:42; Luk_18:30; Luk_20:34; Luk_20:35; Joh_9:21; Joh_9:23; 1Co_1:20; 1Co_2:6; 1Co_2:8; 1Co_3:18; Gal_1:4; Gal_1:14; Eph_1:21; 1Ti_5:9; 1Ti_6:17; Tit_2:12; Heb_6:5; Heb_9:9; Heb_11:11;
Jesus revealed this new earth age to come, and of the putting off of the former arrangement that God had made for a new arrangement, the old age before Christ for a new age in Christ, a better way, a new Israel, a new Jerusalem! And so it is the righteous shine forth as the sun in this new earth age in Christ, in the Kingdom of their Father.
And so it is in this new earth age in Christ, Christ is the healing of the nations, not the killing. And so it is in this new age of Christ, if a Jew will call upon the LORD for salvation through Christ, having the right to enter into the Kingdom, that Jew will be saved from eternal death. And so it is for all.
This world is not cursed no more.
Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, that if any man was bitten by a serpent, when looking upon that image Moses made, they would not die from that bite. And likewise, when the strong arm of the LORD most high was hung up from the earth on a cross, he delivered us from the deadly bite of that old serpent, which is the Devil. That is to say if any man is deceived by the lies of the mouth of that old serpent, the sting was taken away, we will not die, because of Jesus the Christ, the deliverer, who was victorious over the lies of the devil. When Jesus was hung on a cross, died, and rose from the dead, ascending unto the right hand of the power of the most high God, our Good Father, we were given life, life to any who will believe and know it to be true, everlasting life. (see John chapter 3)
He was alive, then he was dead, and he is alive forever more. There is no one like him. The Word, The One we call Jesus in English, or Yehoshua in Hebrew, is indeed Lord of heaven and earth. He was given all power in heaven and earth, set high, set high, set very high said all the angels and I. He is King too, yes he is, because he has received his kingdom and he reigns. Not by might or power, but by the Spirit of the LORD. Glory, honor, and power unto the most high God, top o' the ladder, where the food chain stops, the Lord God almighty, our Good Father, now, and forever. Amen.
URGENT!
After all, Jesus answered them when they asked about the end of the age! Jesus had said this many times, and in more way than one, and there was a certain urgency to it!:
(Mat 24:34) VERILY I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
(Mar 13:30) VERILY I say unto you, that THIS GENERATION shall not pass, till all these things be done.
(Luk 21:32) VERILY I say unto you, THIS GENERATION shall not pass away, till ALL be fulfilled.
(Mat 23:36) TRULY, I SAY TO YOU, ALL THESE THINGS WILL COME UPON THIS GENERATION
*(KJV) Rev 1:1-3 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must SHORTLY [G1722-G5034] COME TO PASS ; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of [ the testimony of Jesus Christ ], and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: FOR THE TIME IS AT HAND [G1451].
*(KJV)Rev 22:6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must SHORTLY [G1722-G5034] BE DONE .
*(KJV)Rev 22:10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: FOR THE TIME IS AT HAND [G1451]
G5034 "shortly"- Strong's Concordance:
τάχος
tachos
takh'-os
From the same as G5036; a brief space (of time), that is, (with G1722 prefixed) in haste: - + quickly, + shortly, + speedily.
G1722
ἐν
en
en
A primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), that is, a relation of rest (intermediate between G1519 and G1537); "in", at, (up-) on, by, etc.: - about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-) by (+ all means), for (. . . sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-) in (-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-) on, [open-] ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, [speedi-] ly, X that, X there (-in, -on), through (-out), (un-) to(-ward), under, when, where (-with), while, with (-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) prep.
G1451
ἐγγύς
eggus
eng-goos'
From a primary verb ἄγχω agchō (to squeeze or throttle; akin to the base of G43); near (literally or figuratively, of place or time): - from, at hand, near, nigh (at hand, unto), ready.
The Last Days- And a verse by verse look into Second Peter Chapter Three
GOD was very patient with His people for many moons, from the time Moses led his people out of Egypt, and they began to once again worship idols, to the time God sent his beloved son to redeem them from bondage again, but He was cut off, and another 40 years after that was allowed for repentance, 40 years again, as for Moses, a perfect time of testing.
Jesus said this:
John 12:31-32 NOW is the judgment of this world: NOW shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
Is it too much to say "NOW" was then?
This is a prelude to Second Peter Chapter Three. This was written by the dear Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ to an assembly in his day. Hear his words...
Jude 1:1-3 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called. Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Jud 1:4 FOR THERE ARE certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and DENYING the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jud 1:17-18 But, beloved, remember ye the words which WERE SPOKEN BEFORE of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that THEY TOLD YOU there should be MOCKERS in the LAST TIME, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
This is what Peter was talking about too as you will see below. Jude said those "mockers" were in his time!.. the "last time", this time was about 40 years after Jesus taught His Apostles that many mockers would come, and they came. They denied the Lord God, and the Lord Jesus Christ. That is something we who love God and his Christ, we who also know the Bible very well do not do. These were heathens, atheists, and they crept in in the first century!
1Jo 2:18 Little children, IT IS THE LAST TIME: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby WE KNOW THAT IS IS THE LAST TIME.
This that was written by Jude is very close to what Peter was saying, as a matter of fact, Jude and Peter are saying the same thing. Did you notice the "and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ." part? There were many "antichrist" people in those days, not just one. There were many antichrist's, and many MOCKERS and SCOFFERS in the first century! And Peters "letter" is a "letter" to an assembly in the first century.
We have all heard many preachers quote 2Peter ch. 3, and they always start at verse 3, what they often leave out is very important, verse 1 & 2...
(KJV) 2Pe 3:1-2 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto YOU; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That YE may be mindful of the words which WERE SPOKEN BEFORE by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior: " (see below)
First off, Peter was writing to an assembly in the first century saying "I now write to you"..."These things were spoken of by the prophets before". Jesus had told them before, and now they were sure that the time had come for all to be fulfilled. Jesus had promised them that He would come within the lifetimes of some, and they all expected it. So at this point, around 40 years after Christ ascended unto the Father, they were all getting a little impatient.
There were scoffers and mockers in the first century as Jude revealed, probably many Jews saying "Jesus was not the LORD made flesh!..."what good ever came from Nazareth!"..."Jerusalem will stand forever"..."This Temple will stand forever, God will never forsake the Jewish nation and have Jerusalem trodden by the Gentiles!".
(There were also false prophets and false Christ's galore.)
Now check this out! Notice the Colon after "Savior" in the 2nd verse, (see above), I didn't put it there!, look in your own Bible, this is what was spoken before by the prophets, and this is what was happening right then, it is a quote!...
(3:2) :
2Pe 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
2Pe 3:4 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.
(cont. below)
Peter was saying that they were warned of this before, and that now the time had come, just like Jude! There were scoffers and mockers saying "Jesus is not the LORD!", and all in the first century.
So, the "last time" was in the first century, and according to the Bible, so were the "last days":
Heb 1:1-2 God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath IN THESE LAST DAYS spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds...
Act 2:15-16 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. BUT THIS IS WHAT WAS SPOKEN BY THE PROPHET JOEL;
Act 2:17 (this was spoken long before by Joel, 2:28-32 )- "And it shall come to pass in THE LAST DAYS, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams"...
Jesus was not sent unto that generation for no reason. In the latter days, on this day Peter spoke of, the spirit was not poured out like water for no reason, the special gift of speaking in other languages was that the gospel would be preached to "every creature under heaven", and it so happens that there were dwelling in Jerusalem people from "every nation under heaven" in those days!, (and every year for the feast of tabernacles.)
Jesus had said "the end" would come, and as revealed above, it was "the end" of an "age"Jesus was speaking about, and it involved a persecution of His Apostles and disciples, and a judgment for the blood of all the Apostles and prophets:
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Mar 13:5 And Jesus answering them began to say...(13:10) And the gospel must first be published among all nations. (13:11) But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
And According to the BIBLE, the gospel WAS preached to every creature under heaven in the first century
So the "mockers and scoffers" were in the first century, the "last days" were in the first century, the "last time" was in the first century, and the gospel "was preached to every creature under heaven" in the first century, "the kingdom of God was at hand!" in the first century, therefore, it is well to say the old way and "former arrangement" was "put off" in the first century, "the end of the *age (Greek "aion") was in the first century, and the new *age was to begin in the first century.
A Detailed look into Second Peter Chapter Three
So you have heard The Promise, you may have sensed the urgency in Christ's testimony of His coming in judgment, and now picking up from 2Peter 3:1-4 above, we will take a good look at 2Peter Ch 3, because it seems to conflict with The Promise of God.
Some things are easy to understand, like the great promise from God to never again smite every living thing. Some things are harder to understand. We should make an effort to better understand how these first century disciples of Christ, thinking as Jews and speaking as prophets, would have understood what the Spirit was saying through Peter. I am certain they were not looking forward to a day of gloom when ALL flesh would die!
2Pe 3:5 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:
2Pe 3:6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished.
2Pe 3:7 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.
First thing I noticed was there were two words used, "the world" that had perished before, but then he speaks of "the heavens" and "the earth" "which are now", in their time. Interesting he speaks of "the heavens" as being "reserved unto fire", as well as "the earth", but he did not say "the world".
That "The heavens" as well as "the earth" were reserved unto fire is something I noticed preachers and teachers tend to leave out. They speak of the earth as being reserved unto fire, for sure, but they never mention the part about "the heavens" also being reserved unto fire.
Interesting, isn't it, that "the heavens" were reserved unto fire. The abode of God literally burning in flames? I don't think that should be taken literal at all, do you? From what I gather, this speaks of the powers of heaven being kindled in anger. That is to say judgment was coming, and soon.
If not literal for heaven, must it be for earth? Could it be said that fire represents judgment coming forth from heaven, burning up the wicked works of people, in all the land of earth?
(cont)
2Pe 3:8 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.
This is not to say Jesus would not keep His promise He had made to them. This is not to say that thousands of years will go by before Christ will keep his URGENT promise. Jesus had made it very clear to His Apostles that His were the days of vengeance to fulfill all that was written, promising He would return within the lifetimes of "some", even one, John, and at this point they are all becoming anxious, and as they knew Christ was allowing time for repentance in Jerusalem, they also knew He would keep His promise:
2Pe 3:9 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.
Jesus had made it very clear to His Apostles that He would return within the lifetimes of "some", within His generation, even before John died, and at this point they know Christ is allowing time for repentance in Jerusalem, because it was Jerusalem that was to be charged with the blood of all the prophets, even the Apostles.
I want to take a real good look at this verse using the Strong's Concordance, because I know from everything Jesus said that all is not as it seems, and I know they were not "looking forward" to a day when The whole wide world would burn up and all living things would die! I want to get into details to show how first century spiritual hearers might have understood the words of spirit, the meanings of each Greek word used, to prove these great words of spirit just might have had other meanings to them, other than 21st century Gentile meanings...
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the [1. night]; in the which the [2. heavens] shall pass away with a great noise, and the [3. elements] shall [4. melt] with [5. fervent heat], the [6. earth]-(ghay-soil, region) also and the [7. works] that are therein shall be [8. burned up.]
1. "night"- G3571 νύξ nux noox - A primary word; "night" (literally or figuratively): - (mid-) night.
2. "heavens"- G3772 οὐρανός ouranos oo-ran-os' - Perhaps from the same as G3735 (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension heaven (as the abode of God); by implication happiness, power, eternity; specifically the Gospel (Christianity): - air, heaven ([-ly]), sky.
3. "elements"- G4747 στοιχεῖον stoicheion stoy-khi'-on - Neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of G4748; something orderly in arrangement, that is, (by implication) a serial (basal, fundamental, initial) constituent (literally), proposition (figuratively): - element, principle, rudiment.
4. "melt"- G3089 λύω luō loo'-o A primary verb; to "loosen" (literally or figuratively): - break (up), destroy, dissolve, (un-) loose, melt, put off. Compare G4486.
5. "fervent heat"- G2741 καυσόω kausoō kow-so'-o From G2740; to set on fire: - with fervent heat.
6. "earth"- G1093 γῆ gē ghay - Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application): - country, earth (-ly), ground, land, world.
7. "works"- G2041 ἔργον ergon er'-gon - From ἔργω ergō (a primary but obsolete word; to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication an act: - deed, doing, labour, work.
8. "burned up"- G2618 κατακαίω katakaiō kat-ak-ah'ee-o - From G2596 and G2545; to burn down (to the ground), that is, consume wholly: - burn (up, utterly).
Repeat of verse
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the [1. night]; in the which the [2. heavens] shall pass away with a great noise, and the [3. elements] shall [4. melt] with [5. fervent heat], the [6. earth]-(ghay-soil, region) also and the [7. works] that are therein shall be [8. burned up.]
All together now, as the meanings of the Greek words reveal, We can rightly say the Spirit was saying:
(STRONGS) The day of the Lord will come as a "stealer" at [1] "midnight"; in which [2] "the abode of God shall pass away with a "crash", and the [3]"The former arrangement and orderly principles" shall [4] "be put off" with [5] "consuming fire", the [6] "region" also and the [7] "deeds" that are therein shall be [8] "wholly consumed".
The word used for "World" [kosmos-whole wide world] was not used, but "earth" (ghay-soil,region) and the WORKS therein! "Works" are "deeds", "acts", these are consumed in God's "consuming fire" that consumes works, not the man. The region was Israel, even Jerusalem, and the works were those of the Jewish nation who kept killing all the prophets God would send them. Jesus warned Jerusalem and the holy house (Temple), and the whole people of the Jewish nation that their days were numbered. In the gospels, Jesus never said he would destroy the whole wide world, but the works and region of Israel, even the workers of the Temple.
So what's it all mean? This next verse will clear it all up!
2Pe 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
2Pe 3:12 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?
I know they were not "looking forward" to a day when The whole wide world would burn up and all living things would die! That truly is not how they understood it! No way would they look forward to such a thing. They were looking forward to Salvation as you will see!
I have also taken a good look at the Greek to better understand what the spirit is saying, because I know from everything Jesus said that it was to be the end of an old "age" (Aion), and the beginning of a new "age", not the end of the world (kosmos). A putting away of the corrupt Temple as His abode, and former arrangement with the Jews, the Temple in Jerusalem as the "holy house" and abode of God, and a new covenant with all mankind, a new "region-ghay" in which God will dwell with all mankind:
"the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved"
G3772- "heavens" οὐρανός ouranos oo-ran-os' - Perhaps from the same as G3735 (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension heaven (as the abode of God); by implication happiness, power, eternity; specifically the Gospel (Christianity): - air, heaven ([-ly]), sky.
We could say; "The power and abode of God"
G4448- "fire" πυρόω puroō poo-ro'-o - From G4442; to kindle, that is, (passively) to be ignited, glow (literally), be refined (by implication), or (figuratively) to be inflamed (with anger, grief, lust): - burn, fiery, be on fire, try.
We could say; "Being kindled and inflamed"
G3089 -"dissolved" λύω luō loo'-o A primary verb; to "loosen" (literally or figuratively): - break (up), destroy, dissolve, (un-) loose, melt, put off. Compare G4486.
We could say; "Shall loosen, destroy and put off"
G4747 -"elements" στοιχεῖον stoicheion stoy-khi'-on- Neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of G4748; something orderly in arrangement, that is, (by implication) a serial (basal, fundamental, initial) constituent (literally), proposition (figuratively): - element, principle, rudiment.
We could say; "The former arrangement and orderly principles" He has made.
Again:
2Pe 3:12 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?
All together, we could rightly say the Spirit has said in 2Pe 3:12 :
(STRONG'S)"The power and abode of God", "Being kindled and inflamed", "Shall loosen, destroy and put off", "The former arrangement and orderly principles", He has made, "and shall consume them in fire" .
The region of the Jewish nation in the first century, whom like a bride, was granted a personal visit by the groom, even the LORD. He came to put an end to the daily sacrifices, and to reconcile a new covenant for the remission of sins, and with Jew and gentile, all who would believe.
2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth [righteousness].
(G1343- "righteousness" δικαιοσύνη dikaiosunē dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay From G1342; equity (of character or act); specifically (Christian) justification: - righteousness.)
Notice it does not say "only" righteousness. The workers of iniquity were to be trodden, His enemy's put behind Him. Peter looked forward to not a day of doom for ALL mankind, but a day when the Almighty would avenge the blood of the prophets, and abode in a new region, among all men, (not just the Jewish nation or the Temple in Jerusalem), where "Righteousness" dwells; The character of Christ, the giving of each man his due. Jesus spoke of this too:
Mat 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
Mat 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Mat 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
These here workers of iniquity were to be killed; "wailing and gnashing of teeth." These were Jew and Gentile. The workers of the Temple were definitely goats, the Scribes and Pharisees thought because of their ceremony's, because they were God's only chosen people, that they could treat Gentiles and Samaritans, all other people like dogs. And they were definitely rewarded in the same manner they rewarded their King, Jesus Messiah.
And so it is the righteous shine forth as the sun in this new earth age in Christ, in the Kingdom of their Father.
In this next verse, The writer of Hebrews was referring to how the old covenant, the old Jerusalem and temple as the abode of God was symbolic of that age, and was to be made low before "she", the "new Jerusalem" could come.
Jesus first put away the old way for the remission of sins, and after a time for repentance, the temple in Jerusalem was to be put off. Just as the veil of the temple was torn in two when Jesus gave up the Spirit, this symbolic gesture of putting off the old covenant and abode of God was much more than meets the eye, it was an act of God.
(ESV) *[Hebrews 9:8-9] By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing, (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper
The Temple in Jerusalem was symbolic of the old covenant, and it HAD to be put away, no more sacrificing animals! As this representation of the old covenant was first to fall, all others would follow. It all makes sense too, there was good reason as well, she had killed all the prophets God would send to her. JESUS said enough was enough, the temple was to be made desolate.
To Continue:
2Pe 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Would Peter tell others to look forward to "the end of the world [kosmos]" where all flesh would surely die? Looking closer we see Peter never said the "world" [kosmos] was going to be consumed in fire, but a region [ghay] would be consumed in fire, even the works of that region.
This chapter is all about SALVATION, not doom and gloom!:
2Pe 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
("salvation"-G4991 σωτηρία sōtēria so-tay-ree'-ah Feminine of a derivative of G4990 as (properly abstract) noun; rescue or safety (physically or morally): - deliver, health, salvation, save, saving.)
2Pe 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Paul was very deep. This is very deep, As the spirit speaks, all is not as it seems. Paul spoke of the same thing as a "heavenly Jerusalem", and spoke much of it as an old "age" coming to pass, and a new age in Christ. The literal path leads to destruction. The spiritual path leads to a fountain of living water, and the healing of the nations.
2Pe 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.
2Pe 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.
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Jerry's final thought:
Judgment day began with his people. His people lived in a certain region (ghay), not over the whole wide world (kosmos), and for a certain reason. The days of vengeance were upon his people in late AD 60's - early 70's, and it was a ransom in full.
Israel was cleansed and pardoned. It marked the time of redemption through Christ, salvation, the putting away of the former arrangement, and the putting away of the temple as the abode of God with his people only, to a new arrangement, a new Jerusalem, which is above, and is the mother of us all, prepared as the bride of Christ.
And so it is in this new age in Christ, the dead who's names are not written in the lambs book of life are resurrected into judgment, and the dead who's names are written in the lambs book of life are resurrected into eternal life. Only the dead are in need of resurrection, and only the dead are judged now. If a Jew will call upon the LORD for Salvation through Christ, that Jew will be saved from eternal death. And so it is for all. And because eternal life is the promise, there is no more death.
As long as a human is caught up in the breath of God in the land of the living, you have breath to repent, and if you are sincere, you can call upon the Father and ask for mercy and ask that through Christ you may be pardoned and forgiven of your sins. It is a fair request of any living man, and God is totally fair and just.
For Christ, a glorified body has risen, because He was born of spirit, He returned to spirit. We were born of flesh, from below, He was from above. We must be born again of the spirit, born of the groom and a freewoman, the new Jerusalem, the bride of Christ, she is the mother of us all.
The King is in residence in His Holy Tabernacle! A Tabernacle not made by the hand of men, but by the Hand of God! We have come to the New Jerusalem!
Jesus, He reigns in The kingdom of God, the kingdom is inside of me. The kingdom of God, what a mysterious thing!
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Did you know "flowers" still bloom at "midnight"?
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