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2 Peter 3:11-13
In 2 Peter 3:10 (NKJV) Peter tells of the heavens and the earth and all that are in them being “burned up”. “Therefore,” as Peter begin verse 11, because of these happenings, the Apostle Peter asks what manner of persons should you be “in holy conduct and godliness.” We are reminded here who it is that Peter is speaking to: “To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1b). Peter says that we should look forward to the coming of this day because as he states in 2 Peter 3:13, “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” John, through Godly inspired revelation, tells of the new heaven and new earth in Revelation 21:1-8. He also tells of who will be there and who will not, which is an indicator to seek repentance and forgiveness that we may partake of our place in Christ for all eternity.
This is a promise of the day of judgment.
This is a promise of the new heaven and new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Peter tells us in 2 Peter 3:13, “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” This same verse in the (NIV) states, “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.” I list both of these interpretations because of the importance of the beginning phrase, “Nevertheless we, according to His promise,” or “But in keeping with his promise” are the same in meaning but the words chosen by the interpreters are slightly different in relaying the message of the text and help us, by reading both, to gain a better understanding of the message being sent: that in looking for a new heaven and a new earth we are to do so, “according to His promise” or “in keeping with his promise.”
So, what is His promise? His promise is that through living, “in holy conduct and godliness” (2 Peter 3:12) we are hasting His coming. His promise is His own patience in longsuffering to the will of man to repent and come to Him through forgiveness and salvation in His one and only Son Christ Jesus, whom He sent to save the world from sin (John 3:16-17). There is a reason why John 3:16 is the most memorized verse in the Bible, and that is because we so long for it to be true, yet have trouble breaking free from the sinful nature to believe in it. God’s promise is found throughout the Bible; an additional favorite of mine is John 1:12-13 which states, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” This is the same birth that Jesus told Nicodemus about in John 3 of which leads to the most memorized verse of John 3:16. Connecting these biblical and theological truths of the Bible is the personal blessing that God gives each of us as we seek to learn of them. But we have to open our Bibles and study them each day for this to happen. God wants and desires to give us these blessings in Christ, but we have to dedicate ourselves to Him as is His desire for us. All of this while keeping in mind that these writings of Peter are, “To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1b). Salvation starts with Jesus. Everlasting life starts with Jesus. Forgiveness starts with Jesus. Jesus tells us in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Dear LORD,
The Apostle Peter explains these things to us very well, but we have to open our Bibles and read them to gain an understanding of the wonderful life You have for each one of us in Your Son, our Savior and the Savior of the world Jesus Christ, whom You sent to save the world from sin (John 3:16-17) which contains the most memorized verse in the Bible. Please help us to gain a better understanding of the Bible as we read and study it each day and give us the strength to apply our lives to following Jesus and hasten His return through our obedience to Him. In Jesus name I pray, amen.