Welcome to another edition of From the Pastor's Pen. My name is Pastor Carl Miller, and I'm the pastor of Heritage Presbyterian Church in New Braunfels, Texas. We are continuing in our series on Heaven and Hell, and today's edition is entitled, Heaven and the New Heavens and New Earth. Our focus text comes from 2 Peter chapter 3, verses 10 through 13. And there we read, But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat. Both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless, we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Well, amen. Praise God for his word. As we continue our devotion series on heaven and hell, it's good to be aware of and study the reality and significance of the new heavens and new earth. Considering this glorious doctrine, will this new creation and restoration affect heaven, where Jesus sits on his throne and believers who have died enjoy his presence? Are we living in the new heavens and new earth now, as some claim? Or are the events the Apostle Peter speaks of in 2 Peter 3 still to come? Further, will heaven as it exists now be changed in connection with the new earth in the divine act the Apostle Peter speaks of in 2 Peter 3? How are we to understand this? Well, what does Scripture teach? The claim that we are living in the new heavens and new earth falls flat examining the text in 2 Peter 3 alone. Notice how Peter connects God's act of bringing about restoration with the day of the Lord in verse 10. Notice also how Peter uses the same language the Apostle Paul does in 1 Thessalonians 5 verse 2 regarding the arrival of the day of the Lord, which will be the day of Christ's return, being as, quote, a thief in the night, end quote. Indeed, Christ's return is still to come. And it will be the day of shocking terror for the wicked, but a great joy and comfort and blessing for God's people. Peter also teaches us about how that restoration will occur. Things will have come full circle. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth, Genesis 1-1. And in the end, God will create a new heavens and a new earth, Isaiah 65, verse 17, Isaiah 66, 22, Revelation 20, verse 11, and Revelation 21, verse 1. God reveals through Peter that the current heavens and earth will be dissolved. It won't be a quiet and minor ordeal either. The heavens will pass away with great noise. The elements will melt. The Greek word for dissolution literally describes total destruction. Peter says this destruction will be by fire. And if you think about it, the melting of the elements with a fervent scorching heat that Peter speaks of will likely occur at the subatomic level to bring about complete dissolution. And yet the destruction of this world won't be the end of creation, but its renewal. Romans 8 verses 19 through 21. Hebrews 12, 26 through 28 speak to this. The psalmist declares in Psalm 102, verses 26 and 27, that God will change it like changing a cloak, yet he will stay the same. Now thinking about what God did in Genesis compared to what will come, which he reveals in Revelation, many things may come to mind. For example, consider the paradise of the garden God created and put Adam in, coupled with the new and final paradise to come that far exceeds it. Whereas this world became a home to sin after the fall, Peter says the new heavens and earth will be the promised place in which righteousness dwells. Verse 13, we also see this in Isaiah 32, verse 16. Considering the importance of the tabernacle, which was full of creation imagery, the apostle John points us to the ultimate tabernacle, the presence of God as he dwells with his people. Revelation 21 verses 3 and 4. Now as the new heavens, meaning the first and second heavens, and the earth are ushered in, what will be true of heaven, meaning the third heaven, as it is now where Christ reigns and is preparing a place for you? Will it be renewed? No. There is no need. It's the holy dwelling place of God. It isn't defiled by sin and under the curse. Marvelously, heaven and earth will be reunited, and we will live there with our Creator forever, seeing Him face to face. Louis Burkhoff helpfully comments in his discussion of the final state in his systematic theology, saying, quote, It's only after the new creation has been established that the new Jerusalem descends out of heaven from God, that the tabernacle of God is pitched among men, and that the righteous enter upon their eternal joy, end quote. How does Burkhoff know that this will be true? once again from John's description in Revelation 21. In verse 2, John writes that he saw, quote, the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband, end quote. So what is this New Jerusalem? It's the church, the bride of Christ, in its new and perfect state. In addition, John teaches us what will be true in the new heavens and new earth by what won't be there. First, we see that there will be no more sea, Revelation 21 verse 1. Secondly, no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain, Revelation 21 verse 4. Thirdly, no more curse, Revelation 22 verse 3. And fourthly, no more night, for the Lord God will give us light. Revelation 22 verse 5. Therefore, much like the Apostle Paul's instruction to Thessalonica and all of God's people to be watchful and sober as we patiently await Christ's return, We need to take to heart and heed Peter's instruction that knowing all these things will be dissolved, ought to inform and motivate our diligence in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, as he says in verse 13. I pray that all that our Lord reveals regarding heaven and the new heavens and new earth deepens your wonder of and fuels your study of eschatology. As he has revealed much as well as has left much to remain mystery, may we go where scripture goes and stop where it stops. in our pursuit of having a right understanding and application of the truth. Praise God for what He has shown you in His Word. Be faithful in obedience now, and look forward with hope and joy for that which He will reveal when Christ returns and takes you home. Well, amen. Praise God for his word, and I hope that this has been a blessing to you today. I hope you'll join me again next time for another edition of From the Pastor's Pen. God bless you, and I'll see you then.