Today’s reading:
2 Peter 3:8-13
“Nevertheless, we, according to his promise look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwellers righteousness” (v. 13)
In Gen 1:1, we read that in the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. In 2 Cor. 12:2, Apostle Paul mentioned about a man in Christ, who was caught up to the third heaven. Incidentally, there are no scriptures that tell of the exact number of heavens, but there are mentions of God living in heaven with is his hosts, angels, the living creatures and those already and others yet to be granted salvation. Virtually all the authors of the books of the Bible mention about heaven, in one way or the other. Prominent among them are the Psalmists. Even Jesus prayed that the will of his Father (God) be done on earth, as it is done in heaven (Matt. 6:10). Apostle John in the book of Revelations recorded vivid visions of the “future heaven”. The earth is occupied by God’s creations, including “man”, whom He made as both male and female (Gen. 1:27). God said in Is. 66:1 and Acts 7:49, that the heaven is His throne and the earth is his foot stool. The earth is also mentioned in many scriptures, in one way or the other.
It is interesting to note that the earth and heaven created at the beginning, mentioned in Gen 1:1, apparently would be “old” and will give way to new heavens and a new earth! This fact is buttressed by prophesies in: Mk. 13:31, Matt. 24:35, where it is said that heaven and earth will pass away. In Today’s reading in V 12, it is said that the heaven, being on fire, shall be dissolved. In v 10, it is also said that the heaven will pass away with a great noise….and the earth and all the works that are in it shall be burnt up. The vision given to Apostle John in Rev. 20:11 was such that the earth and the heaven fled away from the face of him that sat on the throne (God) and no place was found for them. Gladly enough, in Rev. 21:1 it is recorded that Apostle John then saw a “new heaven and a new earth”, and the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.
The question to ask is – why look forward to new heavens and a new earth? As given in our Today’s reading in verse 13. The answer can be found in Rev. 21:2-5, 10 where Apostle John saw in his vision, new Jerusalem coming down from God out of the New heaven to the New earth and he heard a voice out of heaven saying that the tabernacle of God is with men and He will dwell with them, He shall be their God and they his people. He said He shall wipe away all tears, there shall be no more death nor sorrow nor crying, no more pain, and former things will pass away. He said further that He would make all things new, given to him that thirst water from the fountain of the water of life freely. He concluded that the one who overcomes shall inherit all things, and the will be his God and he shall be his son. Given this insight, into a beautiful new heaven and a new earth, in which is Jerusalem, God’s city, it is reasonable and wise to find out how one can qualify for them.
From our Today’s reading, (vv. 13-18). The first qualification in verse13 is righteousness. However, since we have no righteousness of our own, but that of Christ, we have to fall back on him for our salvation (v. 15). Once saved, we automatically are given the righteousness of God through Christ (2 Cor. 5:21). Other qualifications are: diligence, to be found at peace, without spot, blameless, steadfastness (v. 17); and growth in grace (v. 18).
Once qualified, all the listed benefits to be found and enjoyed in the new heaven and earth become the person’s. It is also important to note that the opposite of these and much more await anyone who arrives in hell. It is worth looking forward for new heavens and a new earth.
CHRISTIE KUPOLUYI
Prayer:
Father in heaven, thank you for your beautiful creation, in Jesus name.
Father we appreciate your thoughtfulness in designing new heavens and new earth for the future and benefit of mankind, in Jesus name.
Precious Lord Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice that gives us salvation
Lord, please help us in all ways to work towards qualifying for the new heaven and new earth, with the new Jerusalem
Father, make the church to wake up and raise qualified people for the new heavens and earth.
Father, help to turn our nation around, such that we begin to taste the benefits of the new heaven and earth from here and now.
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