[2Pe 3:1, 13, 16 NIV] 1 Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking…13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 16 He (Paul) writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters.
I love the word that Peter uses to stimulate what type of thinking we should have, “wholesome.” This is a powerful word. When asked what “wholesome” means, most people respond “good.” It does mean “good,” but it also means “whole” or complete. This seems obvious, however it is often curtailed.
Notice how in verse 13 Peter says the complete promise he is thinking about is the new heaven and new earth, where righteousness dwells.
For years, I didn’t understand this promise. Unfortunately, it was because I was never taught it until I was a young adult. Many Christians living today don’t know about or misunderstand this promise as well. They believe when saved their eternal existence is only as a spirit being in a spiritual heaven in the sky. Earth or the natural realm is not a part of their eternal picture. I believe this is why so many are trying to cram as much as they can into their bucket list. Based on God’s promise, we have eternity to enjoy heaven and earth, therefore we can be patient and place his redemption interests first. In fact, Jesus also promised a material and spiritual reward upon his return for all who do. (Matt 16:27, 19:28-30, Eph 6:8, Rev 22:12)
[Eph 1:9-10 NIV] He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment–to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
[Rev 21:1-3 NIV] Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God… And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
[Mat 5:5 NIV] Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
[Luk 24:38-39 NIV] He (Jesus) said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (Jn 14:6). In his resurrected state he still had flesh and bones within his glorified body. He is the first fruit vision of our future. (1 Cr 15:23)
Within these passages the apostles reveal to us God’s ultimate will, which is to bring heaven and earth together again. One day we will experience Earth with God fully present again! Heaven and Earth will be completely renewed from the fall. It will be like Eden when God the Father walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden (Gen 3:8). The Universe will be made “whole” once again.
I love Jesus’s first coming to the Earth! With this being said, I desire to be like the disciples and long for the second coming of Christ even more. What a family celebration that will be! As a reminder of this glorious promise, I started a new advent tradition. Along with reading of Christ’s first coming, which revealed the fullness of his humanity, I study his second coming which reveals the fullness of his deity. I encourage you to consider this as well. I promise you will be very blessed in doing so. Wishing you all the best this holiday season!
Grace and Peace, Andy Anderson