TEXT:  2 Pet. 3:8-13

INTRODUCTION:

A.      WHEN JESUS COMES, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO/ON EARTH?

B.      WHERE WILL THE FAITHFUL BE REWARDED?

C.      THE BIBLE HAS THE ANSWER TO THESE QUESTIONS.

I.      WHAT WILL BE THE CONDITION OF EARTH WHILE IT REMAINS?

A.      SOME TEACH THE EARTH WILL BE LEFT BARREN & SPECULATE HOW.

B.      WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?( Gen. 8:22;  Isa. 45:18 ).

          1.       Both good and bad will inhabit the earth till the end ( Mat. 13:36-43 ).

          2.       But we have this warning( Luke 21:33-36 ).

II.     SOME CLAIM THE EARTH WILL ABIDE ETERNALLY.

A.      THE PASSAGE USED( Ecc. 1:4 ).

          1.       The key - the context of Ecc. itself.  From the perspective of one man's life.

          2.       It helps to understand some uses of the word "forever."

                   a.       Some places "a very long time" or "as long as intended."

                             ie.,Passover(Ex.12:17),Slavery(21:5-6),Sabbath(31:16-17)

                   b.       Rom. 7:4-6;  Gal. 4:8-11;  Col. 2:14-17.

B.      WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH?

          1.       Mat. 24:35;  Psa. 102:25-27.

          2.       Contrasted with God whose years shall not fail( Heb.1:10-12 )

          3.       2 Pet. 3:8-13.

III.    WHAT ABOUT THIS "NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH?

A.      JW'S TEACH THIS WILL BE THE DWELLING PLACE FOR ALL BUT A FEW

          THRUOUT ETERNITY - THIS WILL BE RENOVATED, PARKLIKE.

B.      THIS TERM DESCRIBES 2 PROMISES, THE FIRST GIVEN TO THE JEWS

          ( Isa. 65:12-25 ).

          1.       Return from Babylonian captivity, prophesied( 48:12-20 ). 

                   see also( 51:11-16 ).

          2.       Deliverance from slavery - A New Heaven & New Earth.

          3.       Promise also looked beyond captivity to where God could once again be

                             worshiped according to his law.  Fulfilled ultimately in Jesus( 66:20-24 ).

C.      THIS PROMISE HAS ALREADY BEEN FULFILLED.  THE NT PROMISE

          HAS NOT ( 2 Pet. 3:13 ).

          1.       NH&NE follow the destruction of this world, but that doesn't come till after

                             judgment( 2 Pet. 3:7 ).  Therefore, it can't refer to a "millennium" on earth.

          2.       Also what happens to the wicked on the day of judgment?( Rev. 20:11-15 ).

          3.       Then comes the NH&NE of the 21rst chapter.  Simply describes the eternal

                             abode of the righteous, whatever God provides.

IV.   WHERE IS THE ETERNAL ABODE OF THE FAITHFUL?

A.      THE PERSECUTED( Mat. 5:10-12 ).

B.      WHAT DID HE TELL THOSE WHO REJECTED HIM?

          1.       John 7:33-34. "Ye cannot come!"  Not earth, already there.

          2.       13:33-36.  The 12 would go there.  Someplace else.

          3.       Where did Jesus go?( 14:1-2 )  Why?( vs. 3 ).

C.      THIS PROMISE IS FOR ALL DISCIPLES( 1 Pet.1:3-5; 1 Thes.4:16-17 )

CONCLUSION:  NO HEAVEN ON EARTH!

A.      DO YOU WANT TO LIVE FOREVER WITH GOD IN HEAVEN?

B.      THE PROMISE IS FOR ALL!