Heaven, How Amazing Is It? Part 1 of "Heaven and Hell"Sample

Will the earth be destroyed or restored?

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. (2 Peter 3:10)

Will God create an entirely new earth or will He restore the earth and heavens?

A number of biblical texts seem to indicate that heaven and earth will be destroyed. 2 Peter 3:10 speaks of elements perishing by fire, and the earth and the works upon it will burn up. Revelation 21:1 makes it clear that the first earth and heaven have passed away. Yet many theologians agree that the texts indicate not destruction but restoration. There are good reasons to believe that 2 Peter 3:10 should be translated as follows: the works of the earth will be brought to light (and not burnt up). Moreover, this passage is in the context of the flood - 2 Peter 3:6 says that the world perished by being overflowed with water. Clearly, what is meant here is that everything ón the earth perished, but the earth itself remained.

Romans 8:21 also seems to point to restoration - creation will be freed from "the bondage of corruption".

Be that as it may, God will ensure that the new heavens and earth will be as He intended them to be. Righteousness will dwell there. The earth will be full of the knowledge of the glory of God (Habakkuk 2:14). Imagine: no more injustice, no more wrongs, no more abuse. Sorrow, sin, death and pain will be things of the past. Nature will be restored. More on the latter in the next lesson.

How do you picture an earth where justice dwells?