Originally posted by Josiah
ROFLOL!!!
I don't see how he didn't see that the FIRST time...
Oh I saw it! LOLOL
Shall we examine it now or would you rather continue rolling on the floor??
What "earth" did Peter say would be burned up?
2 Peter 3:5-7
For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
Peter says that the world consisted of heaven and earth, and that they were destroyed by water and perished. We know that substance of neither heaven or earth was destroyed, but it was the evil men that were destroyed. Peter makes a distinction between the heaven and earth of Noah's day, which were destroyed and the heaven and earth that existed then which were to be destroyed by fire. The literal visible fabric of heaven and earth were the same after the flood as they were before the flood. The destruction of heaven and earth refers to the civil and religious state, and the men of them. What was it that really perished in the flood? Look at verse 6 -- by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. It was the world that perished, right? Now what does the word world mean? It is the orderly arrangement of society, it
wasn't the dirt. Now how do you go from an ungodly society that was destroyed to the destruction of the entire universe??? The literal earth was not destroyed. What is to be destroyed is the ungodly nation of Israel. Nowhere do the Scriptures teach that the physical creation will be destroyed. Notice what God said after the flood of Noah's day.
Genesis 8:21
And the LORD smelled a soothing aroma. Then the LORD said in His heart, "I will never again curse the ground for man's sake, although the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done.
Now, folks will say that the Lord destroyed the earth by water one time and He'll destroy it by fire the next time. Is God's promise here to just change his method of destroying everything. Is there comfort in being destroyed by fire instead of water? Or is he promising not to destroy the earth again?
Psalms 148:4-6
Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, And you waters above the heavens! 5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, For He commanded and they were created. 6 He also established them forever and ever; He made a decree which shall not pass away.
What decree did God make concerning the establishment of the heaven and the earth that will never pass away.? Genesis 8:21! God said that he would
never again destroy every living thing. God can be trusted, He keeps his word.
Isaiah 1:1-2
The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. 2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the LORD has spoken: "I have nourished and brought up children, And they have rebelled against Me;
Who is God speaking to here the physical creation? No, he is speaking to
Israel. I think we can see this idea clearly if we look at Isaiah 51
Isaiah 51:15-16
But I am the LORD your God, Who divided the sea whose waves roared; The LORD of hosts is His name. 16 And I have put My words in your mouth; I have covered you with the shadow of My hand, That I may plant the heavens, Lay the foundations of the earth, And say to Zion, 'You are My people.'"
The time of planting the heavens and laying the foundation of the earth that is referred to here, was performed by God
after He divided the sea (ver. 15) and gave the law (ver. 16), and said to Zion, Thou art my people; that is, when He took the children of Israel out of Egypt, and formed them in the wilderness into a covenant nation. He planted the heavens and laid the foundation of the earth: that is, brought forth order, and government.
The "Heavens and earth God created in Isaiah 51,
after He parted the sea were the "heavens and earth" Peter said would perish By fire.
Neither of these refer to the planet and outer space, but both refer to Old Covenant Israel.
Hope this helps!
If you still disagree, and think "heavens and eareth" of 2 Peter 3 means "Planet and outerspace", go ahead and use the scriptures I cited to show how they do not mean what I contend they mean.
Good Luck!!
YBIC,
P70