The Purpose of the Earth

[CoreyD]

Scientists and Creationists alike, believe our planet earth will be destroyed.

Spoiler: Scientists View

Today, the sun is an essential source of gravity and energy. But one day, it will cause Earth's demise. As the solar system's central star ages, its life cycle will eventually consume our blue marble.

So how long does Earth have until the planet is swallowed by the sun? Expected time of death: several billion years from now. But life on Earth will end much, much sooner than that.

Earth will become unlivable for most organisms in about 1.3 billion years due to the sun's natural evolution, experts told Live Science. And humans could potentially drive ourselves (and countless other species) to extinction within the next few centuries, if the current pace of human-made climate change isn't mitigated, or as a consequence of nuclear war.
Today, the sun is an essential source of gravity and energy. But one day, it will cause Earth's demise. As the solar system's central star ages, its life cycle will eventually consume our blue marble.

Source: How long will Earth exist?

Creationists use 2 Peter 3:5-7 as the basis for their belief that our planet earth will be destroyed.

What does the Bible say about planet earth, and it's purpose?
God created the earth for mankind to live on. To be man's dwelling place - their home.
Isaiah 45:18

For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens - He is God; He formed the earth and fashioned it; He established it; He did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited: “I am the LORD, and there is no other.

Psalm 115:16

The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth He has given to mankind.

Has God changed his mind about his purpose, for the earth?
God answers:
I, the LORD, do not change. Malachi 3:6
The righteous will inherit the earth and dwell in it forever. Psalm 37:29

Has God decided that planet earth is too bad to live on, and so decides to totally destroy it?
God answers:
A generation goes and a generation comes, But the earth remains forever. Ecclesiastes 1:4
He built His sanctuary like the heights, like the earth He has established forever. Psalm 78:69
He established the earth upon its foundations, So that it will not totter forever and ever. Psalm 104:5

Thus, the earth remains forever, and righteous mankind will inhabit it, forever.
God's purpose for the earth will be a reality.

What will conditions be like on the earth, when the righteous inherit it?

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Dunno, about you.

But the sequence of sun blowing up and then sucking everything into a black hole sounds like some depictions in scripture.

Such as the lake of fire, and the outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

[CoreyD]

Dunno, about you.

But the sequence of sun blowing up and then sucking everything into a black hole sounds like some depictions in scripture.

Which scripture?

Such as the lake of fire, and the outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.

I'm not sure what the lake of fire has to to with the earth. Can you explain.
Do you agree with scripture, that the lake of fire represents the second death? Revelation 20:14

Also, are you saying that the scriptures in the OP are wrong, or not saying what they say?

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Also, are you saying that the scriptures in the OP are wrong, or not saying what they say?

In the judgment, the old heaven and the old earth are incinerated.

This is why a new heaven and a new earth are prepared for the new era.

 

[CoreyD]

In the judgment, the old heaven and the old earth are incinerated.

This is why a new heaven and a new earth are prepared for the new era.

Is that a yes?

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Is that a yes?

No, it means you don't understand what the scriptures say. Feel free to read the bible again.

 

[CoreyD]

No, it means you don't understand what the scriptures say. Feel free to read the bible again.

Thank you. If the scriptures in the OP are correct, and saying what they say, then everything in the OP is correct, since the OP only uses scripture. Nothing else.

Why do you say I don't understand what the scriptures say? You don't think they are wrong, so I do not understand the reason for your comment.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Thank you. If the scriptures in the OP are correct, and saying what they say, then everything in the OP is correct, since the OP only uses scripture. Nothing else.

Why do you say I don't understand what the scriptures say? You don't think they are wrong, so I do not understand the reason for your comment.

Well, I'm not playing scripture vs scripture. Your viewpoint requires more balance.

 

[CoreyD]

Well, I'm not playing scripture vs scripture. Your viewpoint requires more balance.

I do not understand your argument.
If nothing in the OP is wrong, then the problem is not with me, or the scriptures.
There must be a basis for making the accusations you are making, other than, "I believe this, so you are wrong because I must be right... because I believe it."

 

[CoreyD]

Well, I'm not playing scripture vs scripture. Your viewpoint requires more balance.

You mentioned, "my viewpoint".

God did not create the earth to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited. Isaiah 45:18
God gave the earth to mankind. Psalm 115:16
God does not change, but keeps his word. Malachi 3:6; Isaiah 55:10, 11
The righteous will inherit the earth and dwell in it forever. Psalm 37:29
A generation goes and a generation comes, But the earth remains forever. Ecclesiastes 1:4
God has established the earth forever. Psalm 78:69 So that it will not totter forever and ever. Psalm 104:5

Are these the Bible's viewpoint, or my viewpoint?
If I agree with the Bible's viewpoint, am I wrong for doing so?

 

[Gregory Thompson]

I do not understand your argument.
If nothing in the OP is wrong, then the problem is not with me, or the scriptures.
There must be a basis for making the accusations you are making, other than, "I believe this, so you are wrong because I must be right... because I believe it."

You mentioned, "my viewpoint".

God did not create the earth to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited. Isaiah 45:18
God gave the earth to mankind. Psalm 115:16
God does not change, but keeps his word. Malachi 3:6; Isaiah 55:10, 11
The righteous will inherit the earth and dwell in it forever. Psalm 37:29
A generation goes and a generation comes, But the earth remains forever. Ecclesiastes 1:4
God has established the earth forever. Psalm 78:69 So that it will not totter forever and ever. Psalm 104:5

Are these the Bible's viewpoint, or my viewpoint?
If I agree with the Bible's viewpoint, am I wrong for doing so?

When one cuts scriptures out of the bible to create a montage, it remains their viewpoint.

 

[CoreyD]

When one cuts scriptures out of the bible to create a montage, it remains their viewpoint.

Is this how you view the use of scripture?
In that case, in your view, Jesus Matthew 4:4-10; Matthew 19:4-6; Matthew 21:13; Matthew 26:24, 31; Mark 7:6-8; Paul Acts 17:2-11, and of course other disciples of Christ had their viewpoint... However, that is not true.
They all had God's viewpoint, which is what the OP points out - God's viewpoint. Not the poster's.

If you really believed that it was the poster's viewpoint, you would be able to say, and point out what false statement was made in the OP. The fact that you cannot, or did not do that, says that there is nothing in the OP that is not the scriptural view.
Some persons look for arguments, by posting an assertion, so that the poster argues against it, and that person can then have a meaningless back and forth argument, that just leads nowhere

I take a different approach.
Any argument one wants to make, will be against scripture. Not me.

The scriptures are God-breathed and useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness 2 Timothy 3:16
So, it is important to use them as the authority, to "destroy people's defenses, that is, their arguments... raised against the knowledge of God" 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5

This has to be done, because there are people like yourself, who believe that their interpretation, is solely right, and serves as the authority over scripture.
So, it is easy for them to simply declare their interpretation - such as, for example... "the sequence of sun blowing up and then sucking everything into a black hole sounds like some depictions in scripture."; "In the judgment, the old heaven and the old earth are incinerated." as fact, and then expect others to accept it, without the person needing to use any scripture to support their assertion, or answer any questions that would challenge their assertions.

If one finds there is a conflict with an interpretation, and scripture, then the honest thing to do, is adjust, or discard the interpretation.
Think of it like science...
Scientist have to interpret the evidence, if it is not direct evidence, that is.
So, if their interpretation, comes into conflict with direct evidence found, what do they do? They adjust, or discard their interpretation. They were wrong, as the evidence shows.

It is the same with the Bible.
The Bible is written for instruction. It contains the truth.
Jesus and his followers used scripture, to prove what is.
The Bible is not a book that cannot prove anything. There are scriptures that are like direct evidence, which need no interpretation.

Hence, when people say, "In the judgment, the old heaven and the old earth are incinerated.", or this planet earth will be destroyed, their belief finds conflict with direct scriptural truth.
Those people thus have a few options:

1. Adjust their viewpoint on how they interpret the verse, at 2 Peter 3:5-7. Some have done that.
2. Ignore the scriptures in the OP
3. Rip those scriptures from the Bible

The best, and wisest option, is the first.
The latter, may make one feel comfortable in their belief system, but it gets them nowhere with God.

So here is what we can do.
I'll give you an opportunity to show me where the scriptures in the OP are not direct truths, needing no interpretation.
You point out those scriptures which do not mean what they say.
Remember, I gave you that opportunity before, and you said there are none.
However, in case you changed you mind, here is a second chance.

Otherwise, I take it you are not satisfied with the OP, simply because you want your interpretation to be the authority on what is truth.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

I take a different approach.
Any argument one wants to make, will be against scripture. Not me.

Except ... you're not God.

 

[CoreyD]

Except ... you're not God.

Thank God.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Thank God.

Indeed. Therefore, your quoting of scripture does not speak for God.

 

[CoreyD]

Indeed. Therefore, your quoting of scripture does not speak for God.

Sorry you feel that way.
The scriptures do speak for God. I do not know of Christians who don't believe that.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Sorry you feel that way.
The scriptures do speak for God. I do not know of Christians who don't believe that.

I'm sorry that you cannot tell the difference between the scriptures and your interpretation.

 

[CoreyD]

I'm sorry that you cannot tell the difference between the scriptures and your interpretation.

Have a good day Gregory.

 

[Paul4JC]

In Scripture, the earth is never called a planet. It is the earth. Planets are "wandering stars," per Jude v13

The earth was once destroyed by water and will be destroyed once by fire. The earth itself doesn't need to be destroyed to destroy everything on earth's face by water or by fire.

We look forward to a resurrection. So does creation, including the heavens and the earth.

[Gen 7:23 NIV] Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; people and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark.

[2Pe 3:6-7 NIV] By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

[2Pe 3:13 NIV] But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

[Rev 21:1 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.

[Rom 8:19-21 NIV] For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

[1Co 15:42 NIV] So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable;

 

[CoreyD]

In Scripture, the earth is never called a planet. It is the earth. Planets are "wandering stars," per Jude v13

Thank you.
I use planet so as to avoid confusion, and to be specific, since the Bible uses earth also to refer to the inhabitants, and people believe earth means only land.
So, I try to avoid any misunderstanding of what I am referring to.

The earth was once destroyed by water and will be destroyed once by fire.

Thank you.
This is an example of how easily words can lead to confusion.
Some night not understand the word destroy to mean ruin, and it would require explaining... as you did in your next statement.

The earth itself doesn't need to be destroyed to destroy everything on earth's face by water or by fire.

I agree. ... but in trying to explain, you used a contradiction.
You said "The earth was once destroyed". Then you said, "The earth itself doesn't need to be destroyed".
There is a term used for this. It's called a paradox.

I know what you mean, but you can see the confusion.
So, it is easier to say that the earth was ruined by the flood, and everything on the earth was destroyed, with the exception of what was above the waters.

When we read the Bible, as it was originally written at Genesis 6:12,13, 17, we see the Hebrew word used in all three verses, is shachath which Strong's says perhaps means to go to ruin.
At Genesis 6:12,13, 17, we read...
12 So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.
13 And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
17 And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die.

The translators saw the need to make a distinction, and rightly so, because it does not make sense to say the earth was destroyed, and then say God was going to destroy the earth.

We know that these ancient languages have more than one meaning, and the context determines the word usage.
However, I think you understand, and I am glad to see that you understand that the literal earth will not go.
This harmonizes with the scriptures that say the earth is here to stay, forever.

A problem I will focus on is the idea that God will destroy or ruin the earth using literal fire.
This is a problem for two reasons.
One reason is that God promised, “I will never again curse the ground because of the human race, even though everything they think or imagine is bent toward evil from childhood. I will never again destroy all living things." Genesis 8:21

If God destroys the earth by fire, he would break his promise.

We look forward to a resurrection. So does creation, including the heavens and the earth.

[Gen 7:23 NIV] Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; people and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark.

[2Pe 3:6-7 NIV] By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

[2Pe 3:13 NIV] But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

[Rev 21:1 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.

[Rom 8:19-21 NIV] For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

[1Co 15:42 NIV] So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable;

The second reason for the idea that God will destroy the earth by literal fire, is that the words of Peter, do not suggest destruction by literal fire.
Please see this post. There is more in the thread, about the heavens and sea, not being literal.
If you like, we can discuss it further.