What He Will Do with Heaven and Earth, Part 2

2 Peter 3:1-13 Return of Jesus in N.T. Belief & Experience

Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds 2 Peter 3:1-13, continuing his series on the Second Coming of Christ by addressing the future of the physical creation. He argues that at Christ's return, the present heavens and earth will undergo a radical renovation by purifying fire, not annihilation, resulting in new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells. Martin refutes skepticism by highlighting the historical precedent of the Flood, God's different relationship to time, and His long-suffering for the salvation of sinners. He applies these truths by calling unbelievers to repentance and believers to a God-oriented perspective on time, a concern for others' salvation, godly living, and earnest longing for Christ's return.

4 illustrations in this sermon

The Radical Renovation of Creation: Creation, Fall, Redemption Grid

compare analogy

Twin Towers of Biblical Revelation

Driving home: Renovation is not annihilation and replacement. God is not done with old planet Earth.

The passages 2 Peter 3 and Romans 8 are likened to the prominent World Trade Center Twin Towers in Manhattan, signifying their importance in the landscape of biblical revelation concerning the future of the earth.

It will neither be marginal nor minimal, but a radical renovation of the physical creation. And then I promised you we would look at what I call the twin towers on the landscape of biblical revelation. As surely as the World Trade Center and the Twin Towers, the Twin Towers are prominent in the landscape of Manhattan. So likewise, when we look at the landscape of biblical revelation with the question, what will happen at the return of Christ?

9:45 - 10:19 Read in full sermon

Peter's Devastating Response: Expanded Prophetic Announcement of the Day of the Lord

format_quote quotation

Lenski on Varieties of Fire

In this part of the sermon: Peter expands on the certainty and nature of the Day of the Lord, which will come 'as a thief,' with the heavens passing away with a great noise, elements dissolving with fervent…

Martin quotes Lutheran commentator Lenski, who states that God has all varieties of fire at His disposal (wood, lightning, sun, hellfire) and can create new forms, to counter questions about the specific nature of the purifying fire.

At the coming of Christ, that I've stated that the coming of Christ, there will be this radical intrusion resulting in renovation by the what purifying presence of the Lord Jesus by fire, what kind of fire again, I love the old Lutheran commentator at times, his strict Biblicism, Lenski says. Do not ask for fire. Do not ask for fire. Do not ask for fire.

33:57 - 34:28 Read in full sermon

compare analogy

God's Affectionate 'Dummy'

Martin uses the analogy of God affectionately calling him 'dummy' when repeating a point in Scripture, clarifying that it's not a harsh rebuke but a loving way to get his attention and ensure understanding, similar to how God calls His people 'sheep'.

Here he underscores using much of the same language from verse 10. Which was an expansion of verse 7. God is saying, okay dummies, you got what I'm telling you. That's when I read a passage like this.

37:03 - 37:16 Read in full sermon

Application to Believers: Mandates for Godly Living and Longing

compare analogy

Airport Loved One Waiting

The point: Cultivate godly longing and earnest desiring for the coming of the day of God and the new heavens and new earth.

The eager, stretched-neck posture of someone waiting for a loved one at international airport arrivals is used to illustrate the 'looking for and earnestly desiring' attitude believers should have for the coming of the day of God.

One of the verbs used here is a graphic one. And I was trying to think of an illustration. I thought of the many times when I've been at Newark Airport or years past out at Kennedy. And someone knows that a loved one has come in at the international arrivals and they know they've got to go through customs and immigrations and get their luggage and all the rest.

54:33 - 54:54 Read in full sermon

headphones Listen to full sermon