JOSEPH W. TKACH
PASTOR GENERAL

July 1987

Dear Friend:

You asked for an explanation of II Peter 3:10. Was Peter talking about the total destruction of the EARTH?

Notice what the context tells us: "But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition [destruction] of ungodly men" (II Pet. 3:7). This fire is the judgment of incorrigible sinners. This is the LAKE OF FIRE, which is the second death (Rev. 20:14), the unquenchable fire that will burn up the unrepentant (Matt. 3:12).

Peter goes on to describe the effects of this unquenchable fire: "In the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up" (II Pet. 3:10).

An unquenchable fire is one that cannot be put out. It burns until it has consumed all combustible material. Then it dies out for lack of anything else to consume. Everything will be burned up except for spirit beings, who are not affected by physical fire.

Peter used the example of Noah's Flood as a type of the future cleansing of the earth by fire: "Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished" (II Pet. 3:6). Just as the earth continued to exist after the Flood, so it will continue to exist after the coming worldwide "Gehenna" fire.

Continuing with the context of II Peter 3, in verse 13 we find that "we ... look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." In the book of Revelation the new heavens and new earth are mentioned immediately after the account of the lake of fire. "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away [by fire]; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven ... the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them [on the earth]" (Rev. 21:1-3). The EARTH WILL STILL EXIST (Eccl. 1:4).

The simple explanation of II Peter 3:10, then, is that the surface of the earth and everything physical on it, including the incorrigible wicked, will be destroyed by fire. God will then renew the earth's surface and make it a glorious habitation for Himself and the rest of the God Kingdom (Rev. 21, 22).

We hope you will let us know whenever we can be of further assistance.

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT