Letter to Some Brethren on 2 Peter 3 Regarding the Destruction of the Heavens and the Earth

By Tom Huber
(2004)

Dear Brethren,

Due to the recent discussion on 2 Peter 3, I felt I should present my understandings in a verse by verse format. I believe this will present my opinions in a clearer manner. I hope that what I have presented below is received as a reasonable understanding of these texts. I am not necessarily looking for acceptance of this understanding. I am fairly confident that most will not understand these texts as I have presented them. I just want to show that there is a credible basis for what I believe to be true, and that nothing in what follows is against sound doctrine. Thank you for your time, and patience. Signature at the end.

 The apostle Peter shortly before the destruction of Jerusalem wrote 2 Peter. It is generally believed both of Peter’s epistles were written about 66-67 A.D.

Chapter Three deals with apostate, and unbelieving Jews who were denying the coming of Christ in judgment. Was this Christ’s coming in judgment in 70 A.D, or was it His coming at the end of time?

 2 Peter 3 is a more detailed account of the judgment Peter had briefly dealt with in 1Pet. 4:7-19.

1Pe 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

I believe this is speaking of the end of the Jewish worship system, which would be destroyed in about three to five years. The word “at hand” indicates a very near event, as in, the kingdom of heaven is “at hand”.

1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

Not long after the writing of this letter, Nero began his persecution of the “Church”. I am of the opinion that this ‘fiery trial” may have been that persecution. Those who were to experience this “fiery” trial were called “beloved” by Peter. 

1Pe 4:17 For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?

I believe the “beginning” of this judgment was mainly against the Jewish Church, here called, “the house of God”. Especially considering that Peter was an apostle to the circumcision. Nero accomplished THIS particular persecution of the Church. Based on the accepted dating of this letter, the phrase “the time is come” has real significance when considered in the light of Nero’s persecutions. Then Peter, in the form of a question, mentions the phase of judgment that was soon to fall upon apostate, unbelieving Judaism in 70 AD. [those that obey not the gospel of God] 

2 Peter occurs in this same context of judgment against apostate Judaism, and then expands outward to include the  blessings to the Gentile Church which he calls a “NEW heavens and earth”. 

2Peter 3

2Pe 3:1-2 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in [both] which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

These verses tell us that this is his second letter, which may have a contextual flow from the first letter, where he mentions fiery trials etc. It also establishes the Old and New Testaments as having equal authority. Much of what Peter is to say will come from Old Testament prophesies.

2Pe 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

I am of the opinion that the “last days” mentioned in scripture are, in most cases, the last days of the Old Covenant worship system.

Following are the scriptures that I believe support my opinion.

First- Ac 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

 Peter said that Pentecost fulfilled this prophecy of Joel. We also know that Jerusalem, along with the Old Covenant worship system ended in 70 AD. Now, whatever has an “end” also has its “last days” just prior to that end. Peter spoke the words of Joel’s prophecy in the “last days” of the Old Covenant Age. History, and the scriptures confirm that the Old Covenant system of worship was to end during that period of time. Also, did not all the miraculous signs, that Peter said was evidence that they were in the “last days” that we are considering, have an end in the “last days” of the Old Covenant? If those signs were evidence of the last days, and we are NOW, in those SAME last days that Peter spoke of, then we should STILL be experiencing those “last days” signs shouldn’t we?    

Second- Heb 1:1-2 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by [his] Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Hebrews was probably written between 62 and 65 AD. In times past God spoke by the prophets, but in THESE last days of the Old Covenant has spoken to us by His Son. Application may be made that Christ is still speaking to us, and this is true. However, Jesus did speak in the “last days” of Judaism in which the book of Hebrews was written.  

Third- Heb 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

In this verse, the “foundation of the world” is the Greek “kosmos” which is speaking of the entire creation. However, the phrase “end of the world”, in this passage, contains the Greek word “aion”, which is an “AGE”, or a definite period of time. Based on the dating of Hebrews, and when the crucifixion of Jesus Christ took place, it would indicate the end of the Old Covenant “AGE” is what is under consideration in this passage.

Fourth- 1Pe 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

The kingdom of heaven was “at hand” when John the Baptist preached, in this same manner, the “end of all things” was also “at hand” here in 1 Peter 4:7. The end of the “all things”, that were then “at hand”, were the all things that ended when Judaism was destroyed about three to five years after this letter was written. I am confident that the above has done no violence to the scripture, and is in agreement with the context. It is in agreement not only with the grammatical, but also the historical context in which it was written.

2Pe 3:4- A  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming?

Consider the stoning of Stephen: Ac 6:14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. Here, in one verse, we are told that the apostate Jews were aware that Jesus prophesied the destruction of their city. This verse also tells us that the CHANGING OF THE CUSTOMS of Moses [Jewish elements] would accompany the destruction of their city.  During the period when 2 Peter was written, the apostate JEWS would naturally begin to scoff. After all, about thirty-five years had passed since they were told of the impending destruction, and nothing had happened yet. Therefore, they began to chide their believing Jewish brethren, with statements like, “where is the promise of His coming”? I am of the opinion that these apostate Jews were mocking the promise of the coming destruction of Jerusalem, which was supposed to happen in THEIR generation, but at the time of the writing of 2 Peter, it had not happened yet.

2 Pe 3:4-B for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as [they were] from the beginning of the creation.

The word “FATHERS”, in 2 Peter 3:4 B, also identifies these mockers as being Jews, and not heathens, or atheists. The idea that these mockers were denying creation by God, and a future destruction of the universe does not fit well. The Jewish “FATHERS” would not have questioned that God created the universe, and had the power to destroy it.  Gentiles wouldn’t have used the term “since the fathers fell asleep”. I believe that the context supports that these were Jews, and they were rejecting the notion that THEIR GOD would destroy THEIR nation in THAT generation.

2Pe 3:5-6 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

I believe that, THEY, the unbelieving Jews, believed the flood was an act of NATURE. The occurrence of the flood, they were not denying. I believe they were denying that the flood was a JUDGMENT of God. In the same manner, they were denying the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy of  the JUDGMENT of God, in the destruction of their city, along with its political/religious “heavens and earth”.

Neither in the case of Noah’s flood, or the destruction of the Jewish world/age, did the PHYSICAL world perish. The flood destroyed the wicked OUT OF the world. It also destroyed their social/political “WORLD”, along with their heathenish religious “HEAVENS”. The PHYSICAL world that existed BEFORE the flood also existed AFTER the flood. What happened was the ending of a wicked social/political, religious “heaven and earth”, along with its inhabitants. The planet and stars Peter lived on and under, are the same planet and stars Noah lived on and under. They are also the same ones we live on and under. The parallel between the destruction of the pre-flood world, and 2 Peter 3’s world, is that the ungodly, and their “systems/elements” of worship and government were overthrown in BOTH cases, and in both cases, the PHYSICAL world was left INTACT.     

2Pe 3:7 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 of ungodly men.

What were the “heavens and earth” that Peter referred to in his second letter, as existing [now] in HIS day? What was the day of judgment that Peter was referring to?

I am of the opinion that when God brought Israel out of Egypt, they became a nation. They became a nation at Mount Sinai when God gave them their LAW, and their PRIESTHOOD. This was the time they were given the “ELEMENTS”, or rudiments of their NEW religious and political “HEAVENS and EARTH”. With the giving of the LAW, and the PRIESTHOOD they were PLANTED as a nation. That nation was their newly formed world order, or as the scriptures calls it, their “heavens and earth”. Just as the ungodly “world” of the pre-flood era was destroyed, so, I believe Peter prophesied of the destruction of the apostate Jewish “heavens and earth” that had been established when the children of Israel came out of Egypt. 

First- Isa 51:15-16 But I [am] the LORD thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The LORD of hosts [is] his name. And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou [art] my people.

The context of these passages above, show that when God “DIVIDED” the Red Sea, and brought the Israelites through it, and gave them their Law, that at THAT TIME, He PLANTED their “heavens and earth”. I am of the opinion that the PRIESTHOOD, and its religious order were their HEAVENS. The LAW that governed their lives  was their EARTH. This “heavens and earth” ended when God destroyed it in 70 AD, and from that time onwards we have the “new”, which is the church/kingdom in time.      

Consider these passages.

 Isaiah 13 describes the destruction of Babylon by the Medes, using the same prophetic terminology used by Jesus, and Peter. Isa 13:10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.

Isa 13:13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

 Micah 1 describes judgments against Samaria and Jerusalem. Mic 1:3-4 For, behold, the LORD cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth. And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, [and] as the waters [that are] poured down a steep place. Here, prophetic language such as “molten mountains”, and “wax before the fire” are used to describe judgments upon nations IN TIME. There are many such examples throughout the scriptures.

Also if you will read Isaiah chapter five in its entirety, I believe you will see that it deals with the judgment brought upon Jerusalem, leading up to their captivity by the Babylonians. Isaiah 5 ends with these words. “look unto the land, behold darkness [and] sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof”.

2Pe 3:8-9 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day [is] with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

It had been nearly thirty-five years since Jesus had prophesied the end of their Old Covenant worship Age. The believing brethren, called “beloved” by Peter, must have had thoughts that the Lord was tarrying. After all, Jewish unbelievers were constantly persecuting them, and at this time Nero’s persecutions were beginning. Time seems to move so slow when we are under persecution. 

2Pe 3:10-A But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat,

ELEMENTS: The word “ELEMENTS” is translated from the Greek word “STOICHEION”. This word occurs seven times in the New Testament.

First- In Heb 5:12, it is translated as “PRINCIPALS”.  ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God;

Second- In Gal 4:3, I believe it is referring to the “elements” of Judaism. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

Third- In Gal 4:9, it represents the weak and beggarly ELEMENTS, identified as the days, months, seasons, and years of Judaism.

Fourth- In Col 2:8 it is translated as the “rudiments” of the world, being the “traditions” of men.

Fifth- In Col 2:20 the “rudiments”, or “elements” of the world are called “ordinances”.

In none of these passages does the Greek word “stoicheion”, which is translated two times as “elements” in 2 Pe 3:10-12, refer to the PHYSICAL world. To interpret “STOICHEION” as meaning the atomic structure of this physical world, in this ONE place, goes against the way the Spirit has used it in ALL other places. In my opinion, this is unacceptable, due to the fact that it can be reasonably understood, in 2 Peter 3, as having the SAME meaning as it does in ALL the other texts where it is used, unless, of course there is other COMPELLING evidence to the contrary.        

MELT:

The Greek word “luo” appears forty-six times in the New Testament. It is most commonly translated as, “loose, broken, or destroy”. Only three times is it translated as “melt”, or “dissolved”. If the translators had rendered “stoicheion”, and “luo” in 2 Peter 3, as they did every place else in scripture, I believe it would have made these passages more understandable. For brevity, I will only give a few examples of its normal usage in scripture.

First- in Eph 2:14, BROKEN DOWN is translated from “luo”. “and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;”  This is not a literal, physical “melting” of a wall. It shows a “REMOVAL” of a FIGURATIVE wall.

Second- In John 1:27 “luo” which is translated as “melt” in 2 Peter, is here translated as “UNLOOSE”. John said,  “He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

Third- Joh 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

Here, the word “DESTROY” is translated from “luo”.

 Consistently, throughout the scriptures, the Spirit of God has chosen to render this Greek word “LUO” as DESTROY, BROKEN, or LOOSE forty-three times, and twice as dissolved. Although the translators have chosen to render it here in 2 Peter as “melt”, one time, I believe it is scriptural to render it as it is used throughout the rest of the scriptures, as the dissolving, BREAKING DOWN, or destroying of the “rudiments of Judaism.                       

2 Pe 3:10-B  the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

The word “earth” is translated from the Greek word “ghay”. It is usually used to refer to a specific piece of land, or to a country, as in the  “LAND” of Judea. Figuratively, it is used to refer to a “social order”. The prophets have used it in this way many times. This happened LITERALLY and FIGURATIVELY in the destruction of Jerusalem, and the DISSOLVING of their religious, and political world. I believe that John the Baptist was speaking of this event in the scripture below.

Mt 3:11-12 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire: Whose fan [is] in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

2Pe 3:11 [Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy conversation and godliness,

Peter, again reminds them that the Old Covenant order was soon to be dissolved/destroyed.

2Pe 3:12A  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God,

These pre 70 AD brethren were LOOKING for the day of God that was under consideration. They were looking for it to come with HASTE. Whatever they were waiting for, Peter, an inspired Apostle, said they expected it SOON. This fits well with the destruction of the Jewish “heavens and earth” that was “dissolved” in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Jesus had prophesied that this destruction would take place within THAT generation. Though many felt it was long in coming, they were eagerly awaiting it. Anyone who will take the time to check the Old Testament prophesies will see that the phrase, “the day of the Lord” is used to refer to many different judgments that were prophesied, and THEN later, fell upon those nations under consideration. There is to be a FINAL day of the Lord, however, I am not of the opinion that it is under consideration in this text. 

2 Pe 3:12B  wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

The same applies here, as when considering 2 Peter 3:10 above.

Mt 22:6-7 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated [them] spitefully, and slew [them]. But when the king heard [thereof], he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

Mt 3:11-12 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire: Whose fan [is] in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

The only scriptures where there is a promise mentioned that uses the EXACT phrase, “new heavens and a new earth”, are Isa 65:17, and Isa 66:22. In both occurrences the prophet is speaking of the “Gospel Age” here in time. 

Isa 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

Isa 66:22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.

Another consideration in respect to the phrase, “new heavens and a new earth”, is the Greek word “kainos” which is translated “new”. There are two Greek words translated as “new” in the New Testament. These two Greek words are, “neos”, and “kainos”. “NEOS” means new in time. It describes something that has NEVER existed, but is recently brought into existence. However, “KAINOS” means new in QUALITY, not in time. To say that Peter is referring to a “literal” new heaven and earth, after this existing one is destroyed, goes against the meaning of the word “new/kainos”. It seems to me, he would have used “neos” if he meant a complete “new” physical world.  

As far as the “new heavens and new earth” of Revelation 21 is concerned, I believe they are also this Gospel Age. Revelation is a difficult book. The “new heavens and the new earth” in Rev., may begin on earth in time, and then are presented in vision in an eternal glorified state. Nevertheless, it is not my opinion that this aspect is being considered in 2 Peter 3.  

Heb 8:13 In that he saith, A new [covenant], he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old [is] ready to vanish away.

By His Grace

Brother Tom

What do YOU think ?

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Date:

12 Jan 2005

Time:

13:10:45

Comments

Good post Brother Tom. I am definitely going to study this more. I do have one question...you mention that "there is to be a FINAL Day of the Lord..." What scriptures do you believe support that notion? God bless, Bro. Peter

Date:

12 Jan 2005

Time:

16:54:34

Comments

Confusion results from preterists' failure to recognize the difference between OT judgment and destruction and NT judgment and destruction. In the OT, the judgment and destruction of the ungodly were simultaneous, in the water of the flood in the case of the natural world and in the water of the Red Sea in the case of Israel. But in the NT, SPIRITUAL judgment is separated from NATURAL destruction by an intervening period of God's grace and mercy. Thus, the little heaven and earth (Is. 51:16; Mt. 5:18), the Christ-rejecting natural Israel, was spiritually judged (it passed away in the sight of God) in the moment of Christ's resurrection in the spring of AD 30 and its natural destruction occurred at the end of 40 years of grace, in AD 70. And in the same manner, the big heaven and earth (Gen. 1; Mt. 24:35; 2 Pe. 3:7), the Christ-rejecting natural world, was spiritually judged at the end of the true first-century (it passed away in the sight of God, Rev. 21:1) and its natural destruction will occur at the end of this present "thousand years" of God's grace.

Date:

13 Jan 2005

Time:

09:23:12

Comments

Romans 2:6 who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS:Romans 2:7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; Which judgment is this? Partial Preterist say verse 6 which Jesus referred to in Mt 16:27-28 was 70 A.D. can we say this judgment hasn't happened yet and you do not have eternal life yet? There is only one judgment and the judge was standing at the door James 5:8-9

Date:

13 Jan 2005

Time:

15:09:53

Comments

Only one judgment? No. Because of the Holy Trinity, all of the NT spiritual fulfillments come in sets of three. First there was the spiritual judgment of the old, natural, Christ-rejecting Israel in the moment of Christ's resurrection in the spring of AD 30. Second was the spiritual judgment of the old, natural, Christ-rejecting world in the moment of the resurrection of (ONLY) those dead human beings who were Christ's at his parousia in autumn of AD 96. Third and finally there will be the resurrection and judgment of those human beings who were not Christ's at his parousia OR subsequently. Do you want to know the OT, Holy Trinity-related types that prove the above facts?

Date:

13 Jan 2005

Time:

18:01:22

Comments

"Christ-rejecting world in the moment of the resurrection of (ONLY) those dead human beings who were Christ's at his parousia in autumn of AD 96." So what happened in 96 A.D.?

Date:

13 Jan 2005

Time:

20:48:41

Comments

In the fifth hour of the morning on September 18 in AD 96, the day and hour of Christ's parousia (Mt. 24:36), Domitian, the 11th first-century Roman emperor and 11th horn of Dan. 7, and the man of sin and son of perdition of 2 Thes. 2:3, and the counterfeit white horse rider of Rev. 6:2, and the first beast of Rev. 13, who demanded during the last few years of his reign (the 42 months of Dan. 7:25 and Rev. 13:5) that all the world worship him as its true god (2 Thes. 2:4 and Rev. 13:4,8, 12), was killed by the sword (Rev. 13:10), thus fulfilling the prophecy in Dan. 7:26 that his usurping spiritual dominion would be taken away from him and the prophecy in 2 Thes. 2:8 that he would be destroyed at the time of Christ's parousia.

Date:

28 Feb 2005

Time:

00:55:57

Comments

Very eye opening, keep up the good work. --- James MT Shasta,CA

Date:

04 Mar 2005

Time:

20:12:11

Comments

great job. I believe that you are correct. Pete pjrizzo@localnet.com

Date: 18 Apr 2005
Time: 13:38:28

Comments:

Where are your source authorities for saying that those scriptures refered to Dominition? I believe it was speaking of Nero because the "geat tribulation" happened somewhere within 54 A.D. and 68 A.D. Which was Nero's reign... Dating these events for Dominition will put these writings after 70 A.D. which seems to be what they are reflecting.


P. F. Katonka, Jr.

Date: 07 Jan 2006
Time: 17:54:50

Comments:

Michael, Armageddon, Angels, Religion, Judgment Day, And The New Things Made

Do you remember Jesus' command that each and every word coming from God has meaning to it (Matthew 4:4; 2 Timothy 3:16)?

Let's analyze the War Of Armageddon at Revelation Chapter 16. Let’s remember that Jesus said that each Biblical word has its own meaning from God.

Read Revelation 16:12. "Sixth" or "six" is the number of man or the number of our physical world (Revelation 13:18). The number "six" is also closely related to man's exodus with God the Spirit during God's Judgment (Genesis 7:6-7; Exodus 12:36-39). Biblical "water" also symbolizes this physical world. God will "change" (1 Corinthians 15:47-54) the great multitude of this physical world into Angelic Beings (Matthew 22:30; Psalm 104: 3-5; Revelation 17:15; Revelation 7:9). "Michael" the Archangel of the Lord symbolizes God's Voice Which unites with this great multitude of peoples (waters) at Armageddon. The great multitude will become the "body" of God (Daniel 12:1; Jude 9; Revelation 12:1; Revelation 16:16; Revelation 1:11-20; Exodus 3:1-22; Daniel 10:5-9).

Continue reading Revelation 16:12. "and the water thereof was dried up that the Way of the Kings of the East might be prepared". Jesus is the "Way" of the Bible (John 14:6). Whenever the Bible uses the word "Up", it is referring to our Ascention into Heaven (Revelation 11:12). The Biblical word "cloud" is very important. The Bibical "cloud" symbolizes all of God's physical world becoming One with Him as Angels in Heaven (Hebrews 12:1; Exodus 24:16-18; Matthew 22:30; Psalm 104:3-5; John 17:21). Thus these "Kings" are those Spirit Begotten "new heavens and earths" 2 Peter 3:7-13. The Biblical "north" symbolizes God's Judgment. The Biblical South denotes "God's mercy" southern wind. The Biblical "east" denotes Salvation Days entry into Heaven. The Bibical west denotes the totality of this Coming Kingdom (Matthew 6:9-13; Matthew 24:27). The Biblical "might" refers to this Coming Mighty "Son" of God (Isaiah 9:6). IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT ANYONE WHOM GOD CALLS INTO HEAVEN ON THAT GREAT

ON THAT GREAT DAY OF THE LORD (REVELATION 1:10; REVELATION 16:14) HUMANS WILL CHANGE. HUMANS WILL BECOME ONE WITH THE FIERY GOD OF THE BIBLE (DEUTERONOMY 4:4). HUMANS WILL BECOME ANGELIC BEINGS-FLAMES OF GOD'S FIRE (PSALM 104:3-5). THESE ANGELS WILL BE LIKE GOD. GOD IS SPIRIT (JOHN 4:4; 1 JOHN 3:2).

THIS CHANGE FROM PHYSICAL FLESH TO SPIRIT WILL BE THE REFRESHING REGENERATION OF GOD THE FATHER INTO GOD THE BEGOTTEN SON (EXODUS 31:17; TITUS 3:5-8; MATTHEW 29:18).AND THIS ANGELIC BEGOTTEN "SON" OF GOD (REVELATION 21:7) WILL BE ONE WITH GOD (JOHN 10:30-35). THEY WILL BE THE GODS (JOHN 10:35).

When man is made (or changed) into God, this is Blasphemy. Thus read Revelation 16:11. Biblical Blasphemy is a good thing. With out the charge of Blasphemy, Jesus would not have been crucified (Mark 14:64). With out the Blood of God (Acts 20:20), we humans would never receive Heavenly Salvation (John 3:16).

Now read John 10:33. I know God wrote it to appear negative. BUT WHEN YOU STUDY THE ENTIRE BIBLE, WORD FOR WORD, SCRIPTURE FOR SCRIPTURE, YOU CAN SEE THAT IT IS GOD'S WILL THAT MAN BE CHANGED OR MADE INTO GOD (JOHN 10:34-35; 1 JOHN 3:2). THUS BIBLICAL BLASPHEMY IS A GOOD THING!! THE BLASPHEMOUS CHANGING MAN INTO GOD IS FROM GOD! IT IS HIS WILL!

WOW!! GOD SAYS ALOT IN JUST ONE VERSE!!!

Let's summarize Revelation 16:13. The Biblical number "three" symbolizes Eternity. Heaven is Eternal Immortality. Thus the "third" Heaven is eternity 1 Corinthians 12:2).

Satan's world is this physical world (2 Corinthians 4:4). Satan is God and Father of this physical world (2 Corinthians 4:4; John 8:32-44).

God knows that only Spirit can enter Heaven (1 Corinthians 15:47-54). God also knows that on that Last Day of our physical world, He will consume, swallow, and burn the physical world with Fiery change. That Fiery change will Cause that fleshly phsical world to Be Come Spirit Oneness with God (John 6:39-54; Daniel 12:1-10; Daniel 9:27;Exodus 3:2; John 4:24; John 17:21; Revelation 17:16).

Thus, whenever the Bible uses the singular or plural words, "devil", "satan", "babylon", "demon", "spirit", "angel", ect, it is referring to this Coming Day of Fiery Change (2 Peter 3:5-13).

God is the I Am (Exodus 3:14). From His perspective, His Will has already occurred. We humans function on a 24 hour a day mentality. God is King Of Eternity, the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:22)!

Do you remember that Jesus was killed on the cross (John 19:20), and then went to Hell (Acts 2:24-31)? Do you remember that Jesus preached to the Spirits Who were in Hell (1 Peter 3:18-19)?

Hell is the Fire of God. This is why the False Prophet and Beast "ARE" cast "ALIVE" into the Everlasting Lake of Fire and Brimstone (Revlation 19:20; Revelation 20:10). "ARE" AND "ALIVE" ARE WORDS OF LIFE AND ACTION, NOT OF DEATH!!!!

Our entire phsyical world is sin (Romans 5:12). Thus, we are all Satan and demons. Our entire physical world is Babylon the Great! She will be burned in God's Coming Fire (Revelation 17:16), and will be changed into Spirit (Revelation 18:2; 1 Corinthians 15:47-54; John 4:24).

This is why Jesus who descended (downward denotes God's judgment-Revelation 12:1-12), is the SAME WHO ASCENDED into Heaven (Revelation 11:12; Ephesians 4:8-10). NOW READ REVELATION 17:8. ONCE AGAIN WE SEE THE DESCENDING AND THEN THE ASCENDING!!!

Biblical Descention is the Casting Down. The Casting Down is God's Judgment on sin (Revelation 12:1-12). Jesus "bowed His head" (downward) as the (Holy) Ghost Ascended "upward" (John 19:30; Revelation 11:12). The Biblical "Head" and "Foot" symbolize the Kingdom of God (Genesis 3:14-16; Isaiah 66:1).

Biblical Ascending symbolizes our Entering Heaven as the United Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit (Revelation 11:12; Genesis 49:33)!

The Bible word "beast" is just another name God uses to describe man (Genesis 1:25-27) Who was made (Psalm 104:3-5) in God's image (Genesis 1:26-27). Thus, "beast" can symbolize man and/or God.

Read Revelation 16:13. The physical world is "False" because it isnot immortal. We call ourselves "human Beings", but we die. A "Being" is immortal. We will not Be Come Beings until the Day of the Lord. We Be Come Beings on that Day. We Be Come One with God the Spirit, on that Day (Revelation 1:10; 1 Corinthians 15:47-54; John 4:24).

Thus the physical world is a False Testimony, or a False Prophet to God. This is why God will Hold this physical world in the Deceiving Regeneration Prison (bottomless pit and lake of fire and brimstone), just as Pharoah Held God's People in Deceptions Bondage (Exodus 8:29; Revelation 12:9; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:10; Revelation 20:1-5).

Read Revelation 16:14. The "gathering" is the calling of God to the physical world bringing them into Heaven. The "gathering" is the Kingdom of Michael the Archangel of the Lord (Matthew 24:30-35; Daniel 12:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17; Revelation 12:1). The gathering changes the sinful physical world into Spirit. This is why Revelation 16:13-14 talk about "spirits". I know God used negative connotatiions, BUT A FULL STUDY OF EACH WORD IN THE BIBLE DENOTES THAT GOD USED NEGATIVE CONNOTATIONS AND EVENTS TO TELL A WONDERFULLY BEAUTIFUL STORY ABOUT WHAT SALVATION REALLY IS!!!

Read Revelation 16:14. "That Great Day of God Almighty" is the Day of the Lord (Revelation 1:10). That Day is the Day when the "Mighty Son of God is Begottten" (Psalms 2:7; Isaiah 9:6). All of God's creation will be Regenerated with Him on that Day (Matthew 19:28)! This is why He is the All (Family of God), Mighty (Son of God Isaiah 9:6; Revelation 21:7).

Read Revelation 16:15 The Bible word "come" and all its similar usages of that word all refer to the "Coming Again" of the "Son". That Coming Again is the Day of the Lord (John 14:28). The Bible word "naked" refers to the "New" Spirit of God (2 Peter 3:7-13). That Newly Begotten Spirit will not need the covering of the Man, Jesus for sin. That New Spirit will be "naked". Totally God, Totally Righteous, and Free of Sin (Genesis 2:25; Revelation 17:16).

Babylon the Great will be "ashamed" because she must be judged and changed by fire BE FORE she becomes Spirit (Revelation 18:2; Revaltion 17:1-2, 16). ADAM AND EVE WERE NOT ASHAMED WHEN THEY WERE NAKED BECAUSE THEY WERE SYMBOLIZING THE COMING NEW SPIRIT (Genesis 2:25).

NOW LET'S SUMMARY THE FINAL VERSE. THIS VERSE HAS BEEN MISINTERPRETED BY RELIGIONISTS FOR CENTURIES!!

READ REVELATION 16:16. The "gathering" is God calling and "pulling" the New Spirit into Heaven (Matthew 24:30-35; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17).

The "Hebrew Tongue" symbolizes the Word of God (John 1:1). This "Word of God" is also God's Trumpet Like Voice Which will Be Heard on the Last Day (Matthew 24:30-35; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17; Revelation 2:7).

WHEN WE STUDY THE BIBLE WORD FOR WORD SEEKING EACH WORD'S MEANING AS JESUS COMMANDED US (MATTHEW 4:4), WE FIND THAT ARMAGEDDON IS NOT A WAR!! ARMAGEDDON IS A PLACE (A LOCATION).

JESUS SAID THAT GOD WOULD GATHER HIS OWN INTO HEAVEN ON THE DAY OF THE LORD (MATTHEW 24:30-35; 1 THESSALONIANS).

THUS, ARMAGEDDON IS HEAVEN.

READ REVELATION 16:14. THE WAR OR BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON IS ACTUALLY THE FIERY OVERTHROW OF THIS PHSYCIAL WORLD (REVELATION 12:1-12; REVELATION 17:16; GENESIS 3:14-16), WHERE GOD CHANGES FLESH INTO SPIRIT (I CORINTHIANS 15:47-54). THIS CHANGED SPIRIT IS CALLED, "SON OF GOD" REVELATION 21:7. AND JESUS, THE MAN SYMBOLIZED AND POINTED TO THIS ENTIRE FAMILY "SON OF GOD" (JOHN 14:28; JOHN 10:30-35).

Gary Colin is an Author and Teacher of the Coming Again Ministry. You can purchase or enjoy a free viewing of, "Bible Symbolism What It Means To Your Salvation" ISBN 1-4241-0152-2 by going to http://www.publishamerica.com ph 1 301-695-1707 fx 1-301-631-9073 Contact the Coming Again Ministry at threebut1@yahoo.com

Date: 03 Jun 2007
Time: 12:47:34

Comments:

Hi, Do you have any info about where there may be any preterists which meet in Bible study in the St Louis, Missouri area? Thanks---Mike (email: miketoday04@yahoo.com)