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[Note: <\/strong>This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles-1<\/strong> page.]\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Both Peter and John mention \u201cnew heavens and a new earth\u201d in reference to the future, eternal abode of the righteous (2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1). The Jehovah\u2019s Witness cult teaches from these passages that the righteous will forever dwell on this present earth, after it has been renovated. Dispensational Premillennialism teaches that at there will be a first \u201csecond\u201d coming of Christ, during which there will be a seven-year period of \u201crapture,\u201d hovering somewhere above the earth. Afterwards He will appear on the earth for a second \u201csecond\u201d coming to reign on this renovated earth for a thousand years. Both theories are rendered false by the very plain words of 2 Peter 3:10:<\/span><\/p>\n But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat and the earth and all the works that are therein shall be burned up.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This inspired passage describes the utter disintegration of the physical universe, as do other passages in both the Old and New Testament (Psa. 102:26; Isa. 51:6; Mat. 24:35).<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 What are the \u201cnew heavens and new earth\u201d for which the saints look and hope? The word new<\/em> means \u201cfresh,\u201d \u201cnot worn,\u201d but in new \u201cform,\u201d \u201cquality,\u201d and \u201cnature,\u201d in contrast with the present \u201cheavens and earth.\u201d God has a brand-new<\/strong> place for His servants to live with Him eternally.\u00a0 Jesus said:<\/span><\/p>\n In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.\u00a0And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:2\u20133).<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Paul is speaking of this when he teaches that the righteous shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air at His only return<\/strong>, to be with Him forever (1 The. 4:17). Notice that Christ does not come upon the earth to be with His people here forever, or even for a thousand years, but His people leave this earth to be with Him forever.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The present physical heaven and earth are man\u2019s habitat. The new heavens and new earth<\/em> is a figurative expression for the new eternal habitat for the redeemed of the ages, thus of Heaven itself, the abode of God and the home of the soul. Peter says This new home for the godly is a place \u201cwherein dwelleth righteousness\u201d (2 Pet. 3:13). Righteousness, keeping the commands of God, exists only where righteous people live. The place where only the righteousness will live is Heaven itself (1 Cor. 6:9; Gal. 5:19\u201320; Rev. 21:6\u20138; 22:12\u201318).<\/span><\/p>\n [Note:<\/strong>\u00a0I wrote this article for, and it was published in the \u201cBible Thoughts\u201d Column for the Hood County News<\/em>, Granbury, Texas, June 12, 1977.]<\/span><\/p>\n Attribution:<\/strong> From thescripturecache.com<\/em>; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.<\/span><\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Views: 1[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles-1 page.]\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Both Peter and John mention \u201cnew heavens and a new earth\u201d in reference to the future, eternal abode of the righteous (2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1). The Jehovah\u2019s Witness…<\/p>\n