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Hoekstra: The Promise of a New Heaven and New Earth

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The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance…Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
(2 Peter 3:9, 13)

In our previous meditation, we considered Jesus’ promise to return for His people. “I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:3). Many centuries have come and gone with that promise remaining unfulfilled. Consequently, some are inclined to scoff at this promise. The Scriptures have prepared us for this by giving us another promise. “Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days…saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation'” (2 Peter 3:3-4). Nevertheless, we who believe God’s promises are convinced that He will keep His word and return for us. When He returns, He will fulfill another promise as well: the promise of a new heaven and new earth. “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”

God’s patience and God’s perspective

Two insights are offered here concerning the Lord’s delay in His return. The first one pertains to God’s compassion and patience in allowing more opportunity for people to repent and not perish. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise…but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” The second insight pertains to God’s perspective on time. For our eternal Lord, it is as though He made the promise of His return only a couple of days ago! “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (2 Peter 3:8).

Yet, some day the Lord will fulfill His promise to return for us. Then, the new, eternal reality will come. “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” It is delightful to consider! “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth…And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away'” (Revelation 21:1-4).

Dear Lord, I eagerly await Your appearing. I rejoice at the place You have prepared for us—a place of righteousness, joy, and peace. Above all, I anticipate dwelling in Your visible presence forever and ever, Amen!

Comments

  1. her 11:6-10
    Hbr 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker [is] God.
    New creatures who perceive the condition sin has perpetrated on this world observe through Spirit gifted eyes. By the Spirit mind saints of God grow less involved with the static, the distractions that steal the truths of God from human lives. The Holy Spirit removes the heart of stone. We come to know His love and sorrow for the victims of deception. Self-ish-ness, the focus on me is transformed for the purposes, His burden for the lost. God knew (did) this before the foundation of the world, it is what He is, the true Creator. Where His Spirit is, is life. Jesus prayed that we remain in the world, protected from evil to build up a body who share His love, His glory evermore. This world is the creation factory proving those who choose, who prefer God more than lust and pride. Tragically this process is not realized by millions who lose the chance, His hope that is each life. We live in the time of the glorious working of His Spirit in our individual lives that was not available before His blood fulfilled the debt of offense. We need to be about our Father’s business while opportunity remains for the lost and dying in this world of death.

  2. Now that Yeshua ben Yosef, (suffering servant) Luk 3:23 HNV, Gen 30:24 HNV was obedient to Torah for the sake of all creation.

    We now have, all creation waiting the coming of Yeshua ben David (King of the Jews), 1Sa 16:13 HNV, Mat 22:41-46 HNV, Jer 3:17 HNV. After defeating the attack of the nations against Israel and then ruling the nations from HIS throne in the restored Kingdom of Israel for one thousand years, Eze 40:1 HNV through Eze 48:35 HNV.

    Only after these will 2Pe 3:8-13 HNV happen. Verses 9-12 must be included to fully understand what the Spirit is saying through HIS WORD.

    Query; what does the Spirit mean by “not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” and “what manner of persons ought you to be in holy living and godliness,” if not instructing Believers to follow Torah? Torah is the only place we find out what to repent from and what holy living is, correct?

    J.

    P.s. we can wax poetic if we want to be noticed, but the entire WOG is where we find hope.

    • Abraham heeded God and went contrary to the manner and custom of the world because he believed God.
      Gal 3:17 And this I say, [that] the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
      Gal 3:18 For if the inheritance [be] of the law, [it is] no more of promise: but God gave [it] to Abraham by promise.
      Gal 3:19-24, 4:4
      The entire Word of God shows that no flesh is justified by the law. The law does convict us of sin and Jesus was made under the law. Who fulfilled those requirements that we transgress, Who then became sin for us to provide the promise of the righteousness of God for those who believe God. Do we ignore the law then? No, it is of God yet we do not practice those parts that are imperfect that only taught of the perfect that now has come. We certainly follow the spirit of the law yet believe that no flesh can follow the law to justification. We are redeemed by the blood of Jesus, not the law of sin and death.

    • Like I originally asked in my comment. Why then repentance? Why then holy living?

      There’s that “yet” again. You also write “those parts”. Who decides what “parts” to read and what “parts” apply? Unless I apply the entire WOG to my life, I don’t apply any of it. If I must count on others to inform me what is sin as to direct me to salvation, I’ll count on myself, (not).

      This kind of religion leads down a very dangerous road and history shows us this.

      J.

      P.s. try reading Gal 3 NLT.

      • The entire WOG reveals Him. God is spirit and seeks believers who worship Him.
        Hbr 11:6, Jhn 4:23, Jhn 4:24, Jhn 14:17, Eph 5:9
        This is true in Adam, Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, John, the Apostles and now through us.
        2Cr 3:6
        The comments in the July 2, blog arrive at a critical understanding of the spirit for God in the comment by Tess, “I would like to point out however that works are a product of faith not the other way around.”
        The pride of man is despicable to God. The works of the Law or the chosen people do not save anyone.
        Jhn 15:25 But [this cometh to pass], that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
        Mat 23:8-12, 23:28

      • Yaaa, I didn’t elaborate on Tess’ comment at the time because what she wrote is generally true. I would add one caveat here to you (and her) on it. They actually work hand in hand, not one in front of the other, it has always been this way and I’ll use the souls you list to make my point. Another thing about works and faith – any work done without faith amounts to wood, hay and stubble, it has always been this way and I’ll use the souls you list to make my point. And the opposite is true, any faith without works, deeds, and acts amounts to a puffing of the wind, it has always been this way and I’ll use the souls you list to make my point.

        A better way of writing what Tess wrote would be – “YHWH recognizes those works that are done in faith”. We can follow the LAW all we want, but unless there is the messy BLOOD offering, and it was very messy for Yeshua, we’ve accomplished nothing. Belief and Faith in the messy BLOODY sacrifice of the Hebrew Messiah, by Jew or gentile is what gives us life both on earth and eternity and we live our lives now and then by the entire WOG which includes the Torah.

        Unless you get past the traditions of NT / Replacement Theology and reading the scripture you site from that perspective I don’t know what else to say but to ask for the LORDS help.

        J.

        P.s. I never wrote or implied we are saved by anything else but the Hebrew Messiahs shed BLOOD, you only seem to read what I write somehow from another perspective than what I actually write. That is a “critical (mis)understanding”.

        • Were any of the patriarchs righteous before God? Did any one of them bring God into their life by their own righteousness, their works? God gave them life, God called them and whatever righteousness they had was visited on them by God. They believed God and that was accounted to them for righteousness. Gal 3:6
          God is the creator, there is no other. God does not share His glory, is not indebted to any being. There are no traditions, language, ceremonies or customs of men that bind God.

        • Apparently you didn’t read what I wrote again or read it thru some off colored glasses.

          I’ll answer your questions anyway,

          When YAHWEH told Abram to “go”, Abram “went”. That was an “act”, a “deed”, a “work” of obedience. When Abraham listened to Sarah and went in with Hagar that was an “act”, a “deed”, a “work” of disobedience, etc. These “acts”, “works”, “deeds” proved Abrahams faith because “faith” and “works” walk hand in hand.

          Where did I claim we achieve “righteousness” by works?

          All GLORY be to GOD alone.

          Where do you get this stuff from?

          J.

          • Hbr 11:8,17, Jhn 8:28,
            The entire WOG, Jesus. Who is the Word.
            Isa 43:10, Jhn 8:45, 10:37
            Rom 3:10-31 Before God calls us, we all are unrighteous. Faith then comes first. Our own acts are unrighteous, God calls, we then are accounted righteous until we decide unrighteous. The acts do not precede God. All human is unrighteous before God, we do nothing that deserves God. Rom 5:8

          • Faith alone is nothing more than “bloviating”.

            We are not “accounted righteous” as you describe it, but until there is an “act”, a “work(s)”, a “deed” attached to our belief.

            Gen 22:12 HNV, “For now I know”.

            The information your communicating is “traditional religious theology”, man.

            JERRY: I don’t understand, I made a reservation, do you have my reservation?
            RENTAL CAR AGENT: Yes, we do, unfortunately we ran out of cars.
            JERRY: But the reservation keeps the car here. That’s why you have the reservation.
            RENTAL CAR AGENT: I know why we have reservations.
            JERRY: I don’t think you do. If you did, I’d have a car. See, you know how to take the reservation, you just don’t know how to *hold* the reservation and that’s really the most important part of the reservation, the holding. Anybody can just take them.

            J.

            P.s. the internet is so full of low brow information.

          • The hope of glory recognizes choice, the true heart of anyone. In this time of Jesus in us will we proceed as children of Adam or children of God?

            Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

            Faith trusts, commits to God. Belief is not the heart for God that is faith.

            Luk 16:15, Act 15:8, Rom 8:27, Psa 44:21, 2Ch 6:30, 1Ki 8:39, Rev 2:23

            Jesus gives us His commandment.
            Jhn 15:12

          • Bob,

            These readings of the scripture that you comment with “In this time of Jesus in us will we proceed as children of Adam or children of God?”, are just what gives me pause, and frankly gives me concern.

            Luk 3:38 HNV, Adam was a child of GOD and this is evident when the entire WOG is used to interpret scripture. Remember scripture interprets scripture. This kind of cultish rhetoric leads down a dangerous road.

            But, have at it brother.

            J.

            P.s. I did write that Tess’ original comment was “generally true”, so don’t get hung up on what or “Jews” comes first. That’s just a puffing of the wind.

          • Ooookaaay then, that’s understood. So where in those verses does it say Adam was not a child of GOD? Luk 3:38 HNV. Hang in there.
            J.

          • Adam was a son of God. The last Adam, Jesus was the other. 1Cr 15:48
            The statement that you alter asks whether we will proceed as children of Adam or of God.
            Jhn 3:7-13, Mat 5:9, k 20:36, Jhn 11:52, Rom 8:16, Rom 8:21, Rom 9:8, Gal 3:26, 1Jo 3:10

  3. I wax poetic about my God and His glory all the time. i think He likes it. why else was David progclaimed by God to be a man after Gods own heart? something, interestingly Saul hated David for.

    • Tess, the contrasting lives of King David and King Saul are a great example of what I wrote in the body of my comment. Repentant heart (David) or unrepentant heart (Saul). Many scriptures that show this.

      But if my post script is what you want to discuss? I have a quote for you;

      Wax on, wax off.
      ~ Mr. Miyagi

      J.

      • I’m more the limerick type;

        There once was a man who fell under a tree
        The woman cried out, away he did flee.
        Exhausted to death, the LORD sent him rest,
        The same as for you and for me.

        Who’s the man?

        Your turn!

        J.

      • “Take my life, all I want is to die“.
        ‘Lijah lay down to sleep with a sigh.
        But an angel said, “Wake.
        Here’s some food. You’re to take
        a long trip, forty days. Vivi-fy!”

  5. Great discussion Bob and Jerry S.

    Let me ask a question. What would be the result of knowing the answer? If works and faith can be separated meaning one or the other is responsible for our salvation what then is the purpose of Christs death on the cross? If it is up to either OUR works or OUR faith it is of us and not of him and therefore His death is rendered incomplete.

    God knows the end from the beginning. He knows before our beginning what our end will be. The thing is we don’t know what God knows. We must have faith that He is who He says He is and does what He says He will do.

    Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

    One of the definitions of trust is as follows:
    Confidence placed in a person (GOD) by making that person (GOD)THE NOMINAL OWNER OF PROPERTY (MY SOUL)to be held or used for the benefit of one or more others. *CAPS MINE*

    If I had the answer the two of you are debating what would be the result? I would either lean on my works or lean on my faith. Neither is trust or confidence in God alone but in myself. My ability to either work or have faith.

    If there was a correct either or answer to that question what would I do? I’d either have trust in something within myself or within my works. Neither gives credit to Christ’s death on the cross.

    We’re told in Provers 3:5-6
    Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    And lean not on your own understanding;
    In all your ways —>acknowledge Him,<—–
    And HE SHALL DIRECT YOUR PATHS.

    How can I TRUST in the LORD when I make both works and faith about me and not about Him and what He has done. The truth is that both faith and works are all about Him, from Him, by Him and because of Him. My willingness to trust Him for all truth reveals to me that it is in every way His works in me, His faith through me and His death because of me that wrought so great a salvation.

    • I’m not leaning on my works or my faith for salvation…. Only the BLOOD, remember?

      NT / Replacement Theology promote faith alone. This idea does not and cannot work with the entire WOG. I wouldn’t call my discussion with Bob a debate, but more of a prodding, like goad.

      J.