Carl Allen has preached the gospel for many years. Much of his work as been in Texas.
II Pet. 3:13
There are two places in Isaiah where this expression is found
- “17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former things shall not be remembered, nor come into mind,” Isa. 65:17.
- “22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith Jehovah, so shall your seed and your name remain,” Isa. 66:22.
May I suggest Isaiah is referring to that which does not exist, note the text; thus, is referring to a new order – the “new order,” is to be the New Testament period. When, then the “Law of the Spirit of Life,” Rom. 8:2: is come, it was the New Order. We learn in II Pet. 3:13, “13 But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” In Rev. 21:1 we have, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away; and the sea is no more.” Now, from Isa. 65, 66, the prophet was looking for a New Order, it came in the form of the New Testament. Those in the New Testament were in a “new heaven and a new earth;” and thus were looking for a “new order,” II Pet. 3:13 – heaven. So, from the Old Testament there were those who looked for another order. Now, we look for another order; which is, heaven! “1 and the first heaven and earth are passed away; and the sea is no more,” Rev. 21:1.
The Jehovah Witnesses have tried to make this physical earth the “the new heaven and new earth,” by this earth to be burned up and thus renovated by fire: “5 Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth,” Matt. 5:5. This passage is just saying the meek shall have an inheritance in the kingdom while on earth – Thayer. The material in II Pet 3 will not allow a “renovated earth” it, the earth, is to be dissolved, burned up, destroyed. There is to be nothing left after the Lord’s second coming. In Heb. 11:3 the world came from nothing and after the Lord comes again, it will be nothing. The Jehovah Witnesses just miss the interpretation of Matt. 5:5.
Jesus told us he would “prepare for us a place,” Jno. 14:2. This obviously will be “New Heavens – New Earth” In that state it is said, “16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun strike upon them, nor any heat: 17 for the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall guide them unto fountains of waters of life and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes,” Rev. 7:16-17. All of the physical discomforts we knew on earth will not be known in a “spiritual” new heavens and new earth – this is a new order.
It is said in I Cor. 15, “51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, 54 But when this corruption shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory? 55 O death, where I thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory though our Lord Jesus Christ,” I Cor. 15::51-56. In the New Heavens and the New Earth there will be no death, no sin, no law, we shall live eternally. Paul names many things, the fruit of the spirit, and says, “Against such here is no law,” Gal. 5:23. We shall be living in an environment where there is no need for law; thus, no sin nor death!
Carl Adon Allen
1115 E. Houston Ave.
Crockett, Tx. 75835
(936) 544-3614
carladonallen@gmail.com