Gospel News — Jun-Aug 2012

how that the phrase `heavens and earth' should be understood in a figurative sense, referring to the rulers of this world; kings, presidents and governments; and the earth, the common people – those who are ruled. This fiery judgement which will surely come: will then come upon both rulers and ruled.

What Peter has foretold

in general terms is detailed in other parts of scripture. In Obadiah, for example, we are informed about the plotting against Israel by several of their enemies and the consequences of their intrigues. We read, "But upon Mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they (Israel) shall kindle in them, (a fire) and devour; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken it" (v.17-18).

Similar

language is used about the defenders of Jerusalem when the Arab nations mount a siege against this city in the near future. And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, "The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the LORD of hosts their God. In that day will I make the governors or Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem...and it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem" (v.5,6,9).

Other nations which are tolerant of

Christian principles and who resist the commands of the King of Kings will suffer a destruction in a similar way until their remnants are subdued.

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God's fiery

judgments will not be confined to the political heavens and earth, they are reserved also for the religious world as well. This is clear from the Book of Revelation which describes the historical development of the apostate Christian Church. The symbolic whore is said to be seated on a great red dragon having 10 horns which represent the European Union. In the seventeenth chapter these 10 horns we are told shall make war with the Lamb (literally the Lord Jesus Christ recently returned from heaven). This is because these horns, being guided by the whore, the Roman Catholic Church, will suppose this is the right thing to do. However, they will eventually become disillusioned and hate the whore for her deceitful ways. Rev.17 verse 16 reads, `And the 10 horns which thou sawest upon the beast these shall hate the whore and shall make her desolate and naked and shall eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will and to agree and give their power unto the beast until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

The fiery judgments reserved for the whore are repeated with emphasis in Rev.18:8, "Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death and mourning and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judges her."

These

judgments which will destroy the wicked will be succeeded by a new order of things called by Peter, `A new heavens and a new earth' wherein dwelleth righteousness. It will be the Kingdom of God ruled over by Jesus and the Saints who will be made kings and priests in the future age. They will be the New Heavens. The new earth will consist of the nations who have been subdued by the judgments some of