2 Peter 3:7

2 Peter 3:7

   “But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the  same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”
(NKJV is used throughout.)

   Consider Genesis 6:1-8 and its companion Scriptures 2 Peter 3:6-13.
We use the word companion because we firmly believe there is a direct relationship between them.

   In Genesis, those saved were from the lineage of Adam. They were saved so that the line of the promised seed foretold in Gen. 3:15 would be preserved. This promise was later amplified to Abraham.

   Galatians 3:16 states: “Now to Abraham and his Seed were the pro-mises made. He does not say, "‘And to seeds,’ as of many, but as of one, ‘And to your Seed,’ who is Christ.”

   Since all mankind comes from the lineage of Adam, Paul through the Spirit wrote,  “...in Adam all die” (1 Cor. 15:22a).

   In 2 Peter 3, the Apostle compares the judgment by the flood with the judgment by  fire. As the flood was the work of God, not man; so will the judgment by fire be. The fire will be God’s method of cleansing this earth and atmosphere so as to prepare it for a “new heavens and a new earth” for resurrected mankind.
   Before this judgment, the “little flock,” the “bride of Christ” will have been resurrected. In this judgment by fire none of the lineage of Adam will be saved from death, thus the Scripture “...in Adam all die” will be fulfilled.

   In the general resurrection of mankind, the Scripture “...in Christ shall all be made alive” (2 Cor. 15:22b) will be fulfilled.

   Only by the resurrection process can both the overcomers of this age and mankind enter into eternal life. Death in Adam will then be void. For the overcomers in the first resurrection “....the second death has no Power” (Rev. 20:6). Those of mankind who reject the full grace and knowledge of God will die for their own sins in the second death (Rev. 21:8), not because of their Adamic genes.

   When we recognize the reason God saved only eight people of Adam’s race during the flood, we can better understand why none of the Adamic race can enter the Millennial Kingdom without dying. God will have all of mankind saved from the Adamic death by the resurrection. (See 1 Tim. 2:3-7 & John 5:28,29.)

   As we wait for His will to be done on earth, let us heed the words of 2 Peter 3:11-14:
“Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look
for new heavens and a new earth in which
 righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved,
looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.”
           
                    © CDMI


***************

“I really don’t need to write you how and when all this will happen for you know quite well that the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night” (1 Thess. 5:1 & 2  New Living Translation).

“But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes as a thief” (1 Thess. 5:4  NLT).