II Peter 3:7
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And by that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
(Compare Job 28:5, end). which are now--"the postdiluvian visible world." In contrast to "that then was," Pe2 3:6. the same--Other oldest manuscripts read, "His" (God's). kept in store--Greek, "treasured up." reserved--"kept." It is only God's constantly watchful providence which holds together the present state of things till His time for ending it.
Open source ↗The apostle drawing towards the conclusion of his second epistle, begins this last chapter with repeating the account of his design and scope in writing a second time to them (Pe2 3:1-2). II. He proceeds to mention one thing that induced him to write this second epistle, namely, the coming of scoffers, whom he describes (Pe2 3:3-7). III. He instructs and establishes them in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to judgment (Pe2 3:8-10). IV. He sets forth the use and improvement which Christians ought to make of Christ's second coming, and that dissolution and renovation of things which will accompany that solemn coming of our Lord (Pe2 3:11-18).
Open source ↗3:7 The Old Testament associates fire with the day of the Lord (see Isa 30:30; 66:15-16).
Open source ↗Cross-references
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But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth below; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and its people will die like gnats. But My salvation will last forever, and My righteousness will never fail.
as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt in the heat.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
if all this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.
Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
Then I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them.
In like manner, Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, who indulged in sexual immorality and pursued strange flesh, are on display as an example of those who sustain the punishment of eternal fire.