Will the New Earth and New Heaven be Blown Apart By Fire?

Dr. Couch, will the earth be restored to its sinless state, as it was before the fall? Will the new earth and new heaven also be blown apart by fire as mentioned by Peter? ANSWER:  We have a preview of the final stage of world history. The Bible tells us God will "create a new heavens and a new earth," for "the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind" (Isa. 65:17). When the new heavens and new earth come into being, the old life, and the dysfunctional sinful universe will be forgotten!    As for believers, we shall, as Peter says, "lay aside this earthly dwelling" (2 Pet. 1:13-14). This was explained to him by the Lord in regard to his new body, but of course, the same thing will happen to all those in Christ, not simply just to Peter!    Revelation 21 gives us a full panorama of information about the new heaven and the new earth. Sin will be eradicated as indicated in verse 4. "He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first [of these] things [will] have passed away." Christ will be "making all things new" (v. 5). The nations will walk in the light of the new Jerusalem (21:23-27). There will be nothing "unclean" (v. 27a) and there will be no "one who practices abominations and lying" (v. 27b). Evil, and those who practice evil, will be excluded from the new state of the "renovated" universe (22:6-17).    Before the new state is inaugurated "the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up" (2 Pet. 3:10, 12). Because this present system will be destroyed, we are not to cling to it as if it is to last forever. We should look carefully at ourselves, and examine our present attitudes, as to "what sort of people we ought to be in holy conduct and godliness" (v. 11).       I hope this helps. Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch