Read for This Week’s Study: 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:3, 22;
1 John 3:2, 3; 1 Pet. 1:22; Isa. 25:8; Rev. 22:3–5.
Memory Text: “Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I
make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words
are true and faithful’ ” (Revelation 21:5, NKJV).
Scripture gives us this hope: “But according to His promise we are
looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness
dwells” (2 Pet. 3:13, NASB).
For some, however, the promise of “a new heaven and a new earth”
(Rev. 21:1) seems like a fantasy, stories told by those in power who
used the hope of an afterlife to help keep the masses in line. The idea
being: Though you have it hard at present, one day you will have your
reward in heaven, or the like.
And though some people have used the future hope presented in the
Bible that way, their abuse doesn’t change the truth of the promises that
we have regarding the new heavens and the new earth.
In the last days, scoffers will ridicule our blessed hope (2 Pet. 3:3–7).
But their scoffing, just as predicted, could be seen as more evidence
that what the Bible says is true, for they are scoffing as the Bible pre-
dicted they would.
During this week we will reflect on the glorious promise of a new
heaven and a new earth, including the heavenly temple, the presence
of God, the end of death and tears—and, finally, the ultimate triumph
of God’s love.
