11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2 Peter 3:11-13 KJV)
The Day of the Lord
The apostle, having instructed them in the doctrine of Christ’s second coming, takes occasion to exhort them to purity and godliness in their whole lives. All truths revealed in Scripture should lead to godly living: “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:17). Since all these things will be destroyed, how holy should we be, turning from sin, which has corrupted all creation so badly that it must be dissolved! Everything created for our benefit has been subjected to futility by human sin. If man’s sin has brought the visible heavens and earth under a curse, requiring their destruction, then sin must be deeply evil and totally rejected.
And since this destruction prepares for their restoration to their original beauty and excellence, how pure and holy we must be to be ready for the new heaven and new earth, where righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13). The holiness he calls for is complete and consistent, not stopping at minimal effort but striving to go beyond the ordinary—holy in private and public, in worship and in daily life. All our interactions—with everyone, no matter their status or character—must be holy.
We must remain uncorrupted by the world in every situation, pursuing holiness with reverence and love for God. We must trust and find joy in God, who remains unchanged when the entire visible world will pass away. We should devote ourselves to serving and glorifying God, who is eternal, unlike worldly things that will soon disappear. Therefore, let us focus on what lasts forever, though not yet seen, and prepare ourselves for it.
“Look forward to the day of God with firm belief and heartfelt longing.” The coming day of God is something every Christian must eagerly expect. On that day, Christ will appear in the Father’s glory and prove his divine nature even to those who viewed him as merely human. His first coming, when he took on the form of a servant, was longed for by God’s people—for the consolation of Israel (Luke 2:25). How much more should we long for his second coming, the day of full redemption and glorious revelation!
Then he will be admired among his followers and glorified in all believers (2 Thessalonians 1:10). Even though the ungodly will be terrified by the fiery destruction of the heavens and the melting elements, believers—whose faith gives assurance of what is unseen—can rejoice in the hope of new heavens, refined by that fiery judgment.
True Christians look forward to new heavens and a new earth, where God’s wisdom, power, and goodness will be even clearer than in what we now see. In that renewed creation, free from previous corruption and sin, only righteousness will dwell—inhabited by those who are righteous through Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. All the wicked will be cast into hell, and only the holy will live there.
This hope is grounded in God’s promise. Expecting something not promised by God is presumption, but if we base our hope on what he has promised—both in content and timing—we will not be disappointed, “for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).
- “Let your expectations be guided by God’s word, such as what is written here (2 Peter 3:13) and in Isaiah 65:17 and 66:22, which the apostle likely references.”
- Just as in 2 Peter 3:11, he exhorts us to holiness because of the coming destruction, in verse 14, he renews the call based on the promise of a renewed world.
- “Since you are looking forward to this, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, pure and blameless (2 Peter 3:14).”