New Heaven and New Earth · New heavens and new earth
2 Peter 3:10-13
Peter · ~65 AD · Status: Future · Confidence: 60%
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”
King James Version · the opening — all 4 verses are below
After the dissolution of the present order by fire, Peter directs hope to the promised new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Read the whole passage — all 4 verses (KJV)
3:10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
3:11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
3:12Looking 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?
3:13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Fulfillment References
Isaiah 65:17 Revelation 21:1 Isaiah 66:22 Romans 8:21
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
Apostolic (Oneness) PentecostalThe promise of a righteous new creation motivates apostolic holiness (v.11); the God who judges by fire also makes all things new.
JewishDraws on Isaiah 65-66's 'new heavens and new earth'; Judaism anticipates a renewed creation in the age to come (olam ha-ba).
CatholicThe renewal — not annihilation — of creation, consummated as the dwelling of righteousness.
ProtestantThe believer's hope beyond present judgment; whether creation is renewed or replaced, righteousness dwells.
OrthodoxThe transfiguration of creation, the cosmos renewed and deified in Christ, fulfilling Isaiah's promise.
DispensationalThe eternal state following the millennium and final judgment — the everlasting new creation.
AcademicScholars connect 2 Peter to Isaiah 65-66 and cosmic-renewal expectation, answering scoffers who doubted the Parousia.
Open the full interactive entry →
Audio narration (listen to this prophecy read aloud), cross-references, Hebrew/Greek, Dead Sea Scrolls notes, a prophetic timeline, network maps, study tools and multi-tradition analysis in the interactive explorer.