The Hope of a New Earth

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There is a sound basis for hoping to see a better world because there is a God in heaven even as all nature testifies. And from his Word, the Bible, we learn that he is a loving, just, all-seeing and all-powerful God. That being so, we can rest assured that he takes note of present conditions and therefore in righteous indignation will make an end of them, even as he foretold some twenty-five centuries ago: "Wait ye for me, saith Jehovah, until the day that I rise up to the prey; for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them all mine indignation, even all my fierce anger; for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy." (Zeph. 3:8, AS) That event is elsewhere in the Bible described as Armageddon.

But perhaps you will ask, What good will that do if in wiping out earth"™s evil conditions God at the same time destroys the earth itself, consuming it with fire, burning it to a cinder? However, let us not hastily jump to any such conclusion, for God"™s Word uses figurative as well as literal language.

That we are not to think of the literal earth as being consumed by fire is apparent from many other assurances that God has given us. For example, the one at Isaiah 45:18 (AS) where we read: "For thus saith Jehovah that created the heavens, the God that formed the earth and made it, that established it and created it not a waste, that formed it to be inhabited: I am Jehovah; and there is none else." If God created the earth to be inhabited, then it must endure, must it not? Specifically guaranteeing the permanency of this globe, God"™s inspired Record states: "A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains for ever.""”Eccl. 1:4, RS.

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"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?
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." 2 peter 12-13 KJV.

In Rev. 21:1, John said, "Isaw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first Heaven and theEarth were passed away."

Isaiah 65:17,"For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former shall not be remembered nor come into mind.'

Isiah 66:22, "For the new heavens and New earth which I will make-"