So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”   -Matthew 19:28

I want to revisit one huge passage. Perhaps the passage that informs them all, on the subject of when “regeneration” occurs, in Isaiah. I agree that Romans 8 is significant, as we will take a quick look at, but the one to which I refer is in Isaiah, but before we go there:

Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.

So what are we to make of this? Firstly, does it matter whether creation itself awaits with anticipation and eager longing? Not anticipation of dread, but of deliverance? This is the verbiage Paul used to describe an outcome. Note that the outcome is not one dread of utter and complete annihilation only to be replaced by something entirely new. Paul used terminology indicative of creation’s eager longing and anticipation of being set free. A renewing! Of course, this is hyperbolic language in that incorporeal material does not think or feel as we do, but Paul is making a statement about the passing of the curse, into “regeneration” as Jesus stated. See, in the traditional dispensational model, none of this happens until the conclusion of the Millennium, and then all creation is effectively nuked and then remade from whole cloth, as it were.

Of creation we also read in Psalm 148

3 Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! 4 Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!

5 Let them praise the name of the Lord!  For he commanded and they were created. 

            6 And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.

Yet we have this spectacular visual from Second Peter that Bible expositors are fond of pointing to as absolute undisputed truth of the way the Millennium will end and Eternity Future will begin. Mind you, I am not saying that one passage is not good enough. However, we must harmonize even a single passage with all other passages (synthesis) because the Holy Spirit is the same Author of all, so there should be no contradictions. Yet, how do we harmonize Psalm 148 and numerous other similar passages with 2 Peter 3?

Now, for that sticking point for most is 2 Peter 3:18:

Either we take it verbatim as very literal, or we say Peter is using hyperbolic exaggeration to be persuasive. There is little argument that most in the western world over the years have relied upon the former, a very literal view. Now, understand, this writer is a massively huge fan of taking a Literal perspective as the default. That is, unless… Unless context tells us that a literal approach is not the intent. It does happen. We must never fall victim to a wooden literalism, or Letter-ism

We do have plenty of texts from the prophets that address how fierce and devastating will be The Day of the Lord, the Day of His Wrath, the Great Tribulation, etc., all recognized as an era or period of time (dispensation) that will culminate in the actual day and hour that Jesus Christ returns. The problem of course is that such occurrences in scripture all refer to a pre-millennial wrath. But in the traditional Dispensational models, 2 Peter 3 is purported to take place a thousand years later! (at Point “B” illustrated below):

The Day of the Lord, the Day of His Wrath, the Day of God, etc. are all understood to be about, well… Wrath! (see Joel, for example). We know “day” is, in this case, an idiom for a time period, an era… A Dispensation, that is beyond a twenty-four hour day. The number and scope of events extend beyond a single day. However, it can rightly be understood in terms of a single day when the Lord Jesus Christ himself descends and brings everything to a final culmination of his wrath upon a certain day. The Second Coming will be such a time as we read in Revelation 19.

But on to 2 Peter 3. All things considered, is the passage about the end of the Millennium (B above)? The only reason for doing so is if one takes the passage strictly literal, which does not permit a fiery burning and melting at the beginning of the Millennium (A above). When Christ returns is “Behold, I make all things new.” He separates the sheep from the goats and establishes his Kingdom on earth, described as an idyllic time where a child could play in a viper pit and the wolf will lie down with the lamb.

We do have in Revelation 20 Satan being released at the very end, and a Gog and Magog type where a world leader gathers an army against Jesus Christ in Jerusalem (as the first Gog and Magog armies) but this time it will not be a burying of bodies for half a year and several years of burning weapons for fuel like Ezekiel 38-39. No, this time our Lord will call fire down at a word and destroy these armies in a moment! A brief hick-up to conclude this thousand year dispensation.

So, among Bible scholars, the reasoning was simply that Peter’s explosive and spectacular events must be what the New Heavens and New Earth transition will look like. In their minds, since chapter 21 is late in the book of Revelation, this must be what takes us into Eternity Future Glory. But is it? I suppose it little matters how we get there, but at the same time, what does matter is that we are consistent in interpreting scripture and that we understand some promises going all the way back to Abraham are in play and God keeps His promises!

Most folks then take 2 Peter 3 as post-millennial (“B” above) because that is where we have been told is the proper place to put it, for the reasons mentioned. It is interesting that with the use of hyperbole so prevalent in Hebrew writings, that the conclusion is to go dead-on literal. Is it because it paints so spectacular an image? It does indeed! Yet, if so, it is interesting to note that John fails to remark upon it in Revelation.

So you may be wondering, “Why on earth would you think this is hyperbole? How could you think that?” It is not such a far out in left field consideration at all, really. Exaggerative language probably comes into play more with respect to God’s wrath and judgment than any other such usage. Use a program to search “Day of the Lord” or online at biblegateway.com and see what you come up with. Use the quotes to keep your search results to a minimum. Here are a couple examples:

Jeremiah 46:10

That day is the day of the Lord God of hosts, a day of vengeance, to avenge himself on his foes. The sword shall devour and be sated and drink its fill of their blood. For the Lord God of hosts holds a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.

Isaiah 13:6, 7n6 Wail, for the day of the Lord is at hand! It will come as destruction from the Almighty.n7 Therefore all hands will be limp, Every man’s heart will melt,

Need we be reminded that ostensibly 2 Peter 3 takes place (so many would have us believe) after the Great White Throne Judgment in Revelation 21? (Again, see point “B” illustrated above). The Great White Throne is the end of Revelation 20. Who is remaining to react in such a way? Who is left to fear these events when it is all over for every last unbeliever? Satan, the Antichrist, False Prophet and all the goats are in the Lake of fire by the time Revelation 21:1 announces a New Heaven and New Earth. So if that is supposed to be afterward, it does not fit at all.

I believe we might come to the true timing and meaning of 2 Peter 3 within a grammatical and contextual examination, as well the as synthesis (all scriptures agreeing) as alluded to above that no other passage is construed (that I can think of) to portray fervent melting heat and destruction at the end of the millennium. Does the notion (or even can the notion) of a dramatic brand new Re-creation hinge on any other passage in the Bible at all? Again, I can only think of Revelation 21 which is portrayed this way by virtue of where it falls in John’s narrative, even though verses afterward depict and address conditions impossible after the Great White Throne.

So back to 2nd Peter. I really want, prayerfully to be faithful to His Word and rightly divide. It has not been easy so far to turn my back on what has been taught for many decades. Great men who I still highly respect, even if they have not necessarily been dogmatic, should be listened to, measured and appreciated. Others, such as the late Dr. Jack Kelley and indications from Dr. Michael Vlach agree.

Beginning in 2 Peter chapter 2, he is critical of false teachers. Right away Peter is bringing up judgment of angels also, the ancient world but spared Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah but spared Lot, and “the day of judgment.” So Peter in chapter 2 is already in a contextual mode of judgment. I take note this is not a spectacular portrayal of all things new in some glorious way as John depicts in Revelation 21. The whole remainder of chapter 2 is framed in what amounts to a rant of those facing judgment for their wickedness. He mentions Balaam. Also sprinkled in between is hyperbole, as with verse 17. This judgment rant brings us into the chapter in question, chapter 3.

2 Peter Chapter 3

Peter launches into the promises of the 2nd Coming and the scoffers. Then Peter writes:

     5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished.

Peter uses this illustration of one way in which the world “perished.” There’s that word! Clearly the world did not completely “perish” during the flood in terms of utter annihilation. It was purged. Then, Peter applies the same sort of “perish” as by fire.

     7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the Day of Judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

This is not unlike what Jesus said on the Mount of Olives concerning the Tribulation period; “as in the days of Noah” and with respect to the fire, “as in the days of Lot.”

Matthew 24:37 “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark”

Peter and John were present on the occasion of this sermon, as well as James and Andrew. In Luke’s account he adds:

Luke 17:28 “It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. 29 But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.

Again, this is pre-millennial. So that by the time we get to 2 Peter 3:10, we are still talking about the Day of the Lord. QUESTION: Since when is the Day of the Lord about the end of the Millennium instead of the Great Tribulation? That would be novel. And since when is (B above) the end of the Millennium, after the Great White Throne judgments, “like a thief”!

     10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

In my humble opinion, this speaks to the Great Tribulation. It does not contextually fit at the end of the idyllic Kingdom Millennium at all. It does fit “the Day of the Lord” and “the Day of God” concerning His wrath poured out on those dwelling upon the earth during the Tribulation:

     12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

So “the day of the Lord” and “the day of God” also coming “like a thief” fit the Tribulation and have always been used concerning that time. Not post-Millennial (See point “A” in the illustration above). The other language seems to work better as hyperbole concerning that time. Just as we also read concerning that time “men’s hearts will melt within them” etc. Not literally, of course. But of that time Peter falls on the common Hebrew writing technique of hyperbole to illustrate how horrific that time (Tribulation) will be. Concerning that time, Jesus himself said:

“For then there will be great tribulation, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.”   -Matthew 24:21, 22

So in my mind, I eliminate 2 Peter as having anything to do with the transition from Millennium to Eternity Future (B above). That leaves us with only Revelation 21, which is a restating of our source passage Isaiah 65 (Passage Zero) as the oldest passage, that clearly lays out the timeline as (1) Tribulation Week, a time of God’s Wrath, (2) the 2nd Coming with we, the bride with Christ, and (3) his renewal to bring about the paradise described elsewhere, particularly the Old Testament, for a thousand years. Then (4) the Great White Throne, and then (5) Eternity Future, whatever that future and its transition looks like.

Peter addressed the new heavens and new earth as well as John, but the primary original written source is Isaiah 65.

For me, the order of events in a single, flowing passage might just seal the meaning and the timing. Just as you have a “Patient Zero” who carries the original strain of a virus or a disease doctors try to find from whom to develop a cure, we might call Isaiah 65 “Passage Zero,” for it is the Primary:

So consider again (correct me if I am wrong) but the crux of the entire dispute rests upon the timing of The New Heaven and New Earth, right? It is with respect to the Millennial Kingdom, at the Beginning (Point A) or after the Millennium (Point B) in the top-most illustration.

According to Isaiah 65 then, beginning verse 17 we have the New Heaven and Earth. The verses following describe the Millennium. Therefore, if the argument hinges upon the timing, then the argument that The New Heaven and New Earth is Point B and kicks off to one degree or another, a recreation that inaugurates Eternity Future is null and void.

Is this not the case? Sure, God can do something not described because there are things He will do that are not disclosed. However, point being, such a transition of events as many understand 2 Peter 3 describes is out the window. It must be hyperbole to describe God’s judgment and wrath upon the world during the Great Tribulation, culminating in Christ’s Second Coming.  To suggest that Revelation 21 is describing events in 2 Peter 3 is a leap not supported in either text. No language matches and to suggest the context as the same is conjecture pure and simple.

The New Heaven and New Earth must be at the beginning of the Millennial Kingdom for all the previous reasons offered before. As I see it, there are only two passages offered as reasons for believing that at the end of the Millennium is the New Heaven and Earth. (1) The order of the chapters (20 and 21) in the Book of Revelation, and that, really, which chapter is perhaps chronological and which is parenthetic. Or more accurately, Revelation 20 and 21 are two chapters that take place concurrently in time. Two subjects about the same Millennial period. (2) Is 2 Peter 3 and the wording there. With respect to the former, I believe the case can be made based upon the chronological narrative of the source text in Isaiah 65 that Revelation 20 runs concurrent and addresses the outcomes of the various persons from the point of Christ’s 2nd Coming. Chapter 21 goes back and picks up the narrative with respect to events (the action, if you will) resuming the narrative from chapter 19. (See my articles re: New Heaven and New Earth).

In short, my position has been that Christ will Refresh or Renew from the moment his foot touches down on the Mount of Olives and it splits, healing fresh waters spilling forth into the seas that have become blood. We, as the Bride, have returned with him in our home New Jerusalem. This is the best way to harmonize all the passages without having conflicts in the biblical narrative. It may be uncomfortable for us to swallow, at first, that might have had the matter out of order, but I for one can think of a better way to harmonize these glorious events during the end. I also wish to thank Dr. Michael Vlach for pointing out the same timing in sharing Matthew 19:28

          28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne              of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Did you catch that? the “regeneration” is the same term for the “renewal.” Notice when it happens; “when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory.” When is that? At the inauguration of the Kingdom on Earth.

As always, feel free to jump in and share your thoughts. A little back and forth cannot hurt!

  Related:   Part 1 The Millennium New Heaven & New Earth (10 parts)