It is hard to listen long to news programs without hearing stories on global warming, deforestation or the impending extinction of some animal. Many public service ads state grave concerns over various environmental concerns. A few years ago, we cut down four cedars in the back yard and were informed that the law required us to replace them with four additional bushes. Do we have a shortage of bushes in Florida? Several young children of families in this congregation go to a charter school focused on studies about ecosystems and the environment. (I have affectionately nicknamed it "tree hugger school.") The level of concern over our physical world intrigues me. From a personal viewpoint, I am glad to see some effort being made to clean things up. After all, anyone who spent nearly twenty years living near Houston's smog is happy for attempts to make the air more breathable. Being a person who appreciates the beauty and splendor of nature, I am thankful for trees and the preservation of natural beauty. Who is not caused to stand in awe of the creative power and grandeur of God when looking upon Yellowstone, Yosemite, autumn on the Blue Ridge Parkway or the majestic Rocky Mountains?
In the face of the current level of concern for the physical world, however, it is sad that most people fail to see the greater importance of the spiritual world. The Bible teaches that this earth is limited in its duration. It will end in a catastrophe brought by God, not man made pollution or global warming. The context of 2 Peter 3 clearly teaches this point clearly.
In 2 Peter 3:3-4, the apostle warns of those who would deny that the Lord will actually bring judgment upon the world. He says, "Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.'"
In 2 Peter 3:5-6, the Holy Spirit reminds all of God's judgment in the flood of Noah's time. "For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water."
The next verse serves as the initial warning in this text regarding the fate of our physical world: "But the heavens and the earth which now exist are kept in store by the same word, reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men" (2 Pet. 3:7). The "heavens and earth" is a biblical expression denoting the physical dwelling place of man and the animals.
Peter clearly defines the earth about which he speaks. It is the same earth which came out of the flood in Noah's time. The earth that was changed by the water in that flood is the physical world we call our environment today. That world is "reserved for fire until the day of judgment" according to God's Word.
The next few verses promise that God's judgment upon this world will come no matter how long it is delayed. "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up" (2 Pet. 3:10).
That is plain enough for anyone to understand, isn't it? Our physical world will one day "pass away," "melt with fervent heat" and "be burned up." How? Not by global warming, but by the power of God!
But what is the point of this teaching? Peter says, "Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?" (2 Pet. 3:11-12).
The fact that this physical world will not endure forever should teach us the greater importance of spiritual things which are eternal (2 Cor. 4:18). The sad fact is that many of our environmentalist friends give great attention to the concerns of the natural world while denying the Creator and ultimate Judge. We must be aware that God is and that He will return to judge this world and its inhabitants. Knowing this, we should live in a way that is pleasing to Him.
Peter speaks of those who obey God's will as living with a great hope for a world beyond this one. "Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells" (2 Pet. 3:13).
While it is good for us to be wise stewards over this physical world, let us never fail to have greater concern over the spiritual world. That concern over the spiritual world should cause us to examine our lives to see if they are in harmony with God's will as revealed in Scripture.
When Abraham excused his lie for telling Abimilech that Sarah was his sister instead of his wife, his grounds for doing so was that "surely the fear of God is not in this place" (Gen. 20:11). He did not believe the people had any respect for either God or His will. Paul addressed certain worshippers in a synagogue in Antioch thus: "Men of Israel and ye that fear God" (Acts 13:16).
The Psalmist wrote, "Blessed is the man that feareth Jehovah" (Ps. 12:1). Among those blessings is that God's mercy is great toward those that fear Him and that He pitieth them (Ps. 103:11, 13). God takes pleasure in those who fear Him, and the fear of Jehovah can bring strong comfort (Ps. 147:11; Prov. 14:26). The fear of Jehovah is something we ought and should learn (Deut. 14:23).
First, the "fear of Jehovah" involves the respect and awe we have for Him. The Hebrew writer urged: "Let us serve God with reverence and awe" (Heb. 12:28). The Psalmist wrote: "Stand and awe and sin not. Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still" (Ps. 4:4). Sometimes one may say, "I have a healthy fear of electricity," by which that one means that he knows its power and respects it and acts accordingly. When God smote Ananias and Saphira for their sin "great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all that heard these things" (Acts 5:11).
Second, the "fear of Jehovah" is to live a life pleasing in His sight. "The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil, pride and arrogance and the evil way and perverse mouth" (Prov. 8:13). When Jews of Nehemiah's day were adding suffering to fellow Jews through their charging usury (a violation of their law), Nehemiah rebuked them and told them they ought to walk "in the fear of Jehovah" and not exact from fellow Jews (Neh. 5:9). One of Judah's good kings urged judges to walk in the fear of the Lord and not accept bribes. They were to judge righteous judgment (2 Chron. 19:9). When man cleanses himself from the defilements of flesh and spirit, he thereby perfects holiness in the "fear of the Lord" (2 Cor. 7:1). Man's whole duty is to "fear God and keep His commandments" (Eccl. 12:13).
Man is commanded to fear God (1 Peter 2:13). Such is the beginning of wisdom, knowledge and understanding (Prov. 9:10, 1:7f). We have God's assurance that "God is no respector of persons but in every nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousness is acceptable with him" (Acts 10:35).
When the penitent thief rebuked the other who mocked Jesus in his suffering, he asked, "Dost thou not fear God?" (Luke 23:40). This is a good question we would do well to ask ourselves.
--- via The Gospel Teacher, Lufkin, Texas (8/26/01) ---