2 Peter 3:13-14 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.… I. REFLECT ON THE GREAT CREATION AND THE PURPOSE OF GOD IN MAKING THE INFINITY OF WORLDS. That there is no adequate purpose it would be absurd, indeed almost blasphemous, to suppose. The tornado may work blindly as it tears down the forest trees in its fury; but how unworthy would be such blind, aimless work on the part of the Infinite God! A giant may put forth his portentous strength in mere vain display; but could God exert such stupendous energy in order that some fraction of its wonder might dazzle the few beholders in one world? Surely a devout faith, as well as a reasoning intelligence, must conclude that the purpose which alone explains the creation and arrangement of our earth is that it should be the home of life, and of beings able to apprehend God's will, is the actuating purpose of all the rest of the creation. II. BUT IN THIS WORLD, AT LEAST, THERE HAS BEEN FAILURE. In man's inmost nature there has been a collapse. High faith and loyalty, integrity and pureness, persistent endeavour for the right — all this has broken down, and man's moral and spiritual nature is in ruins. But into the midst of the ruin of human hope there has come the all-renewing power of a great redemption. III. HOW BOUNDLESS IS THE PROSPECT OPENED OUT TO MAN BY THIS NEW HOPE! What infinite possibility and promise of the development and application of human faculty! what a future for the researches of science and the plastic skill of art! and what sacred joy in the perfected and permanent relationships of human society! IV. OUR ATTENTION IS DIRECTED TO THE REGNANT PRINCIPLE OF THE NEW UNIVERSE. Where vice reigns all is hell; where vice and virtue are in conflict life is mingled joy and pain; but where triumphant righteousness makes its abiding home there must be health without any lurking incipiency of sickness, joy without threat of grief, love without peril of parting, and life without possibility of death. "Wherein dwelleth righteousness" — as the very coherence of the texture of the new world, and the pervasive and penetrating energy of the new life. And for this ultimate triumph of righteousness God is our guarantee. (T. F. Lockyer, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. |
    |