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Gen. 1:3 to
Gen. 1:1
Rev. 22:21
1 Cor. 15:24 -28
`Before the
Foundation
(or overthrow)
Age -Times
of the world'
`Before
Gen.
2 Pet. 3:10
Age -Times'
1:2
Rev. 20:14,15.
The `first' heaven and earth of Revelation 21:1 is strictly `the
former' of two (see Rev. 21:4 where the same Greek word is translated
`former'). This is the sequel to the six days' creation, not to Genesis 1:1.
A reference to Isaiah 65:17 -20, and to 66:22 -24 will show that in the new
heaven and earth (outside the Holy Mountain), death will still be possible.
Not until the end of the ages, long past the end of the Revelation will the
last enemy be destroyed and God be all in all (1 Cor. 15:24 -28).
Peter as a minister of the Circumcision, is particularly concerned with
that portion of the purpose of the ages that impinges upon the hope of
Israel. There is, however, in the history of Israel much that is typical of
vaster things, and we are not surprised, therefore, to discover much that
adumbrates the larger issues dealt with by Paul alone. This vast sweep of
the ages which we have suggested in the diagram given above, finds an echo in
the words of Peter, when he speaks of past, present and future heavens and
earth, as they appear in the prophetic view of Israel and its hope.
We may use Peter's language as a guide to the wider purpose of the ages
thus:
For Genesis 1:1 we may use the words, `the world that then was'.*
*
Although Mr. Welch is using the words of 2 Peter 3:6 to describe
Genesis 1:1, he is not suggesting that Peter was referring to Genesis 1:1 in
2 Peter 3:6. See p. 212, line 25 and p. 232, line 25.
For Genesis 1:3 -- Revelation 20:13 we may use the words, `the heavens
and the earth, which are now'.
For Revelation 21:1 the words, `new heavens and a new earth'.
Peter was `a minister of the circumcision' (Gal. 2:7 -9), and wrote his
epistles to:
`... the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia,
Asia, and Bithynia' (1 Pet. 1:1).
As 2 Peter 3 opens with the words, `This second epistle, I now write
unto you', it is evident that the chapter before us was equally addressed to
the `circumcision'. The term diaspora, `scattered' became a name to
designate `the twelve tribes scattered abroad' (Jas. 1:1), or the `dispersed
among the Gentiles' (John 7:35, R.V. margin). This term had become fixed