2 Peter 3:13: But According To His Promise We Are Waiting For New Heavens And A New Earth In Which Righteousness Dwells.

2 Peter 3:13
[13] But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (ESV)
 

Many people hear of God's return and they can only think to mock. The idea of God is absurd to him. The thought of him coming to bring and end to the earth as we know it is even more preposterous. This is because they do not know him. This is why the false teachers did nothing but mock the coming judgment for their false deeds. They truly did not know God at all.

It is very different for those who know the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ. When we think of His return we are filled with joy deep in our hearts. We know that his coming means new heavens and a new earth. It would easy to take delight in the reality of the physical wonder and beauty of new heavens and a new earth, but there is something else that the Apostle Peter describes.

This new heavens and a new earth are described as a location where righteousness dwells. There will be no devil, tempting us to commit sins against our Savior. There will be no wicked people there. They will already be in a place of eternal punishment. There will no longer be fear of the harm that others can do to us. There will be no murder, theft, adultery, lying, etc.

Righteousness will dwell in the new heavens and a new earth. Jesus himself will be there. We will fall at his feet in adoration. Our hearts will eternally be filled with joy. How tragic that those who have rejected Christ will miss out on the glory that he will share with his own. Those who have mocked will one day know how foolish they are. They will be locked out of the place in which righteousness dwells.

Is there someone whom you know that needs to surrender their lives to Jesus? Keep praying for them. Continue to plead with the Savior that they will be with you in the place where righteousness dwells.