2 Peter 3:12 KJV
[12] “looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?”
The phrase “looking for” means “to expect.” As believers, we know that the end is coming soon. We know that this world is going to be consumed with fire, and the heavens are going to be dissolved. Peter gives us a vivid and fearful picture of what the end will look like. If I were reading these verses and not saved, then I would not hesitate another second. I would get born again today because the end is drawing near.
As believers, we are aware of the destruction that will come upon this world. The Word has declared what terrible things will take place during that time, but we know that another day is coming. We are looking forward to the coming of the “Day of God.” There is going to be a new heaven and a new earth. The Day of God will be glorious for the child of God.
Noah was not looking forward to the judgment that was coming in his day, which included the destruction of the earth and all the living creatures upon it, and the souls that were going to die outside of the ark. It was a dreadful and fearful day for him and his family when the Lord shut the door of the ark. However, the same door that shut a lost world out was the same door that shut them safely inside. God made provision for those who found grace and trusted in Him. As they were shut up in the ark, they looked forward to the day when the ark would land safely, and the door would be opened again. They were longing for the time when they would step out of the ark into a brand new world free from the judgment and society they once knew. Finally, the day came when the destruction had passed, and the judgment was over. When Noah and his family came out of the ark, the world was the closest it had been to perfection since the Garden of Eden. I understand that the world was still under a curse and that Noah and his family were still sinners, but what I am saying is that there was no ungodly influence or society. The Lord had made a new world for him and his family to live in.
One of these days, all judgment will be over. There will be no sin, no Satan, and no sinners left to roam free on God’s creation. It will be the Day of God, and we will live in a new heaven and a new earth. We will live in a world beyond anything we could have ever imagined. Oh, what a glorious day that will be!