by C. Parker Thomas
“And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
“And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
“And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you,
“For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” Matt. 24:1-5
It is obvious from the scriptures that the disciples associated the end of the world with the second coming of Christ. Although Jesus went into a lengthy account of the things that would happen in the interim period between his first coming and his second coming, there is no suggestion that there would be a thousand years, plus a seven year tribulation, plus a little season between his second coming and the end of the world.
To the contrary, Matt. 24, by spirit and letter, teaches just the opposite. When it refers to his actual coming, the message is one of warning and urgency to be prepared for that day because it will come suddenly and there will be no more time left. This is also the message and tenor of many other scriptures in the Old and the New Testaments. Isa. 24:17-20, Mal. 4:1, Luke 17:28-30, Matt. 24:37-39, I Thess. 5:1-4, II Thess. 1:7-10 and II Peter 3:1-14.
The things he enumerated were characteristic of the entire age that would climax in his coming with power and great glory. Matt. 24:30, II Thess. 1:7-10. And it is obvious from a casual reading of Matthew 24 that all these things would lead up to this final cataclysmic event. His actual coming will be suddenly and without warning for most of the world.
STRONG DELUSION
Except for those who make the midnight cry and a very few who will be awakened at the midnight hour (Matt. 25:6-7), the world as a whole will be almost totally unprepared and indifferent to his coming. “Eating, drinking, marrying and giving in marriage” doesn’t sound like people who are facing doomsday. Matt. 24:37-39.
In fact, it sounds like a people who expect the world to go on indefinitely. This sounds exactly like those Peter referred to who would be saying, “Where is the promise of his coming, for since the fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were.” II Peter 3:3-4.
Man’s mind will be so oriented through the delusive influence of Satan that he will actually believe Jesus’ coming couldn’t take place at this particular time. No doubt general unbelief in the reality of all things pertaining to Christ will be the greatest reason for man’s indifference. Luke 18:8. This is why his coming will be as a thief in the night or in such an hour as they think not. Matt. 24:44.
The road to darkness is rejection of light. John 12:35-36. This was man’s condition before the flood, Gen. 6:5, and it will be man’s condition at the coming of Christ. Strong delusion is sent of God when men love not the truth that they might be saved. II Thess. 2:10-12.
Since the cardinal truth of the Bible has to do with the revelation of Jesus Christ the propitiation for man’s sin its purpose is to enlighten and bring to faith the lost sheep. Although many will hear the message from an audible standpoint, only the sheep will hear his voice and take his word seriously. John 10:27.
Were it not for the religious content of strong delusion, it wouldn’t be strong delusion. I personally believe the vast majority of religious people are lost.
After going on the air in three different states I have listened to several different preachers on the radio these past few weeks and, frankly, I didn’t begin to realize the spiritual desolation that exists.
This is also true of most of the television preachers. And the sad thing is that those who listen to this garbage don’t know the difference. It is not only sickening but it will make those sick who listen to it day after day. I believe this is the day Isaiah pointed to when he said, “For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so there is no place clean.” Isa. 28:8
The motivation of most of this type ministry is so transparent and obvious that I don’t see how in the world people can be deceived by it. However, let’s not forget the condition of the scribes and Pharisees when God sent John the Baptist into this world. Jesus said, “But woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.” Matt. 23:13.
In the midst of all that religious delusion and hypocrisy, John was the voice in the wilderness. How can we expect anything different at his second coming? Read all of Matt. 23 which gives you a picture of what Jesus saw in them.
LAST OVERTURE
John’s ministry followed by Jesus and the early church was God’s last overture to apostate Israel. Were it not for a very small remnant, even in Isaiah’s day, God would have judged the nation even as he did Sodom and Gomorrah. Isa. 1:1-15.
The record of Israel set forth in the Bible is one of apostasy, from king to king and generation to generation. Elijah was so depressed over this apostate condition until he felt he was the only person left who wanted God. This is why he said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altar, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” I Kings 19:10.
In fact, there has never been but a very small remnant of people capable of hearing the voice of the Lord. This is true of the Jewish nation as well as the Gentile world. Rom. 9:1-9, 27-29, Rom. 11:5, Matt. 7:13-14, Luke 13:23-24.
Although great multitudes have heard the gospel in this dispensation and have been influenced to outwardly embrace professing Christianity, there has been very little evidence of vital reality. Only the sheep have heard his voice and followed him. John 10:27.
The ministry of Christ and his disciples before Pentecost was to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matt. 10:5-6, 15:24. In reference to the outcalling of the Gentiles, Jesus said, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” John 10:16.
The traditional concept held by Christendom that the nation Israel will be converted during the tribulation period is false. This return of the Jew to Palestine so far as being a fulfillment of scripture is concerned is one of many lying signs and wonders. The truth is, most of the Jewish people are still scattered among the nations of the earth.
THE TRUE JEW
The true Jew is spiritual and not natural and always has been. Rom. 2:28-29 says, “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”
Paul makes a distinction between the spiritual or true Israelite and natural Israel in Romans 9:6-7. “…For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.”
The true seed of Abraham, those who partake of the covenanted promise, were not natural but spiritual. This is the meaning of Galatians 3:29 which says, “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
The dispensationalists who say that the Jew is the wife of Jehovah and the Gentile church is the bride of Christ are in great error. The true Jew looked forward to the cross and we Gentiles look back to the cross.
All, whether Jew or Gentile, are saved by the same grace of God and are brought together in one in Christ Jesus. To the Ephesians Paul said, “Now, therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
“In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
“In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Eph. 2:19-22.
That certainly makes it plain that there will be no division in the body of Christ. The devil through misguided man is the author of division and confusion. I Cor. 14:33, Gal. 3:26-29. This should make it plain and simple to anyone where the multitudes of denominations, sects, cults and religions come from.
APOSTATE CHRISTIANITY
The ecumenical movement that thinks they can make all these divergent brands one is not just a fantasy, it is a delusion. It is part of Satan’s counterfeit, a conspiracy to make one world in religion, race, government and economy with him (Satan) the head of it all. It’s like some mad scientist taking rattlesnakes, cobras, cottonmouths, coral snakes and copperheads and trying to make them one harmless reptile that he can manipulate and use as he wishes.
Present day professing Christianity is another tower of Babel whose tongues have been confounded by God Almighty. The spirit that motivated the original builders is the same motivating force behind most of the world’s religion. Gen. 11:1-9.
Any union or facade of togetherness is a Satanic counterfeit. The seven women of Isaiah 4:1 will continue to eat their own bread (doctrine) and wear their own apparel (self-righteousness). They want his name to give them outward respectability but not his word and righteousness.
The end of the great whore, mother of harlots and abominations of the earth, is to be burned with fire. Rev. 17:1-18. As far as I am concerned there are many signs pointing to this day of judgment. The fact that professing Christianity thinks they have all these things figured out doctrinally is part of the delusion of II Thess. 2:11-12.
As apostate Israel was blind to Christ’s first coming, apostate Christianity is blind to his second coming. It is this blindness that enables him to come as a thief in the night. Matt. 24:44, I Thess. 5:1-3, II Peter 3:10, Rev. 3:3 and 16:15.
APOSTATE ISRAEL
This traditional concept of Israel’s being restored and converted as a nation is false. As a nation Israel has never been converted. It has always been a very small remnant. The same is true of the Gentile world.
Israel’s rebellion against God was long and often. Their religious form with their sacrifices and oblations and burning of incense had become an abominable mockery. Isa. 66:1-4. Prophet after prophet sent from God had warned them of this condition. Through the prophet Amos the Lord said, “I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.
“Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offering, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.
“Take thou away from me the noise of thy song; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.
“But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.” Amos 5:21-24.
When it comes to such scriptural pronouncements as these, religious people simply ignore them and continue to quote their traditional sayings, “Israel is God’s chosen people and Palestine is the Holy Land. And those who stand by and bless Israel will be favored and blessed of God.”
It is such blindness as this that has caused our nation to pour billions of dollars into the military defense and establishment of Israel. Many of our political and religious leaders think this is our sacred duty. This includes presidents, senators, congressmen and many of our well known evangelists and spiritual leaders.
Then we have the Holy Land tour people, including many preachers who make merchandise of simple souls who think one of life’s greatest honors is to tour the Holy Land. Of course the Arabs, Jews and some Americans are making an easy fast buck showing them the supposedly sacred historic sites.
One radio preacher was asking his listeners to send in their names and prayer requests with their offerings to pay his way to the Holy Land. He promised to lay his hands of faith and power on their prayer requests and then bury them in the soil of Palestine.
Several years ago one enterprising radio evangelist went on one of these tours and just happened to take a suitcase filled with linen into the tomb of Jesus to pray. Lo and behold, later on when he opened the suitcase the linen had turned blood red! And of course he was sending out little squares cut out of this linen to all who would send in an offering of ten dollars or more.
Many radio listeners have received holy water from the Jordan River, chips of wood from the cross or an olive tree in the garden. Prayer pacts, pictures of the rapture, anointed handkerchiefs, tapes, books and special Bibles are just a few of the many wonderful things you can get by sending in your offerings.
Coming over into the New Testament Jesus said, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
“Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous.
“And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
“Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
“Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
“Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
“Wherefore, behold I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
“That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
“Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
“Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
“For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” Matt. 23:27-39.
The spirit of error and rebellion is ministered from generation to generation and goes all the way back to self-righteous Cain and the murder of his brother Abel. Stephen said to those who stoned him to death, “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ear, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.” Acts 7:51.
Although God is long suffering, he will not forever condone and deal with any race or people or individual who resist his love and mercy. What God said before the flood is also true of mankind before the second coming of Christ. “…My Spirit shall not always strive with man…” Gen. 6:3.
As far as I am concerned what Jesus said is still true and their house is left unto them desolate. Paul made a clear distinction between earthly Jerusalem which is desolate and in bondage and Jerusalem from above which is free. Gal. 4:19-31.
True Christianity, whether Jew or Gentile, is always hated and persecuted by the natural religious man. Paul made note of this in his first epistle to the church of Thessalonica. “For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
“Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:
“Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.” I Thess. 2:14-16.
Are we going to believe the Old Testament references to Israel, Jerusalem and Zion as applying strictly to an earthly people? Can’t we see that these references are types which point to a spiritual people and their greater fulfillment has to do with God’s people, Jew and Gentile, the everlasting covenant and eternal things?
God’s purpose from the beginning was to save and share his glory with a people from all nations, kindreds and tongues and make them one in Christ Jesus. Rev. 5-9. And this is exactly what He has been doing. With the out- calling of the Gentiles the work will be over. Eph. 2:14-22 says, “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
“Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
“And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
“And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
“For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
“In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord;
“In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
GOD’S WRATH
What happened to the Jew as a whole is what is happening to the Gentile world. Soon it will be said of both “…for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost,” I Thess. 2:16.
God has manifested his wrath in many ways at various times; against individuals, against cities, against nations and finally it will be the entire world.
The flood, Gen. 6:5-7, is an example of his wrath. So is Sodom and Gomorrah and the rebellion and conspiracy of Korah. Gen. 18 and 19, Num. 16:1-35. In fact the Bible is one example after another of God’s wrath against wicked and rebellious men.
The first aspect of God’s wrath which is seldom recognized is when he ceases to strive with man. Speaking of Israel in the wilderness, the Lord said, “Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.” Heb. 3:10-11.
The most terrible and final aspect of God’s wrath begins with destruction of the earth, the judgment of man and finally the lake of fire.
This awful day is pictured in Rev. 6:12-17. “And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
“And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
“And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
“And the kings of earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
“And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
“For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”
Read also Rev. 11:15-19 and 20:11-15.
This idea of apostate Christianity that Israel continues to be God’s holy or chosen people and Palestine the holy land is completely contrary to what the scriptures actually teach. Anyone with a little knowledge of the Bible knows that Sodom and Gomorrah became synonymous for wickedness or moral corruption. Gen. 13:13.
The sexual perversion of sodomy looked upon the by the Lord as a vile evil was also condemned by the law. Those guilty of sodomy were not allowed to live in Israel. Deut. 23:17, I Kings 14:24, I Kings 22:46.
Did you know that Isaiah called Israel Sodom and Gomorrah? Isa. 1:9-10. Did you know that Jerusalem where the Lord was crucified is referred to as Sodom and Egypt in Rev. 11:8? Sodom actually is used as a type of people or place that God has abandoned to judgment. Jer. 23:14, 49:17-18, Amos 4:11-12.
Matt. 11:20-24 says, “Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
“Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
“But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
“And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
“But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.”
Only one thing is considered worse than such moral corruption as existed in Sodom and Gomorrah and that is rebellion against God. In fact, moral decay such as homosexuality, fornication, incest and all types of spiritual perversion is one of the main characteristics of a society before judgment.
THE WORLD TODAY
We have no conception of how our world has become such a cesspool of iniquity. Gays are no longer in their closets. They not only justify their perversion but they brazenly demand acceptance and respect by society. And much of our political establishment is catering to them.
A young man that I have known for years was just telling me about an experience he and a buddy had not long ago. They went into a bar and were almost immediately surrounded by what they, at first thought were women. But, as the supposed women gathered around them and began to fondle them they realized it was men dressed in women’s clothing, wearing make-up and earrings.
This is not an isolated incident but is becoming more and more common in our country and the rest of the world. The recent T.V. movie portraying an incestuous relationship between a father and his daughter is far more common than most of us would dare realize. These things are symptomatic of a condition in people who have not only been abandoned by God but they have been turned over to a reprobate mind in the process. Rom. 1:18-32, II Thess. 2:10-12.
When gay preachers start churches so they can minister to gay congregations, people with a conscience need to get out of Sodom before the fire and brimstone begins to fall. This is an example of spiritual and moral perversion joined together. I think spiritual perversion is worse because it is more subtle. It is easier to hide under a self righteous cloak of religion.
The traditional concept of end time events clouds the whole issue of Christ’s return and what will really take place. Things not understood are the falling away, the man of sin, the destiny of the Jew, the tribulation and the binding and loosing of Satan plus the millennium.
Failure to understand these things keeps professing Christians from an awareness of the imminent return of Christ and the end of the world. This spiritual blindness is a masterpiece of satanic deception. This is why Jesus will come as a thief in the night or in such an hour as they think not.
The most tragic aspect of this delusion is that men think they will still have time after Jesus comes. This doctrinal error causes them to plan on a tomorrow that will never come.
The Jewish nation, as such, will never be converted. There will be no golden thousand years of peace and tranquillity with Jesus reigning from an earthly Jerusalem.
Jesus will reign, but it will be from his throne in heavenly Jerusalem and it will be for eternity and not a thousand years. Hopefully, Jews, as well as Gentiles, may still be converted as individuals. But this becomes more and more difficult as Satan’s delusive power increases its hold upon the minds of men. The Gentile age is also coming to a close in a state of apostasy in the same manner that the Jewish dispensation ended.
The closing of the church age will usher in eternity, Jew and Gentile will have had their opportunity.
SEVENTH TRUMPET
Beyond doubt, the sounding of the seventh trumpet comes within a time frame in which many things will take place in rapid sequence and some simultaneously. The sounding of the seventh trumpet will finish the mystery of God. These are things sovereignly hid in Daniel’s day till the time of the end. Dan. 12:4.
The mystery of God is any truth reserved or hidden until the appointed time. I personally believe it is truth that will clear up the confusion and error that has infiltrated the church during the falling away which began not too long after Pentecost. It is because of error and tradition that the organized church system today is a lifeless, religious form.
The evening time light will also clear up many types and shadows that we have seen through a glass darkly. I Cor. 12:9-12, Zech. 14:6-7. the consummation of the ages will bring about a restoration of all things climaxing in new heavens and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. II Peter 3:13.
Notice in Rev. 10:2 that the mighty angel which comes down from heaven has in his hand a little book that is open. This means the book is no longer closed. The mystery of God will be finished during the days of the voice of the seventh angel. Rev. 10:7. This is the same book that was closed in the hand of him that sat on the throne in Rev. 5:1-10.
The Lamb alone who had been slain was worthy to take the book and open it. No man in heaven or earth or under the earth was worthy. We know this Lamb slain from the foundation of the world is our Lord Jesus Christ. Rev. 13:8.
The reason there has been such a mixture of doctrinal extremes in professing Christianity is because the natural religious man has presumptuously tried to open the book apart from Christ the head. This is impossible because everything that relates to God and his kingdom is a mystery. When Satan through man replaced Christ as head of the church, mystery Babylon was the result. Rev. 17:5.
The following mysteries cannot possibly be understood apart from the revelation of Jesus Christ. The mystery of the kingdom. Mar 4:11. The mystery of God’s wisdom. I Cor. 2:7. The mystery of God’s will. Eph. 1:9. The mystery of Christ. Eph. 3:4. The mystery of Christ and the church. Eph. 5:32. The mystery of the gospel. Eph. 6:19. The mystery of God. Col 2:2. The mystery of iniquity. II Thess. 2:7. The mystery of the faith. I Tim. 3:9. The mystery of godliness. I Tim. 3:16. Mystery Babylon the Great. Rev. 17:5.
Everything, visible and invisible, pertaining to both realms is a mystery without the revelation of Christ. This is why the Father said in Matt. 17:5, “…This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”
The revelation of Christ symbolized by the opening of this book is simply an understanding of God’s word that enables the church to function as the body of Christ in the earth. The beginning of the sounding of the seventh trumpet is the restoration of this truth lost through the apostasy that started not too long after Pentecost.
There must be a restoration of the church before Jesus comes. We might say this restoration is a prelude to his coming. During this apostate period the church has been sustained by times of refreshing. Acts 3:18-23.
The climax or end of the sounding of this trumpet is the literal coming of Christ, rapture of the saints and destruction of the whole created universe. At this point in time the messenger to John on the Isle of Patmos said, “…Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and him that is holy, let him be holy still.
“And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be.” Rev. 22:10-12.
It is significant that it is the prophecy of the book and not the book itself that is not to be sealed at this time. This is actually the juncture or point timewise between time and eternity. Why prophecy? Because the very last thing on God’s prophetic timetable is being fulfilled. Prophecy, as far as man and the world is concerned will be a thing of the past.
There will be no more preaching. The church will have served its purpose. All types and shadows will be fulfilled. This means that the wicked or unrighteous must remain as they are. And, of course, the righteous or holy will remain as they are. Actually, it is the end.
As far as the world of mankind is concerned, they will not see these things. In fact, most of the religious world will not see or understand what is taking place. Traditional doctrines have blinded them to the simple teaching of God’s word.
This is why Christ’s return will be as a thief in the night. II Peter 3:10-13 gives us the exact picture of how it will take place. Why can’t we believe it?
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
“Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
“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?
“Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” II Peter 3:10-13.