Growing Our Harmony – Part 1
A New Kingdom

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:12-13

…as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

The benefit of the first beatitude – being Kingdom people – just keeps getting bigger and better. In our scripture today we are reminded of the final destination of this worldly Kingdom where we now live…a fiery destruction. Peter tells us that the elements will literally melt in the heat. 2 Peter 3:10 tells us that the heavens will disappear with a roar. In other words, God plans to destroy the earth and the entire atmosphere. Then Peter asks a pointed question in 2 Peter 3:11: “What kind of people ought we to be, knowing all this is coming?” The Apostle proceeds to give the obvious answer: “You ought to live holy and godly lives as we look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.”

This is scary stuff for people who live only for this worldly Kingdom! But for God’s Kingdom people, we have been given a promise. There is a new and final Kingdom coming that has been prepared for us to live in throughout eternity! Think of it, a new heaven (an atmosphere without pollution) and a new earth (a dwelling place that is pure and wholesome) that will become our home forever. I love how Peter describes our new home… “a home of righteousness!” A home without the influences of immorality, unethical practices or deceitful allurements!

When speaking of the benefits of the beatitudes, this new Kingdom that we look forward to surely takes first place in every believer’s heart!

Father, as I consider all that you are preparing for me, I know what kind of person I ought to be. By your grace, I will be! In Jesus’ name, amen.