The Best Promise in the Bible

Men of the world naturally make the world to be the center of the universe. The world is their home; and their focus is worldly. Although death is obvious to all, the natural man cannot fathom that there is anywhere else. He invests in the world as if he will live forever. He lives in denial of his reality-to-come after the demise of his physical body. He imagines some non-existent end or maybe a reincarnation of some kind…always at a higher level of existence. All he can do is speculate.

The Bible provides a logical reason for death and a sequence of events for man’s consideration. The Bible teaches that death results from sin and is followed by judgment (Rom 6:23; Heb 9:27). The righteous judgment of God sentences guilty sinners to an eternity of punishment in the fiery hell of the lake of fire (Mt 25:41, 46; Jude 7; Rev 20:14–15). The eternal home of unrepentant sinners is outer darkness, where torment and gnashing of teeth is forever (Eccl 12:5; Mt 8:12; 22:13; 25:30).

The Christian, a true believer in Jesus Christ, lives in a world that is not his home. He is not of this world (Jn 15:19); and he knows the world is passing away (1 Cor 7:31; 1 Jn 2:1). The hope of the ungodly is empty (Eph 2:12). In contrast, the hope of the born again is blessed (Ps 146:5; Col 1:27; 1 Tim 1:1; Titus 2:13; 1 Pet 1:3). Our hope rests in the promises of God, revealed in His Word, sealed by an oath and covenant, which are all “yes” and “amen” in Christ Jesus (2 Cor 1:20).

In the book of Genesis, at the beginning of the Bible, God has provided an account of what went wrong for man and creation. In the book of Revelation at the end of the Bible, God has provided an account of His fixing the plight of man in this fallen world. New and better things are coming for those who receive Christ and the faith granted them by the Holy Spirit (Jn 1:12–13; Gal 3:22; Phil 1:29; 2 Pet 1:1).

Christians are instructed to learn about the things to come (a rather voluminous subject), even to look for them (2 Pet 3:12, 18). The second thing for us to do is to live in light of what the Spirit teaches us from the Word, regarding end things (Jn 14:26). The Apostle Peter wrote of holy conduct and godliness (2 Pet 3:11, 14). This is how we should live: in peace, spotless and blameless (2 Pet 3:14), in conformity to Christ (Rom 8:29). This exhortation from 2 Peter 3 presents us with the doctrine of sanctification, among other studies.

The Bible teaches us that sanctification is a work of God (2 Thess 2:13; 1 Pet 1:2). It is produced by the Spirit manifesting God’s Word, the Word of truth, in the believer (Jn 14:26; 17:17; Rom 8:9, 11; 1 Pet 1:2). Sanctification like every other aspect of salvation is all of grace (Eph 2:8–9). Grace is God working all things together for good for His elect, redeemed, regenerate, believing people (Rom 8:28). The product is spiritual holiness. This is His unmerited favor toward elect sinners.

Jesus left His disciples in the world (Jn 17:15). He sent them into the world to be lights in the darkness (Mt 5:14–16; Jn 17:18), witnesses to His Person and work (Acts 1:8). We see the work of the Spirit of Christ. We report to all people the glories of His grace toward us (even that is done in the power of the Spirit!). The fact of our telling others is evidence of the reality of our salvation. No one positions themselves as a fool on purpose; yet, the Christian is a fool for Christ (1 Cor 4:10) because the Gospel is foolishness for those who are perishing (1 Cor 1:18, 23). We know it is everything to us!

The best promise in the Bible is the prospect of being in the new heavens and on the new earth with Christ Jesus our Lord for eternity. This is the succinct statement of 2 Peter 3:13. This is the place where righteousness dwells. It is the place prepared by Jesus Christ, the righteous, for His people live, forever (Heb 9:11, 24; 1 Jn 2:1).

Isaiah (8th century B.C.) prophesied about this future reality, where in resurrected and glorified body and soul (Rom 6:5; 8:30; 1 Jn 3:2), God’s people dwell with God in the new creation (Is 65–66). The Apostle John was given a tour of the city of God (Rev 21–22), in the better country (Heb 11:16), promised in the better covenant (Heb 7:22; 8:6), cut with the better sacrifice (Heb 9:23). It is Jesus’ sacrifice of Himself, one time, once for all His people, that is our guarantee (Heb 7:27).

Christians are co-heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17), who is our forerunner into the glories of heaven (Heb 6:20). He has entered His inheritance and is preparing a place for each one of His own (Jn 14:2–3). One purpose for His second coming is to Judge the world in righteousness (Ps 9:8; Acts 17:31). A second purpose is to collect His bride, His church in order to deliver us from the wrath of God that Jesus Himself will inflict upon the present heavens and earth (1 Thess 1:10; Rev 19:11–21).

Revelation 21–22 detail much of God’s revelation of our eternal home. This world cannot compare, as homes go. Destruction is looming for those who have made this world their home. Eternal life in heaven is an indestructible life in the care of life Himself (Jn 14:6; Heb 7:16). Today, He ever lives to make intercession for us (Heb 7:25), even as He did in John 17.

We are waiting for Christ’s second coming and though He tarries, still, it is for us men and for our salvation (2 Pet 3:9). God is delivering on all His promises until every one of them is fulfilled to His own satisfaction. The last promise, the promise for the day of eternity, is the best promise. Just as He has and is fulfilling His Word, we can be fully assured that He will finish what He started. His Word in these matters, as in all matters, is faithful and true (Rev 22:6).

My dear reader, let us heed also as to hasten the prospect of Jesus coming again. Our ethics should match our eschatology. Therefore, let us pray for God’s grace to abound toward us in these matters of holiness and godliness. This is the work He has begun in us; and it is the work He Himself will complete (Phil 1:6). For in the end, you will know you have been preserved by Him that He may present you complete, that is, holy and blameless before the Father. All glory be to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit for so great a salvation that is ours in Christ Jesus.

David Norczyk

Spokane Valley, Washington

January 29, 2025

2 Peter 3:13