A Blessed Anticipation

We are again at the beginning of a new year. What this year will bring us we do not know. What we do know is that one generation is coming while another is going. Perhaps there are some among us whose thread of life will be cut off this year. Perhaps you are among those for whom this year it will become eternity. After all, we do not know the day of our death. This applies not only to old or sick people but also to young and strong people. Have we taken into account that our end might not be peace? No, we do not know what will happen to us this year. It is all determined by God’s eternal counsel, but if we look at the circumstances, then we have difficult times ahead of us. How wretched are those who have to go through life alone, who have no Refuge or Helper.

On the other hand, may we not pay too much attention to circumstances, knowing that—in everything that happens —it is God who rules. May we therefore commend one another to Him, that He may supply all our needs according to body and soul in glory. If we may look to Him and take refuge with Him, we need not be gloomy despite the darkness of the times. After all, there is expectation for God’s Church. The Apostle Peter speaks of this blessed expectation in our text when he says: “Nevertheless we…look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”

Peter does not mean by these words that there will be new heavens and a new earth but that the heavens and earth will be renewed. God will recreate them. What will be new is that the heavens and earth will no longer be separate as they are now because of sin. After all, in Adam, we have torn ourselves loose from God. Because of this there has been a breach not only between God and us but also between the heavens and the earth. In heaven is a God who is wroth because of sin, and on the accursed earth is a hell-worthy sinner who cannot exist before God. Therefore, this earth has become a valley of tears. Yet, says Peter, it will become different. It will not remain as it is now. There will be “new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth right eousness.” Now the earth is full of unrighteousness and is inhabited by unrighteous people, but soon there will be no more sin or sinners.

Then the glory of Christ’s Surety work will be seen. Surely, He is the Ladder of Jacob, which connects heaven and earth. It is He who not only bore the iniquity of His people and atoned for their sin but also acquired for them a righteousness valid before God so that they can dwell with God again and God with them. In this dispensation it is still only in part, but one day His people will be perfect in body and soul. Then the fear of God will rule all and everything, and that will never change. After all, righteousness will “dwell” there, which points to durability. There will be no more sin, nor will the consequences of sin be found there. “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain” (Isaiah 11:9a). Then even “the mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness” (Psalm 72:3). Oh, who will be able to describe the salvation that awaits God’s Church? It will be a salvation that “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man” (1 Corinthians 2:9a). What a blessed expectation for those who have learned to hate sin and who have received a delight in God’s law.

One day they will no longer have to grieve because of the iniquities around them and in them. No wonder they yearn for it. Peter says: We look for! And looking for is quite different from waiting. It actually means to look forward to with longing (with anticipation and expectation). Yet, will they not be disappointed in this expectation? How many expectations are not fulfilled? It is true, but this expectation is well-founded. This ground is solid because it rests on God’s promise. Peter says we look for it according to His promise.

It is a very old promise. Isaiah already spoke of it: “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind” (Isaiah 65:17). That promise was later confirmed to John. On Patmos he saw “…a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea” (Revelation 21:1). Oh, the expectation of God’s Church rests on God’s promise. Therefore, it does not disappoint. For it is not a promise of man, but of God, and He will not alter the thing that is gone out of His lips. No matter how the world mocks or how the doubting voices rant, a better portion is prepared for you.

Your salvation is dawning!

In view of this expectation, Peter goes on to say, “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless” (2 Peter 3:14). On the basis of this blessed expectation, he calls for a pious walk. It is as if he wants to say: if you may have this blessed expectation, let this also be seen in your life. Let your conversation be in heaven to look for Christ for salvation. Then do not live as the heathens who are absorbed in the things of this age and only ask: what shall we eat, what shall we drink, and wherewithal shall we be clothed? You do not need to be anxious. Your life is in God’s hand. He will take care of you. If we believe this, then we may be thankful in prosperity, patient in adversity, and trusting concerning the future (Lord’s Day 10). We will strive to win Christ and through Him taste that peace which passes all understanding and keeps your heart and mind. We shall put our affection on things above and find our delight in them, saying with Simeon, “Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word: for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation” (Luke 2:29&30). p

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