New Heavens, New Earth

Peter wrote to Christians scattered across the face of the Earth to encourage them in time of persecution. It is instructive to note how he encouraged them. Peter did not encourage the persecuted believers by speaking of the coming social and political ascendancy of the institutional church. Peter did not suggest that the destruction of Jerusalem by Rome was their hope. He failed to mention St. Constantine the Great; he offered no future event "in time and on Earth" as the basis of their hope. To encourage the poor Christians, Peter spoke of their irrevocable election to salvation in Christ Jesus, an "inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, that does not fade away, reserved in Heaven for you who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." Such a salvation is derided by both atheists and churchgoers as "pie in the sky." But for Peter and for all Christiansit is hope that does not fade away.