Throughout the Scriptures symbolic language is found that the unsteady are easily stumbled by. Here's some examples: (2 Peter 3:7) But by the same word the heavens and the earth that now exist are reserved for fire and are being kept until the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly people.
If from the above verse we are to take the heavens to mean the sun, moon, stars and earth were to be incinerated by fire it would raise the question ' How much hotter than a nuclear furnace would the fire need to be'? It would make no sense at all. The result is to be " destruction of the ungodly people." The physical universe is in complete harmony with God's purpose. Peter was familiar with Isaiah 65:17 and 66:22. He quoted them at 2 Pet 3:13. The " heavens " represent ruling powers . The earth the society over which they rule. Here's some examples: (Ephesians 6:12) because we have a struggle, not against blood and flesh, but against the governments, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places.
(Isaiah 14:12) How you have fallen from heaven, O shining one, son of the dawn! How you have been cut down to the earth, You who vanquished nations! This refers not to Satan, but to the Babylonian dynasty.
(Genesis 11:1) Now all the earth continued to be of one language and of one set of words. (Psalm 96:1) Sing to Jehovah a new song. Sing to Jehovah, all the earth!
Jesus championed God's word! (John 17:17) Sanctify them by means of the truth; your word is truth.
So too do his footstep followers. There are no contradictions in the Holy Writings.
