2 Peter 3
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat,
the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
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Oilburner, if you expect the earth to be burned up literally, then you would need to expect the heavens to be burned up as well according to 2 Pet 3:7& 10. What sort of fire would that need to be to consume the already intensely hot sun and stars?
At Genesis 11:1, 1 Chronicles 16:31, Psalm 96:1 etc the term "earth'' is used in a figurative sense referring to mankind, human society. The context at 2 Peter 3:5,6 is discussing the Flood in which wicked human society was destroyed. This coming event is to parallel that.
This fits with other promises found in God's Word. Psalm 37:29; Matt 5:5; Proverbs 2:21,22; Psalm 104:5. These assure us that God has not forgotten, and can never fail in his original purpose for the earth. Genesis 1:28, 2:15; Rev 21:1; Isaiah 55:11.
