The Bible Says
2 Peter 3:5-7 Meaning

In 2 Peter 3:5-7, Peter refutes the idea that all things are as they have been and always will be, noting that the world has already been destroyed once by water and will be again by fire. To overturn the mockers and their belief that everything has remained unchanged since the beginning of creation, Peter asserts, For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water (v. 5).

This infers that the mockers deny God as the Creator. They fail to recognize that by the Word of God the heavens existed long ago. The Bible tells us God spoke the universe into existence (Genesis 1:1, 3, 6, 9, Hebrews 11:3). Not only did the Word of God create the universe, but it also created the earth, and the earth was formed out of water.

That the earth was formed out of water is a reference to Genesis 1:6, which says, “Then God said, ‘Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.’” An expanse refers to an extended solid surface.

Not only was the earth formed out of the midst of water, it was also formed by water. This is a reference to Genesis 1:7 which says, “God made the expanse, and separated the waters which were below the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so.”

Although God used water in the creation of earth, it was also water through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water (v. 6). This refers to God’s judgement upon ungodly humanity by a global flood in Noah’s day (Genesis 6:11-13, 7:18-22). That the world prior to the flood was destroyed tells us that the world upon which we now live sits atop a prior world. Therefore, we should not be surprised that there are things we cannot explain based on current processes. The current earth is like a modern city built on the ruins of an ancient one.

Just as God’s Word was powerful in creating the universe, God’s Word is powerful in sustaining the world for its final destiny. But, (v. 7) introducing a contrast, by His Word the present heavens and earth are being reserved, meaning they are stored up for something later described as, for fire (2 Peter 3:10).

Not only are the heavens and earth reserved for fire, they are also kept. Kept translates a Greek word different than reserved, although the word translated kept is translated reserved in 2 Peter 2:4, 17. The word translated reserved in verse 7 carries the idea of being stored up or saved. The word translated kept means to keep in custody. This use of synonymous terms makes an emphasis that the looming judgment is well-defined and certain.

This judgment fire is kept in a heavenly custody for the day of judgement and the destruction of ungodly men.

The day of judgment when ungodly unbelievers will be destroyed might refer to any or all of a number of events. In Revelation 19:21, the armies of the nations gathered against the Lamb of God are slain when Jesus returns. In Revelation 20:9, fire comes down from heaven and devours those who rebelled against the “camp of the saints” at the end of the thousand-year Messianic reign. In Revelation 20:15, anyone’s name not found in the “book of life” is “thrown into the lake of fire.” Peter will next contrast the certainty of this looming judgment with God’s forbearance, since He desires all to come to repentance.