By Joy Le Page Smith, MA

Have you ever wondered about the passages in the 2 Peter 3:11-12, that bespeaks of a great fire to take place before “that day” when a new heaven and earth comes to be?  Sometimes I find the courage to ask God a question, then I wait for an answer. Last week I asked, “What will happen when everything we know here changes dramatically as Scripture indicates. What will we experience if the earth, as we know it, passes through fire and is suddenly made new? How will it happen?”

Here is the answer I heard, one I wrote as quickly as the words were coming to me: “My daughter, what I can tell you is that you will feel nothing at that great change. It happens in the twinkling of an eye. One moment you are in the old and the next moment you are in the new heavens, the new earth; that is if you are still here when this happens. Meanwhile, if you die before that great change, please know that you’re passing from this earth experience into MY presence will also take place in the twinkling of an eye. As your last breath goes out you will be with me. We will have a magnificent celebration as our union will be complete. Until then, I want you to enjoy the level of union we currently have, letting it unfold slowly as the opening of a rose. Your worries about mistakes and failures of the past are not what I see.”

As I close my journal, I think, “Awesome! Among everything, Christ will be immediately and fully present, serving like a door hinge through which He is the “pin” in the middle. Envision the ease of instantly passing through as He opens to us—Voile! A new heaven and a new earth await through the safe keeping of Jesus!

I love this message from the mouth of the prophet Isaiah, “Come now, let us reason together . . . though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool,” (Isaiah 1:18).

The transition from the “old to the new” happens quickly when God forgives our sins once we ask to be cleansed. Doubtful ponderings are needless—and so is fear. God is fully able to bring all things to a good end in every circumstance when we put our trust in Him. All in life is about learning. Coming to believe in God and placing our trust in the promises of the Holy Bible is the greatest.

It is up to us to be ready at all times to instantly be with the Lord when called. It is impossible to know the “when” or the circumstance that will surround a “fiery change out” for our earth. But there is not a single thing said in Scripture that will fail to come true.

Understanding Scripture comes most quickly as we ponder “in His presence” so to speak—meaning, we ask questions and expect Him to help us “see.”

For instance, when I ask God to “say more,” I hear, “Trust me.” Clearly, the truth here is that our not having all the answers creates growth in relying on God. Yet as His “little kids,” we want more answers than we need. What’s up ahead is all in His hands.

Author info. Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith is a Board certified clinical chaplain. She is reaching readers with her books and websites in up to 32 countries. Visit her websites at Healingwithjoy.blogspot.com and Healing-with-Joy.com