Could the Bible prophecy about the earth being burned up happen when our sun explodes and dies, as it must do?

Question

I just saw a BBC 4 prog on the sun. Eventually our nearest star, the sun, will die in such a catastrophic way its heat will explode outwards and evaporate all the planets within a xxxmillion (or should that be billion?) mile radius - whatever - we will be among the first to turn to toast. Then the dying sun will implode on itself and no longer exist. There will be just darkness in our part of the Milky Way.

That made me think of the prophecy in 2 Peter 3:10-12: "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up... the day of God, in which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat."

Being of a cheerful disposition (honestly!) I would add that scientists say this will be millions of years in the future. Yet if God decides it will be sooner - much sooner...?

Answer 1

Mere mortals such as you and I are incapable of grasping the enormity of this prophecy. Our puny minds simply cannot come to grips with the awesome (and destructive) nature of the universe. Whilst it is true that at some far, distant point in time our sun, this earth and all within our solar system will cease to exist, it is also important to realise that God may choose to intervene in the afairs of humanity long before the sun runs out of energy.

Regardless of how God will fulfill this prophesy, I draw comfort from what the Psalmist said in Psalm 102:25-28: 'In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end. The children of your servants will live in your presence...'

God is more enduring than what he has made. The first creation will give way to a new creation - 'Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind (Isaiah 65:17)'. God the Creator, will never change and our security lies in him, whatever happens to this planet.

We do not understand time as the Creator understands time. However, we do know that the day of the Lord will be unexpected (as quoted by you in 2 Peter 3:10-12), so we should live each day as if it might be our last, so that we will not be found wanting and cast aside.

Although I earnestly pray for God's kingdom to come and for God's will to be done on earth, as it is done in heaven, I hope it will be a wee while longer yet because there's an awful lot of refining that still needs to take place in my life!

Answer 2

This is an interesting list and I would agree that these prophecies have been or are in the process of fulfillement. However, I must point out that some of the scriptures quoted are incorrect. I have not read them all so there may be more. In number 2 you have referenced 1 John 3:18, this should be 1 John 3:8. Wow, stop right there. I was about to say that you had used the same scripture for several prophecies and they did not make sense but then I have just read them again and I can see it! NUmbers 321,322 and 323 are now really clear to me, as are 324, 326 and 327. I'm gonna have to go away and read ALL of them now. Thank you. Lord, bring on the last prophecy!!!

Answer 3

Some versions of the bible convey other meanings to the words "burned up" at 2 Peter 3:10. One version uses the words "laid bare" and another version uses the term "discovered". In light of these differences and the scripture that states that the Earth Will abide forever, there is a strong possibility that something else is meant in this scripture. The word "heavens" is sometimes used symbolically in the bible as meaning governments. The "Earth", symbolically can mean the dwelling place of man and what it encompasses. The word "fire" can symbolize destroyed forever. So Peter is saying that the Earth as it is and its governments will be put out of existence and replaced with a new earth and government, God's Kingdom under Jesus Christ.

Answer 4

I read an article (scientific) and it said the earth will burn up in 5 billion years. I do not believe in a creator God so I do not worry about what God decides. I believe if the earth is destroyed by anything other than natural causes it will be because of the stupid decisions made by humans.

Answer 5

Well, it's more of a "Rapid Expansion" than an explosion. The difference is an explosion would disperse the energy in an outward fashion, in this case it (the sun) will grow to enormous size, and then recede to a much smaller (than it is now) state. More inflation (though not entirely, as that evokes an idea of using air) and deflation than an explosion.

But you are correct, it will completely destroy the Earth in a storm of fire and doomy-ness.

Answer 6

Hebrews.12:29 For * our God is a consuming fire.
Learn to rightly divde Gods word.

Answer 7

Could be. How about nuclear holocaust, world wide volcanic holocaust. God will provide the way.

Answer 8

Will humans be here after 4 billion years?

I hope not.

Answer 9

If the bible says that our sun will eventually destroy the earth, then yes...it's spot on.

Answer 10

Of course!
Allow me to comment on the importance of caring for and nuturing your faith. Your today is far more important to your faith than your tomorrow. look after the things of today and tomorrow will look after itself.
may the Lord be with you.