The Times and The Seasons

Davy · Mar 22, 2018

I was talking to a friend of mine I went to school with back in the day; he went to the same Protestant Church I was raised in, and I remarked how our Church didn't cover much endtime Bible prophecy, that they were pretty much on a Preterist type teaching (i.e., preter, what is past; majority of Preterists believe Revelation is mostly history). He kind of agreed and I then asked him about the 'times and the seasons' that Apostle Paul mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 5. He didn't know about it.

1 Thess 5:1-2
5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
KJV

Because Paul linked with that "times and the seasons" the events of "the day of the Lord", that put a lot... of prophecy from the Old Testament prophets into his message. The "times and the seasons" are about endtime events as signs leading up to that "day of the Lord".

What about that "thief in the night" idea? Where did Paul get that from? He got it from our Lord Jesus Who taught us about the goodman of the house knowing in what watch the thief would come, and thus prevent his house from being broken into (end of Matthew 24). On the 6th vial, our Lord Jesus also told His Church that He comes "as a thief", and the next 7th vial begins the battle of Armageddon, the final battle of this world (Rev.16).

Then that thief timing idea goes back to what our Lord taught through His OT prophets about the "day of the Lord" events, with the end of this present world time happening at an instant, suddenly (Isaiah 29-30). This is why Apostle Paul said this next about a "sudden destruction" that is to come upon the wicked on earth on that day:

1 Thess 5:3
3 For when they shall say, "Peace and safety"; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
KJV

By "they" Paul means the wicked and the deceived on the final day of this present world. In Matthew 24, our Lord mentioned about wars and rumors of wars, that those things must be so don't be alarmed, but the end is not yet. The opposite of a time of war is a time of peace, and that is the kind of time the very end of this world will be that He was pointing to. Paul here is pointing to that same idea of world peace for the end, with those who will be saying, "Peace and safety". In Isaiah, God gives analogies to the sudden destruction coming upon them like suddenly waking up from a dream. Ever daydream and suddenly wake and have to immediately check your surroundings?

To know just what kind of sudden destruction the day of the Lord that Paul was pointing to, Apostle Peter gave the latest explanation of it in the New Testament:

2 Peter 3:10-13
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.

11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
KJV

Peter says the heavens will pass away with a great noise on that day. And the works of man of this present world will melt (see end of Hebrews 12 also). This is the day Jesus returns "as a thief" like He said. God's consuming fire will burn the works of man off the surface of this earth and the things of this world will be no more. When this event happens to end this present world with Jesus' return, it will begin the road to the future new heavens and a new earth. Major earth changes will begin when Jesus returns (see Ezekiel 47).

That is the "sudden destruction" Paul was talking about in 1 Thess.5. By his covering about the deceived saying, "Peace and safety" and that "sudden destruction" coming upon them, he was giving us a sign leading up to our Lord Jesus' return to gather His Church. Thus the meaning of "the times and the seasons". Paul said the Church at Thessalonica already knew those times and seasons, meaning they were familiar with those things in the OT prophets about the end of this world.

So brethren, what have you maybe missed from the Old Testament prophets that your Church has not preached about because of what their seminary system may tell them to preach? Understanding where Apostle Paul was pulling from in the OT prophets about "the times and the seasons" is a major help in understanding our Lord's Revelation about the events leading up to our Lord Jesus' return.

bbyrd009 · Mar 22, 2018

so, eschatology stuff here, yes

VictoryinJesus · Mar 23, 2018

Davy said:
I was talking to a friend of mine I went to school with back in the day; he went to the same Protestant Church I was raised in, and I remarked how our Church didn't cover much endtime Bible prophecy, that they were pretty much on a Preterist type teaching (i.e., preter, what is past; majority of Preterists believe Revelation is mostly history). He kind of agreed and I then asked him about the 'times and the seasons' that Apostle Paul mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 5. He didn't know about it.

1 Thess 5:1-2
5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
KJV

Because Paul linked with that "times and the seasons" the events of "the day of the Lord", that put a lot... of prophecy from the Old Testament prophets into his message. The "times and the seasons" are about endtime events as signs leading up to that "day of the Lord".

What about that "thief in the night" idea? Where did Paul get that from? He got it from our Lord Jesus Who taught us about the goodman of the house knowing in what watch the thief would come, and thus prevent his house from being broken into (end of Matthew 24). On the 6th vial, our Lord Jesus also told His Church that He comes "as a thief", and the next 7th vial begins the battle of Armageddon, the final battle of this world (Rev.16).

Then that thief timing idea goes back to what our Lord taught through His OT prophets about the "day of the Lord" events, with the end of this present world time happening at an instant, suddenly (Isaiah 29-30). This is why Apostle Paul said this next about a "sudden destruction" that is to come upon the wicked on earth on that day:

1 Thess 5:3
3 For when they shall say, "Peace and safety"; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
KJV

By "they" Paul means the wicked and the deceived on the final day of this present world. In Matthew 24, our Lord mentioned about wars and rumors of wars, that those things must be so don't be alarmed, but the end is not yet. The opposite of a time of war is a time of peace, and that is the kind of time the very end of this world will be that He was pointing to. Paul here is pointing to that same idea of world peace for the end, with those who will be saying, "Peace and safety". In Isaiah, God gives analogies to the sudden destruction coming upon them like suddenly waking up from a dream. Ever daydream and suddenly wake and have to immediately check your surroundings?

To know just what kind of sudden destruction the day of the Lord that Paul was pointing to, Apostle Peter gave the latest explanation of it in the New Testament:

2 Peter 3:10-13
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.

11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
KJV

Peter says the heavens will pass away with a great noise on that day. And the works of man of this present world will melt (see end of Hebrews 12 also). This is the day Jesus returns "as a thief" like He said. God's consuming fire will burn the works of man off the surface of this earth and the things of this world will be no more. When this event happens to end this present world with Jesus' return, it will begin the road to the future new heavens and a new earth. Major earth changes will begin when Jesus returns (see Ezekiel 47).

That is the "sudden destruction" Paul was talking about in 1 Thess.5. By his covering about the deceived saying, "Peace and safety" and that "sudden destruction" coming upon them, he was giving us a sign leading up to our Lord Jesus' return to gather His Church. Thus the meaning of "the times and the seasons". Paul said the Church at Thessalonica already knew those times and seasons, meaning they were familiar with those things in the OT prophets about the end of this world.

So brethren, what have you maybe missed from the Old Testament prophets that your Church has not preached about because of what their seminary system may tell them to preach? Understanding where Apostle Paul was pulling from in the OT prophets about "the times and the seasons" is a major help in understanding our Lord's Revelation about the events leading up to our Lord Jesus' return.

What are the elements? It is important.

Galatians 4:3-6
[3] Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: [4] But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, [5] To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. [6] And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Galatians 4:7-11
[7] Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. [8] Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. [9] But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? [10] Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. [11] I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

Daniel 2:18-22
[18] That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. [19] Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. [20] Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: [21] And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: [22] He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.

What does the scripture say?

Willie T · Mar 23, 2018

VictoryinJesus said:
What are the elements? It is important.

Galatians 4:3-6
[3] Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: [4] But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, [5] To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. [6] And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Galatians 4:7-11
[7] Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. [8] Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. [9] But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? [10] Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. [11] I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

Daniel 2:18-22
[18] That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. [19] Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. [20] Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: [21] And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: [22] He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.

What does the scripture say?

You are onto something important. "The elements" certainly do not mean rocks, air, dirt, and trees.

bbyrd009 · Mar 23, 2018

VictoryinJesus said:
he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding

ha quite a contrast to some other Scripture huh

APAK · Mar 23, 2018

Willie T said:
You are onto something important. "The elements" certainly do not mean rocks, air, dirt, and trees.

Willie T:

(Gal 4:9) But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? (ESV)

Galatians 4:9 means you are now beginning to understand who God is where he has taken notice of you. How can you turn back to your old ways again, to be enslaved again to the child, carnal man state of worshipping the sun, moon, times, dates, earth, weather winds etc., that promises no power, no salvation (weak and worthless (beggarly) elementary principles (elements)of the world)

APAK

bbyrd009 · Mar 23, 2018

APAK said:
Willie T:

(Gal 4:9) But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? (ESV)

Galatians 4:9 means you are now beginning to understand who God is where he has taken notice of you. How can you turn back to your old ways again, to be enslaved again to the child, carnal man state of worshipping the sun, moon, times, dates, earth, weather winds etc., that promises no power, no salvation (weak and worthless (beggarly) elementary principles (elements)of the world)

APAK

might be better to reflect from the Lex, no "world" in there, etc

Galatians 4:9 Lexicon: But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?

APAK · Mar 23, 2018

bbyrd009 said:
might be better to reflect from the Lex, no "world" in there, etc

Galatians 4:9 Lexicon: But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?

You really don't mean the Lexicon, right? You must mean the Bible translation version, right? there are many.
Regardless of the version you use, it does not change the meaning of it.

APAK

bbyrd009 · Mar 23, 2018

APAK said:
You really don't mean the Lexicon, right?

no, i really do mean the lexicon, iow ignore the English translation that that v is labelled with too.

APAK said:
Regardless of the version you use, it does not change the meaning of it.

i would say it does, i can read Easter but Lex Passover, etc. There is no "world" in that v, not even implied
at least imo, maybe i'm wrong there dunno

VictoryinJesus · Mar 23, 2018

Elements: "basic principles" in original text.

Colossians 2:8-11
[8] Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. [9] For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. [10] And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: [11] In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

Hebrews 5:12-14
[12] For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. [13] For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
[14] But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Hebrews 6:1-5
[1] Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, [2] Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. [3] And this will we do, if God permit. [4] For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, [5] And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

of the world to come...
Why would you turn back to bondage?

VictoryinJesus · Mar 23, 2018

bbyrd009 said:
ha quite a contrast to some other Scripture huh

Exactly. why? I am asking because I don't know?

APAK · Mar 23, 2018

Are you kidding me, right?....so you cannot figure out you are embarrassing yourself...I'm not go to entertain you with an answer to this..it should be obvious ... what a ridiculous statement you are making.
Man, you come on sometime quite smart and then lacking any basic understanding..what's with you anyway?

APAK · Mar 23, 2018

Last post was to bbyrd009 not to VIC

VictoryinJesus · Mar 23, 2018

Davy said:
I was talking to a friend of mine I went to school with back in the day; he went to the same Protestant Church I was raised in, and I remarked how our Church didn't cover much endtime Bible prophecy, that they were pretty much on a Preterist type teaching (i.e., preter, what is past; majority of Preterists believe Revelation is mostly history). He kind of agreed and I then asked him about the 'times and the seasons' that Apostle Paul mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 5. He didn't know about it.

1 Thess 5:1-2
5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
KJV

Because Paul linked with that "times and the seasons" the events of "the day of the Lord", that put a lot... of prophecy from the Old Testament prophets into his message. The "times and the seasons" are about endtime events as signs leading up to that "day of the Lord".

What about that "thief in the night" idea? Where did Paul get that from? He got it from our Lord Jesus Who taught us about the goodman of the house knowing in what watch the thief would come, and thus prevent his house from being broken into (end of Matthew 24). On the 6th vial, our Lord Jesus also told His Church that He comes "as a thief", and the next 7th vial begins the battle of Armageddon, the final battle of this world (Rev.16).

Then that thief timing idea goes back to what our Lord taught through His OT prophets about the "day of the Lord" events, with the end of this present world time happening at an instant, suddenly (Isaiah 29-30). This is why Apostle Paul said this next about a "sudden destruction" that is to come upon the wicked on earth on that day:

1 Thess 5:3
3 For when they shall say, "Peace and safety"; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
KJV

By "they" Paul means the wicked and the deceived on the final day of this present world. In Matthew 24, our Lord mentioned about wars and rumors of wars, that those things must be so don't be alarmed, but the end is not yet. The opposite of a time of war is a time of peace, and that is the kind of time the very end of this world will be that He was pointing to. Paul here is pointing to that same idea of world peace for the end, with those who will be saying, "Peace and safety". In Isaiah, God gives analogies to the sudden destruction coming upon them like suddenly waking up from a dream. Ever daydream and suddenly wake and have to immediately check your surroundings?

To know just what kind of sudden destruction the day of the Lord that Paul was pointing to, Apostle Peter gave the latest explanation of it in the New Testament:

2 Peter 3:10-13
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.

11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
KJV

Peter says the heavens will pass away with a great noise on that day. And the works of man of this present world will melt (see end of Hebrews 12 also). This is the day Jesus returns "as a thief" like He said. God's consuming fire will burn the works of man off the surface of this earth and the things of this world will be no more. When this event happens to end this present world with Jesus' return, it will begin the road to the future new heavens and a new earth. Major earth changes will begin when Jesus returns (see Ezekiel 47).

That is the "sudden destruction" Paul was talking about in 1 Thess.5. By his covering about the deceived saying, "Peace and safety" and that "sudden destruction" coming upon them, he was giving us a sign leading up to our Lord Jesus' return to gather His Church. Thus the meaning of "the times and the seasons". Paul said the Church at Thessalonica already knew those times and seasons, meaning they were familiar with those things in the OT prophets about the end of this world.

So brethren, what have you maybe missed from the Old Testament prophets that your Church has not preached about because of what their seminary system may tell them to preach? Understanding where Apostle Paul was pulling from in the OT prophets about "the times and the seasons" is a major help in understanding our Lord's Revelation about the events leading up to our Lord Jesus' return.

I am sorry, Davy. It may seem your thread has drifted away from your OP. But "elements" seem important in reguard to:

2 Peter 3:9-14
[9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. [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. [11] Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, [12] Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? [13] Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. [14] Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Debated verses.

"found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless." Reads as attainable.

Hebrews 6:1
[1] Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

bbyrd009 · Mar 23, 2018

VictoryinJesus said:
Exactly. why? I am asking because I don't know?

you are asking "why the contrast?"
i would say to illuminate the nature of truth; seemingly deterministic statements are made, and then refuted in other vv with other deterministic statements, while both statements may be seen to be true in their contexts, something like that

bbyrd009 · Mar 23, 2018

APAK said:
Are you kidding me, right?....so you cannot figure out you are embarrassing yourself...I'm not go to entertain you with an answer to this..it should be obvious ... what a ridiculous statement you are making.
Man, you come on sometime quite smart and then lacking any basic understanding..what's with you anyway?

ah well, geniuses are also idiots, right, but it struck me as fairly obvious that if someone is translating "world" when "world" was not invoked in the original, the meaning is likely to change, yes?

An interlinear is even better imo, especially with the net as a one-click goto, but a Lex is a decent primer for that, at least one can ref a certain term in a (corrupted) Strong's or other sources, etc

but apparently i am misunderstanding somewhere, not sure what you refer to in "what a ridiculous statement you are making." which statement?

bbyrd009 · Mar 23, 2018

VictoryinJesus said:
Elements: "basic principles" in original text.

4747 stoixeíon– properly, fundamentals, like with the basic components of a philosophy, structure, etc.; (figuratively) "first principles," like the basic fundamentals of Christianity.

[4747 (stoixeíon) refers to "the rudiments with which mankind . . . were indoctrinated(before the time of Christ), i.e. the elements of religious training or the ceremonial precepts common alike to the worship of Jews and of Gentiles" (J. Thayer).

The RSV however renders stoixeia as "elemental spirits," i.e. spiritual powers or "cosmic spirits" (DNTT, 2, 828). This views 4747 /stoixeíon ("elements") as ancient astral beings associated with the very beginning (make-up) of the earth.]

i haven't spent any time on this, so i don't know, but notice the variance in definitions of what an "elementary principle" is. i have a hard-copy of an uncorrupted Strong's, i'll look for any changes
Strong's Greek: 4747. στοιχεῖον (stoicheion) -- one of a row, hence a letter (of the alphabet), by ext. the elements (of knowledge)
Strong's Greek: 4748. στοιχέω (stoicheó) -- to be in rows, fig. to walk by rule

bbyrd009 · Mar 23, 2018

iow i don't really know/care so much how you define "elementary principles,"
but how are you defining elementary principles?
as the def you choose will def change the meaning here, right.
i would even submit that one v has "world" in it while the other does not for a reason, to get our attn possibly

bbyrd009 · Mar 23, 2018

bbyrd009 said:
you are asking "why the contrast?"
i would say to illuminate the nature of truth; seemingly deterministic statements are made, and then refuted in other vv with other deterministic statements, while both statements may be seen to be true in their contexts, something like that

iow these contrasts are what is meant by "Scripture was written dialectically, but usually read logically, as if deterministic statements were being made."

the same style as Tao iow, only elevated to a point so as to be seen and not seen; Tao resolves the contrast in one story, whereas Scripture "hides" the contrasts so as to allow people to cherry pick and make determinations that they believe will always apply, if that is what they want to do.

Pauline writings elevate this even higher, and Paul can be seen to reveal contrasts in a single passage, that generally are misinterpreted, such that Paul is now usually quoted as saying "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord," for instance, when an unbiased look at the passage reveals otherwise. imo.

Davy · Mar 23, 2018

VictoryinJesus said:
I am sorry, Davy. It may seem your thread has drifted away from your OP. But "elements" seem important in reguard to:

2 Peter 3:9-14
[9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. [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. [11] Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, [12] Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? [13] Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. [14] Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Debated verses.

"found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless." Reads as attainable.

Hebrews 6:1
[1] Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

That is one of the reasons I included a look see pointer to the end of Hebrews 12; it helps define those elements of 2 Pet.3:

Heb 12:25-29
25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
29 For our God is a consuming fire.
KJV

The earth is forever, the Psalmist said. So God is never going to literally destroy this earth, but He will cleanse its surface, just as He has already done in the past using water. But did that previous destruction do away with His creation? No. It did away with man's works off this earth. That is the kind of subject Peter begins in that 2 Peter 3 chapter, i.e., the destructions by water God has done previously upon this earth to get rid of the 'rudiments' of the world and institute a new earth age. Thus Peter is not simply talking about the end of a philosophical age, or simple political movements, nor things in that ballpark, but things of man in a much larger ballpark, like the structures on the earth built by man, actual destructions on the surface of the earth of things that belong to man, but that will not upset God's creation, like Paul showed in Hebrews 12 above. It will not only involve God's consuming fire, which is what Peter was showing us in 2 Peter 3, but also that shaking of the heavens and the earth pointed to there in Hebrews 12, which is why Paul mentioned that "our God is a consuming fire" at the end of it.

Isa 66:15-16
15 For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with His chariots like a whirlwind, to render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire.
16 For by fire and by His sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.
KJV

And God's consuming fire can be very, very accurate...

2 Kings 1:9-10
9 Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake unto him, 'Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down.'
10 And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, 'If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty.' And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.
KJV

But, like Paul also said in that 1 Thess.5 chapter, God's wrath is not appointed to us, His Church. Yet His consuming fire will usher us into Christ's future Millennium reign in the world to come.

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