QUESTION: How do you explain; and the earth also shall be burned up. Peter 3‑13?
ANSWER: This is referring to the World Order, and is found also in the Book of Isaiah. The Scripture says this earth shall be the habitation of man forever and forever. And then God declares the earth is His Footstool. Then of the Increase of His Kingdom there shall be no end, and upon the Throne of David to establish and order it. Then there is another place where it refers to the sun, moon, and stars as enduring forever. The Psalmist declares the earth will be the habitation of man forever and forever. So, the fashion of the world passes away.
The Cosmos, earth order changes, but the earth itself never is totally destroyed because it has a Destiny which never ends. It reaches out to the endless tomorrows, the outer earth has been injured dozens of times and yet it is still here. Continents have sunk, mountains arose, plateaus came, and valleys disappeared. Each time this happened the earth has been injured, but as far as this word: What manner of people ought we to be when the earth is dissolved in fervent heat? It is a matter of translation and interpretation for God has declared the earth is to remain forever. There is no way for the earth to be destroyed by fire, it could be molten and still be here, this is not the intent.