PMW 2025-014 by Geerhardus Vos

Gentry note: This material is take from Geerhardus Vos, Reformed Dogmatics. It has been re-published in Reformed Eschatology in the Writings of Geerhardus Vos (2024).

35. What will precede the consummate salvation of the children of God?

The appearance of a new world. Scripture speaks of that very clearly. In Acts 3:21 Peter speaks of an apokatastasis, a ‘restoration of all things.” And in Revelation 21:5 He who sits on the throne says: “Behold, I make all things new.” As a matter of fact, all this is inherent in the relationship to the rest of creation in which man stands. It is given to him so that he would rule over it. It has been carried along with him in his fall. It has been subjected to the groaning of futility. It is in travail, since with the dawning of the glory of the children of God it also awaits its liberation (Rom. 8:19–22). It is not solely about atonement for sin but about the removal of the results of sin. And when the devil, the demons, the lost, will be thrown ‘outside,’ then the last vestige of sin, to the extent it is “inside,” will also need to disappear from the creation of God. The Old Testament in fact already speaks of this (Psa. 102:26–28; Isa. 34:4; 65:17; 66:22; 51:6, 16; 11:6–9). In the New Testament, one may also compare 2 Peter 3:7–13; Revelation 20:11; 21:1.

Reformed Eschatology in the Writings of Geerhardus Vos
Ed. by Ken Gentry and Bill Boney
This is a collection of several key eschatological studies by the renowned Reformed theologian Geehardus Vos. We have modernized Vos’ grammar and syntax and updated his layout style according to modern publishing conventions (shorter sentences and paragraphs). We did this without changing any of Vos’ arguments.

For more information on this new Vos work or to order it, see: Reformed Eschatology

Scripture teaches further that this new world will follow the glorification of the children of God, that is, the glorious resurrection and the last judgment.

36. How are we to think of this bringing into being of the new world?

Thinking on this question differs greatly. Some propose an absolutely new world, so that in substance the old does not recur in the new and a new world comes in its place. The Lutheran dogmaticians until Gerhard were devoted to this view. But in general whenever they mention the new earth as a matter of form, they do not say much about it. The Reformed, for the most part, expressed support for the opposite view, namely that the substance of the presently existing world will be preserved but will be restored, purified in glory. Also a host of recent theologians align themselves with the Reformed here. The grounds are:

The Truth about Postmillennialism
By Ken Gentry

A group Bible study guide for explaining the optimistic prophetic hope for this world to be accomplished before Christ’s Second Coming. Establishes the postmillennial system in both the Old and New Testaments. Touches on key eschatological issues, such as creation, covenant, interpretive methodolgy, the great tribulation, the Book of Revelation, the Jewish Temple, and more. It presents and answers the leading objections to postmillennialism.Twelve chapters are ideal for one quarter of Sunday School.

See more study materials at: www.KennethGentry.com

a) Even the passages that seem to speak emphatically for the destruction of the old world are nevertheless not decisive. They are 2 Peter 3:7–13 and Revelation 20:11 and 21:1. The first passage speaks only of “passing away,” “being melted,” without it exactly becoming extinct. Indeed, in our experience burning is never total annihilation. Revelation speaks of a “fleeing away,” a “passing away,” a “being no more.”

b) The Old Testament passages all speak clearly of “change,” not of “annihilation” (e.g., Psa. 103:26–27; cp. Heb. 1:10–13). And accordingly, Hebrew 12:26–28 should also be so interpreted that at the shaking of the cosmos something remained that is immovable. This immovable something could be found in the heaven of God’s glory, but still probably also meant is that something of what is changeable will remain in order to be made unchangeable.

c) If annihilation is assumed, then texts that speak of change are absolutely impossible to explain. If change is assumed, the texts that seem to speak of annihilation can still be explained in a very sound sense.

d) Analogy speaks for change. The body of man, too, is not annihilated and a new body created in its place. The old is changed or glorified. One should assume that this will also take place in the wider sphere with the entire groaning creation.

The Truth about Salvation By Ken Gentry

A study guide for personal or small group Bible study. Deals with the Christian doctrine of salvation from a Reformed theological perspective. It opens with a study of God as loving Creator, the shows how the first man fell into sin. Shows God’s righteousness requires that sin be dealt with. Presents Jesus as both God and man so that he can be man’s Savior. Includes review questions and questions for further study.Twelve chapters are ideal for one quarter of Sunday School.

See more study materials at: www.KennethGentry.com

37. How will that change occur?

Second Peter 3:7–12 says that it will occur “by fire.” This cannot be meant figuratively. It is contrasted with the destruction that once came upon the earth by water, the water of the flood. So is must be just as real.

Hebrews 12:26–28 speaks, as we saw, of a “shaking” and “moving.” But this and what Peter says do not exclude each other. A conflagration of the world with tremors and earthquakes would fulfill both prophecies.

The renewal of the earth does not affect heaven as God’s dwelling place but heaven in the celestial sense.

Click on the following images for more information on these studies: