meit with fervent heat ; the earth [social organization] also, and the works that are therein [pride, rank, aristocracy, royalty], shall be burned up. The heavens being on fire shall be dissolved and the elements shall melt with fervent heat. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens [the new spiritual power Christ's kingdom] and a new earth" [earthly society organized on a new basis on the basis of love and justice, rather than of might and oppression]. 2 Peter 3 : 6, 7, 10-13.
It should be remembered that some of the apostles were prophets as well- notably Peter, John and Paul. And while as apostles they were God's mouthpieces to expound the utterances of preceding prophets for the benefit of the Church, they were also used of God as prophets to predict things to come, which, as they become due to be fulfilled, become meat in due season for the household of faith, to dispense which, God in his own time raises up suitable ser- vants or expounders, (See our Lord's statement of this fa<a Matt. 24:45,46). The apostles as prophets were moved upon to write things which, not being due in their day, they could but imperfectly appreciate, even as it was with the Old Testament prophets (i Pet. 1:12, 13), though, like them, their words were specially guided and directed so that they have a depth of meaning of which they were not aware when using them. Thus emphatically the Church is erer guided and fed by God himself, whoever may be his mouthpieces or channels of communication. A realization of this must lead to greater confidence and trust in God's Word, notwithstanding the imperfedlions of some of his mouthpieces.
The Prophet MalacM (4: i) tells of this Day of the L0rd tiader the sanae symbol* He says : " The day conaeth that shaft burn as an oven ; and aH the freud, yea, and all i hat do wickedly, sha& be stubfrle ,; and the day that Cometh
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