The"American Wisdom Series"
    presents
Pamphlet #7016

Former not First

Revelation 21:1 translation from Greek pro'-tos to English should be FORMER earth age not FIRST earth age because it refers to the SECOND earth age.

Rev 21:1  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first(Strong's Concordance #Greek4413) heaven and the first (Strong's Concordance #Greek4413) earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

The folks who translated the King James Version of the Bible allowed their pre-conceived ideas of the history of the earth get in the way of a accurate translation of the Greek word pro'-tos when they translated it first in Revelation 21:1.  Just 3 verses later they got it right in Revelation 21:4 when they translated it former.  

Revelation 21:4  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be, any more pain: for the former (Strong's Concordance #Greek4413) things are passed away. 

The same Greek word (pro'-tos) in both verses, yet translated first in verse one and former in verse four!

The folks who paraphrased the Living Bible at least said present earth instead of first earth. Also, The Companion Bible (King James Version), makes note concerning Revelation 21:1; first, or former, as in verse 4.

(Strong's Concordance) G4413 ??????? pro?tos pro'-tos Contracted superlative of G4253; foremost (in time, place, order or importance): - before, beginning, best, chief (-est), first (of all), former.

Of course the New International Version and the New Standard Version got it wrong also, but that's understandable, they get most everything wrong.

First heaven and earth - 2Peter 3:5  For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old,and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 2Peter 3:6  Whereby,  the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished.

Second heaven and earth - 2Peter 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 2Peter 3:8  But, beloved, be not ignorant, of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 2Peter 3:9  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. 2Peter 3:10  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. 2Peter 3:11  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 2Peter 3:12  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?

Third heaven and earth -  2Peter 3:13  Nevertheless we, according to his promise ,look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein, dwelleth righteousness.

2Corinthians 12:2  I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell;, or whether out of the body, I cannot tell:, God knoweth;) such a one caught up to the third heaven.

G4413
pro?tos
pro'-tos
Contracted superlative of G4253; foremost (in time, place, order or importance): - before, beginning, best, chief (-est), first (of all), former.

Please read "Is There a Conflict Between Science and the Bible" Pamphlet Live Link to->> #1003 It will help you to understand.

Also read Live Link to->> The Pre-Adamic World

Once you understand what happened in "the world that then was" there are a multitude of verses that are easily understood and questions that are simply answered. Consider for example the following verse concerning Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 1:5
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Now you know why God told flesh man, male and female, to go "replenish" the earth. Genesis 1:28  And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish(Strong's Concordance 4390 see below)  the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
(Strong's Concordance) Hebrew 4390 îìà    îìà ma?le?'  ma?la?' maw-lay', maw-law' A primitive root, to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively): - accomplish, confirm, + consecrate, be at an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, X draw, give in, go) fully (-ly, -ly set, tale), [over-] flow, fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume, replenish, satisfy, set, space, take a [hand-] full, + have wholly.
It had been populated [plenished] before, though man (you and I) was not during that earth age.

Now you know why God is able to say in Romans 9:13, "As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated", even before they were born! Esau was obviously disrespectful in the first earth age.

The Bible declares that there are 3 World Ages. One has already passed away, one is present now, and one is yet to come. The understanding of these 3 World Ages is essential to a having basic understanding of the overall plan of salvation.

There is a new heaven and a new earth coming, the 3rd Heaven and Earth Age. The Word of God declares it. He has promised it and He will keep that promise! And only "righteousness" will dwell there for the evil "rudiments" shall all be burned with fire and consumed away!

See Pamphlet  #5119 & #5120  also #7015