The 'heavens and the earth' are frequently given a figurative use. God, through His prophets sometimes speaks to the 'heavens and the earth'. This cannot be the literal land, sea and air, so we conclude that God is speaking to those who occupy His earth. For example, Moses, speaks to Israel: "Listen, O heavens, and I will speak; hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. Let My teaching fall like rain and My words descend like the dew…. Is this the way you repay the Lord, O foolish and unwise people? Is He not Your Father, Your Creator, who made you and formed you?" (Deuteronomy 32:1,6).

"Hear, O heavens! Listen, O earth! For the Lord has spoken: '…the ox knows his master, the donkey his owner's manger, but Israel does not know, My people do not understand.' Ah, sinful nation… Why do you persist in rebellion?" (Isaiah 1:2-5).

In these and other verses, God is addressing the rulers and people of Israel. The imagery is continued in the New Testament. Jesus refers to the governments of the world: "the powers of heaven shall be shaken." (Luke 21:26, KJV; NIV: "heavenly bodies").

And Peter writes: "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare…. But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness." (2 Peter 3:10,13).

It is the corrupt establishment of government and peoples on the earth, not the earth itself that will be destroyed.

(See also WORLD).

Hades
Hallelujah
Heart
Heathen
Heaven
  1. the Sky
  2. God's Home
  Heavens and Earth
  The "third heaven"
Hebrews
  1. The People
  2. The Language
  3. The Letter
Hell
Heresy, Heretic
Holy
Holy Land
Holy Spirit
  1. Holy Spirit in creation
  2. Holy Spirit inspires God's word
  3. Jesus was born by the power of the Holy Spirit
  4. Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit
  5. The Holy Spirit given to the apostles
  6. The Holy Spirit with the church
Hope
House
  1. A building in which people live
  2. A 'household' or family living together
  3. The dwelling of the believer