Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Peter 3:13

13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise , look for new heavens, and a new earth , wherein dwelleth righteousness .

The places cited in the Margin, to which this Text seems to refer, speak of a new state of the Church here in the World, yet by way of Allusion to the Renovation of the World, which is ultimately there promised, and the Perpetuity of the Gospel-Church till then is thereby assured.

I. e. Perpetually abideth, and not only for a time, Rom. 8.11. and 2 Cor. 6.16. and 2 Tim. 1.14.

Instead of the present World which is to be consumed by Fire, v. 10, 12. or the first Heaven and Earth which pass away, Rev. 21.1. These will be new Heavens, and a new Earth, either as to their Substance, or as to their Qualities refined and purified from all Defilement, and free from all that Vanity to which the Creature was made subject by the Sin of Man, Rom. 8.20, 21.

Either this may be understood of Righteousness in the Abstract, that together with the Destruction of the World, the Kingdom of Sin shall be destroyed, and God's Elect, the Inhabitants of the new World, shall be filled with Righteousness, whereas before Sin had dwelt in them: Or else the Abstract may be put for the Concrete, and by Righteouness may be meant righteous Persons, who only shall be the Inhabitants of the new World, the Wicked being turned into Hell, Rev. 21.27. And by this way of expressing it, may be implied the Perfection of the Righteousness of such. Not only the new Heaven is mentioned, but the new Earth, because the whole World will then be the Possession, and Kingdom of the Saints, who follow Christ wherever he goes.

Marginal references: Isa. 65.17. & 66.22.