John mentions that this new creation replaces the old heaven and earth, which had been corrupted as a result of sin. That old order had passed away. It had fled from the presence of God in the judgment at the white throne (Rev 20:11). This passing away is described more fully by Peter (2 Pe 3:10–13). He sketches a graphic scene of the destruction of the present order by fire. He depicts the purging heat as so intense that the very elements melt in the heat. It is an open question whether the