It’s been my privilege at different times to visit Kinshasa and Brazzaville. These two cities are the closest capital cities in the world (apart from Rome and Vatican City). At their closest point, they are only one mile apart. No one will be judged to assume that they are twin cities. Except for the river that separates them you could actually call them twin cities. On one of my trips to Kinshasa, I was lodged at Fleuve Congo Hotel. From my room on the eighteenth floor, I gained clear view of Kinshasa with its sprinkling of skyscrapers. Also from this floor you can look at Brazzaville across the river without the aid of a binocular. The buildings which are a testimony to ingenious minds of architects and engineers plus the natural landscape are a beauty to behold.

While we have our abode here, it makes perfect sense to use the treasures that God will trash to work for those things that cannot be trashed.

This rare view suddenly brought the words of our text to focus. This beauty, as well as all the treasures all over the world, will actually go up in flames someday. In other words, the best treasures of this world will be trashed! God is going to do a great work of making a new earth. What we have now will pass away, and a new earth will come in its place. This should leave an unshakeable impression on our minds and help us as we conduct our affairs in this world. While we have our abode here, it makes perfect sense to use the treasures that God will trash to work for those things that cannot be trashed. And again, we should follow the advice of Peter which comes right next after the passage before us: “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness” (2Peter 3:11).