This, then, is what the apostle Peter was talking about when he recounts that there was “an earth standing compactly out of water and in the midst of water,” and that “by those means the world of that time suffered destruction when it was deluged with water.” (2 Pet. 3:5, 6)

The apostle Peter therefore describes the situation as “an earth standing compactly out of water and in the midst of water.” (2 Pet. 3:5)

Peter says that it was by “those means” (the arrangement of the waters above described) that the world of that time, the people, suffered destruction when the earth was deluged with water.—2 Pet. 3:6.

As the flood of Noah’s day did not destroy the literal heavens and earth, but only the ungodly persons, so also the revelation of Jesus Christ with his powerful angels in a flaming fire will result in permanent destruction only for the wicked.—2 Pet. 3:5-7, 10-13; 2 Thess. 1:6-10; compare Isaiah 66:15, 16, 22, 24.

On the other hand, scoffers are warned by the Bible that there will yet be stupendous acts of God performed in the destruction of the present system of things.—2 Pet. 3:1-10; Rev. chaps. 18, 19.

Jehovah, in sparing Noah and his family when he destroyed that wicked world, was “setting a pattern for ungodly persons of things to come.”—2 Pet. 3:5-7; 2:5, 6; Isa. 54:9; Ezek. 14:14, 20; Matt. 24:37-39; Heb. 11:7; 1 Pet. 3:20, 21.

Also, God’s promise of new heavens and a new earth is sure and should inspire diligent efforts to be found unblemished from God’s standpoint.—2 Pet. 3:1-18.

Again the attitude of the people prior to the Deluge is used as a corresponding example.—2 Pet. 3:5-7; compare Matthew 24:37-39.

Peter writes that God brought the deluge “upon a world of ungodly people,” while preserving Noah and his family; in this way “the world of that time suffered destruction when it was deluged with water.” (2 Pet. 2:5; 3:6)

That unrighteous human society is due to pass away by divine destruction (1 John 2:17), even as the ungodly pre-Flood world perished.—2 Pet. 3:6.

Mentioning another executional judgment, Peter drew upon what occurred in Noah’s day and foretold a “day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men.” (2 Pet. 3:7)

In John 5:24, 29 “judgment” is set in contrast with “life” and “everlasting life,” plainly implying a condemnatory judgment that means utter loss of life—death. (2 Pet. 2:9; 3:7; John 3:18, 19)