The heavens and the earth, which now exist, are kept in store by the same word, reserved for fire until the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. This unquenchable fire will cause the heavens to pass away with a great noise, and the elements to melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. An unquenchable fire burns until it has consumed all combustible material, then dies out for lack of anything else to consume. Just as the earth continued to exist after Noah's Flood, so it will continue to exist after the coming worldwide fire. Nevertheless, according to His promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. The simple explanation is that the surface of the earth and everything physical on it will be destroyed by an all-consuming fire, after which God will renew the earth's surface and make it a pure, glorious habitation for Himself and the rest of the God Kingdom.