If Peter's words are to be taken literally and the planet Earthis to be consumed by real fire, then the literal heavens-the starsand the other heavenly bodies-are also to be destroyed by fire.This view, however, conflicts with the assurance found at suchscriptures as Matthew 6:10: "Let your will take place, as inheaven, also upon earth," and Psalm 37:29: "The righteousthemselves will possess the earth, and they will reside foreverupon it."