Dwells (2730) (katoikeo from kata which intensifies the meaning of the verb oikeo = dwell, reside in, inhabit as one's abode from oikos = a house) means literally to settle down (be at home, dwell) in a place so to take up permanent abode or residence. Barth writes that katoikeo denotes permanent habitation as opposed to sojourning or an occasional visit. And thus katoikeo means to dwell in a more permanent sense than paroikeo which means to dwell in a temporary sense (synonymous with sojourn = to stay as a temporary resident - used of strangers who have no rights of citizenship and no settled home - e.g., Abraham by faith "lived {paroikeo} as an alien in the land of promise as in a foreign land, dwelling {katoikeo} in tents" see note Hebrews 11:9-note). Katoikeo is also used figuratively in the NT to describe Paul's prayer for God's Spirit to give inner strengthening to believers... so that Christ may dwell (katoikeo) in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love... (see note Ephesians 3:17) Here in 2Peter katoikeo is used in the figurative sense (see more discussion below) of righteousness taking up residence on the new heavens and new earth! In Acts we read that... the Most High does not dwell (katoikeo) in houses made by human hands; as the prophet (see Isa 66:1) says (Acts 7:48) In Colossians Paul emphasizes the unquestioned deity of Christ as the God-Man writing that... it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fulness to dwell (katoikeo - permanent abode) in Him (see note Colossians 1:19) For in Him all the fulness of Deity dwells (katoikeo) in bodily form (see note Colossians 2:9) Katoikeo (Use InstaVerse to study through every verse in context noting that the relatively literal ESV is no charge - see note on bottom of this page) is used 44 times in 40 NT verses (Matt. 2:23; 4:13; 12:45; 23:21; Lk. 11:26; 13:4; Acts 1:19-20; 2:5, 9, 14; 4:16; 7:2, 4 (2x), 7:48; 9:22, 32, 35; 11:29; 13:27; 17:24, 26; 19:10, 17; 22:12; Eph. 3:17; Col. 1:19; 2:9; Heb. 11:9; 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 2:13 (2x); 3:10; 6:10; 8:13; 11:10 (2x); 13:8, 12, 14 (2x); 17:2, 8). There are over 485 uses of katoikeo in the Septuagint (LXX) which will not be listed here to preserve space. It is however interesting to note that the second use in the OT is somewhat similar to the last uses in Revelation (see "earth dwellers" below)... And it came about as they journeyed east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled (Lxx = katoikeo) there. (Genesis 11:2) (Comment: It was here at Babel that men rebelled against God's will, which is the same place they will rebel in the Revelation! Some things really don't change much!) Katoikeo is translated as follows in the NAS: dwell(17), dwelling(1), dwells(3), dwells within(1), live(7), lived(7), living(4),resided(1), residents(1), settled(2). Note that there are 13 uses of katoikeo in Revelation, most describing unbelievers who are "earth dwellers" (this is as good as it will ever get for them!) which are warned in Revelation 8... And I looked, and I heard an eagle flying in midheaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe, to those who dwell (present tense) on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!" (see note Revelation 8:13) John sums up the belief and fate of these earth dwellers writing... The beast that you saw was and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and to go to destruction. And those who dwell (present tense) on the earth will wonder, whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast, that he was and is not and will come. (See note Revelation 17:8) (Comment: Clearly these are those who refuse the Gospel and whose names are not written in the book of life.) Understanding the meaning of katoikeo helps us envision the glorious picture Peter is painting of a righteousness that is no longer a "sojourner, wanderer or guest", but is a "permanent, safe and secure resident" in our new eternal home. In that glorious new day there will no longer be those among us who wantonly violate or rebelliously oppose God's standards of what is right. All entering this "brave new world" (in marked contrast to the counterfeit "Brave New World" of Aldous Huxley) will be in perfect agreement with God's sovereign will and rule. Prophetic revelation assures every believer that God's program for mankind will not only lead to a cataclysmic judgment and radical extirpation of evil but will just as surely culminate in His eternal reign in righteousness. And all God's people cry "Thanks be to God for His glorious redemption!" In the final analysis, Righteousness is a Person, our Lord Jesus Christ (1Co 1:30), Who will take up His rightful position of permanent residence and rule over and among His "special, peculiar people", those redeemed from every lawless deed and every tribe and tongue and people and nation. John elaborates on this promised divine utopia explaining that the tabernacle of God is among men and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them...and He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said "Write, for these words are faithful and true. (see notes Revelation 21:1; 21:2; 21:3;21:4;21:5) Let's summarize the end time sequence of events, recognizing that not everyone will agree because they don't accept a literal interpretation of Scripture as the most normal, natural and accurate and the big point of disagreement is the 1000 year reign which spiritualized or interpreted figuratively by many. So to recap the events: First, the Lord Jesus comes to Rapture His church out, Then comes phase one so to speak of this extended time period called the day of the Lord, which is initiated by the Great Tribulation. In the last three and one-half years of the 7 year period described by Daniel. Then saints come back to earth at the end of the Great Tribulation and reign with Christ for one thousand years in glorified bodies. At the end of that time Satan is unleashed and leads one final rebellion which is in a sense the second phase of the Day of the Lord, separated from the first phase by 1000 years. At this time Satan is defeated and God destroys the universe and usher the redeemed of the Lord into the day of God and the new heavens and earth. That's what we have been redeemed for and that great event is what we should be eagerly anticipating so that we live with expectation. Remember that "the best is yet to come"! Seeing that saints have such a glorious future, is it any wonder Peter exhorts us to expectant living. O, weary pilgrim, have the embers of your first love grown cold? Drink deeply of Peter's exhortations and the Spirit will renew your mind and restore your passion for His kingdom and His glory.