SCRIPTURE: 2 PETER 3
BIBLE VERSES;
“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:8-9)
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.” (2 {Peter 3:10)
“Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives, as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:11-13)
“So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.” (2 Peter 3:14)
“Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:17-18)
THE DAY OF THE LORD (vs. 1-18)
Peter reminded believers that in the last days, false teachers will start to scoff and ridicule the Word of God. They will say that Jesus will never come back. They forget that the Word is in control of God’s universe. Everything is created by His Word and His Word holds it together. His Word brought the flood in Noah’s time and His word will one day bring judgment to the ungodly world.
God’s time is peculiar because for the Lord, a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day. He Lord is not slow. He does not want anyone to perish and is giving time for people to come to repentance (vs. 8-9). But the day of the Lord will surely come like a thief. The elements will be destroyed by fire and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. (vs. 10).
THOUGHTS:
Peter used “Dear Friends” 4 times and “Dear Brothers” once in his admonition:
- Dear Friends (vs. 1-7) – remember the words spoke by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your spotless. Remember that heavens and earth existed by God’s Word. And the earth was destroyed by flood through God’s Word. In the future, the Word will bring judgment and destruction by fire to the earth.
- Dear Friends (vs. 8-11) – Do not forget that with the Lord, a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day. He will keep his promise to come but he is still giving opportunity for people to come to repentance. That is why it has been delayed.
- Dear Friends (v. 14) – Make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him.
- Dear Brothers (v. 15) – Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation.
- Dear Friends (v. 17) – Be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior and draw close to Him.
To some believers, the purpose of God’s postponing his return is for more sinners to repent and to turn to him. That is why we have important work to do now, that is to share the gospel to the lost.