Wait For It…

2 Peter 3:1 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;

If you KNEW Jesus Christ would come for His church at any moment, how would it affect your life?

This is the perspective with which Peter writes, even exhorting us. Obviously, there is a dramatic affect when we are at work and we know the boss might appear. We tend to work harder in those moments, and we certainly would not be deliberately slacking, or paying attention to something that had nothing to do with work.

Peter joins a chorus of New Testament authors advocating a position of “actively waiting” for the return of Jesus Christ. (Remember, Peter was one of those who literally heard Jesus say He would return, and then he also heard the angels declare Jesus would return, “in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11.)

This is not fanciful, wishful thinking for Peter. This is Peter declaring with certainty what is certain. There is no doubt whatsoever in Peter’s mind and heart that Jesus is coming just as He said He would. The only question is when?

As Peter declares it, though no one knows the day or the hour, we will know the time is near when scoffers arise. Though we pray the return of Jesus would be soon, we also rejoice together in His longsuffering patience which allowed us to be saved prior to His return. When the last person who will be saved is saved Jesus will come for His church.

-Pastor Bill