2 Peter

December 21

2 Peter

Just as Jesus came to bring salvation to the world, He is coming back to bring judgment and restoration. It has been over 2000 years since Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father where He intercedes for us. 2000 years is a long time. Paul’s early writings revealed that he believed Jesus would come back in his lifetime. Throughout the centuries there have been those who tried to predict the day and time Jesus would return, though Jesus said that was not for us to worry about. There have been periods of time that seemed to fulfill all that Jesus said had to take place before He returned. We are still waiting.

 

The people of Peter’s day were growing frustrated. Some people mocked them because they were counting on Jesus’ return. "They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”" (2 Peter 3:4, NIV) We forget that God’s timing is not our timing. God created time. He is not constrained by the boundaries of time as we are bound. He has been since eternity past. He has no beginning, He always has been. Not only is God outside of the constraints of time, He also so loves us that He wants every person possible to come to Him. "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9, NIV)

Jesus will return in God’s perfect timing. He will come and He will welcome those who are living holy and godly lives into His Kingdom as He creates a new heaven and a new earth. Those who have rejected Him, those who have not come to repentance will face judgment and eternal separation from Him. God has called us to live lives of righteousness. We cannot live that way on our own. Our sinful nature is too powerful to overcome, but through our relationship with Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit we are able to live as the people God created us to be. As we live those lives each day on earth, we are preparing for eternity in heaven.