2 Peter 3:10-13
“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. 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 3:10-13 NIV
Everyday of our lives must be lived in preparation of the day of the Lord. Peter, in graphic imagery and hopefulness, is making a strong argument that Christ will return and when He does, it will be unexpected with unsurpassing wonders the world has never seen. This is the climax of the Kingdom of God, the time when it comes into its fulfillment and fruition. The earth and all we know and see will be destroyed and re-formed as a new earth and a new life. There will be a judgment from which nothing will be exempt. Because all will be judged and destroyed or renewed, we must make the most of our lives here and now, not wait for a future that may not come, or bask in the past. We must live for Christ with the hope and purpose He gives us with power, passion, and conviction. The promise of His Second Coming is to give us hope and confidence. We live in a sin-infested world now, but the one to come will be perfect, as all in it will be right with God. We look forward to His Second Coming and the fruition of his Kingdom. But, beware of sitting and doing nothing, we will delay His work and impede the preparation of His Kingdom. Our participation helps His coming, as we help build His Kingdom now. Peter makes the point that since everything will be destroyed and judged, we should focus ourselves on Christ. He is our Hope and reason for life and living. He will return. There is no if, only when. It is not theory, but fact, and it points us to a faith that is sensible and useful. Our lives need to be in pursuit of Him and His Truth and principles so we are not spending our energies in sensationalism and endless debates, but rather in knowing Him and making Him known. The ending of the Day of the Lord is not the end of the earth, for God has promised to make a new heaven and a new earth that is not cursed. This fallen world system in which we live was cursed by God when Adam sinned. The Lord's beautiful creation was polluted with evil when man fell. And as a result of man's rebellion, the heaven were tainted, the ground was cursed, and death entered the terrestrial realm. And so God must destroy all that is evil in this world and burn up every wicked work in His purifying flames for God is a consuming fire and He is a purifying fire. His promise to return is the climax of our life and the beginning of life everlasting. It is our hope in the midst of our trials and sufferings as well as in the daily grind of life. He wants us to live in the contentment of His love, not in the circumstances of ours or other's notions or trepidations. The amazing story of man's redemption commenced when Adam sinned, was confirmed at the Cross of Calvary, and will finally be completed at the close of the Day of the Lord. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe in the only begotten Son of God has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God's unique Son. Be ye ready for no man knows the day nor the hour when the "Master" of the house would come. He is coming and it will be without warning. When the Day of the Lord comes, I pray we all be ready!!!
Father thank You for this day and that You planned and purposed to redeem mankind and to restore the earth to its former glory. Lord let the storehouses of your abundant blessings flow over my friend and family today. Lord thank You for telling us the end before the beginning so that we may not fear all that is coming on the earth but understand that You won the victory on the Cross and will finally and fully reclaim all that belongs to You, for Your greater glory. Lord may we be ready for the any day return of Jesus in the clouds for His Bride so that the day does not overtake us like a thief in the night. Lord us my friend to boldly proclaim the Truth of Your Word to all today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !!
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