October 4, 2021 – 2 Peter 2,3

False teachers, blasphemers, lovers of the world, apostates . . . Peter does not mince words. The Lord will deal harshly with these people. And there were lots of them around, as there are in every generation. There were also scoffers, who doubted and ridiculed the return of Christ. A similar, but different problem arose in Thessalonica, where false teachers were not doubting Christ’s return but were teaching that he had already returned. Here, though, Peter assures that Christ will return. Difficult times, but a sure promise in the midst of it all that “with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise” (3:8).

Further, Peter exclaims: “What sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God!” (3:12). He also encourages: “But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (3:13). What a day that will be!

The trump will sound, the Lord return,

And time no longer be,

The world in judgment flames consume,

In that last great day.

The church of God no more shall need

This poor terrestrial home,

For she shall dwell with Christ, her head,

At the great white throne. -- Daniel Sidney Warner (1893)