We continue in our study of 2 Peter. Picking up at verse 10 of chapter 3, we read words penned by Peter that were inspired and given by The Holy Spirit. He writes:
“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 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 new earth, the home of righteousness.”
2 Peter 3:10-13
Peter is writing to his church about the second coming of the Lord Jesus, and the things we should expect to happen when He comes.
When we are expecting someone to come to see us, we naturally ask, “When will they arrive so that we can be ready.” Because The Lord had not come as quickly as some thought He would, several members of his Church were starting to lose faith in the fact that He would come again. Peter had warned them not to look at time as we know it, but rather to look at the Words of The Lord, and the words of the Prophets of old.
Peter had heard Jesus say: “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready because the
Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him. (Luke 12: 35,36,38-40)
Peter quotes from Isaiah who had written hundreds of years before: “For the past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from my eyes. Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create. ( Isaiah 65: 16-18)
God’s children will be lifted out before this happens, but Isaiah explained why the Lord will destroy the earth and heavens on ‘the day of the Lord’. The Lord said, “The past troubles will be forgotten, and hidden from My eyes.”
In this present world, The Lord has allowed evil to live and thrive along side that which is good and right. In the new heavens and earth, there shall be no evil. And as Isaiah wrote, “we will be glad and rejoice forever in what He will create” for us who believe.
Wonderful, and beautiful things lie ahead for God’s Beloveds in the new Heavens and Earth as ‘The Day of the Lord’ brings it about.
Wonderful and beautiful things are ours to have every day as we live in the Kingdom of God in the here and now. For it is here, and it is now by grace through faith. The Word tells us, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of Righteousness, Peace and Joy in The Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17). The home of Righteousness is in the Holy Spirit.
Let us abide in the Kingdom of God in the Holy Spirit today, and every day. By Father’s Grace,we will live in peace, and joy, and victory in all things through faith in Christ Jesus.
You are greatly blessed, highly favored, and deeply loved, my Friends. You are God’s Beloveds – Saints of the Lord. Walk in your blessings, now and forever.
I love you.
Poppa B
Abundant Life Christian Fellowship, On Line