November 3
“This they willingly forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 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. 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. 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,” 2 Peter 3:5-9.
The apostle Peter expresses one of the reasons why the Bible critics reject what is recorded with reference to the Second Coming of Christ on the Day of Judgment. The critics willfully forget the Great Flood by which the earth that existed at the time perished. Only Noah, his wife, their three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, their wives, and the animals that God commanded Noah to take into the ark were spared. Peter says that the false teachers willfully forget the Great Flood. They live in stubborn unbelief.
However, “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.” The same almighty word of God that created all things at the beginning presently preserves the heavens and earth, which are reserved for fire until the Day of Judgment.
Peter reminds his readers and us of a few other facts: “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.” God is not bound by our calendar of time. What might seem to us to be so long a time in coming is like a moment in God’s plan.
Peter also reminds us that, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness.” Scripture records, “God is not a man, that He should lie,” Numbers 23:19. People make promises, and often they break their promises the same day that they made them. On the other hand, God is the God of promises, and He keeps them.
Why is the Day of Judgment being delayed? God is “longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” God is patient, and He desires the salvation of all people. Through the prophet Ezekiel, the Lord said, “‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live,’” Ezekiel 33:11. Paul wrote to Timothy, “(God) desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth,” 1 Timothy 2:4.
The Holy Spirit is calling to sinners who are still in spiritual darkness to repent and to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as God’s Son and their Savior from sin, death, and the devil. That is why this world is still in existence. Let us invite the unconverted to believe in Jesus as their Savior before it is too late!
“There still is time! The Master’s voice still rings, and all His heralds plead:
Oh, hide beneath the covert of His wings against the time of need!
The gracious call is still extended: The day of grace is not yet ended.
There still is time! There still is time!
Now is the time! How fast the moments fly! How soon each hour is gone!
Ye virgins, hear and heed the midnight cry; look for the break of dawn.
The Bridegroom comes; prepare to greet Him! Rise! Trim your lamps! Go out to meet Him:
Now is the time! Now is the time.” Amen.