2 Peter 3. Have you ever waited a really long time for something? What was it that you waited for? And how did you know it would happen, or were you just hoping? Maybe you have prayed for years that someone close to you would develop a relationship with Jesus. Or perhaps you have prayed and waited for a godly spouse, or for your children to rise up and call you blessed (ha ha… keep hoping!) Sometimes we wait an exceptionally long time for something good to happen, without truly knowing if it will happen or not.

The churches Peter was writing to in his second letter had been waiting for the day of the Lord when Jesus would return to earth in all his glory, establish a physical kingdom, and set all things right with a new heaven and a new earth. (We have been waiting even longer than they did, so this message is for us!)

Peter reminds them that scoffers will come in the last days, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming?” (3:3-4). The implication is that he is not coming at all, he has forgotten, or you misunderstood what was said in the first place.

To the church Peter says, remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord… (3:2) According to the promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells (3:13). I am reminded of Joel 2 which speaks clearly that the day of the Lord is coming… The Lord utters his voice before his army for his camp is exceedingly great, he who executes his word is powerful, for the day of the Lord is great and very awesome, who can endure it? (Joel 2:1,11) The book of Revelation echoes these same messages, the day of the Lord is coming!

So, while we are commanded to remember what was promised, there is the question of timing. Peter addresses the fact that God lives outside time with this well-known statement:  Do not overlook this one in fact, that with the Lord one day is as 1000 years, and 1000 years as one day (3:8). Therefore, since Peter wrote this letter it has been approximately two days in God’s sense of time – did you get that?! Anyhow, Jesus will return in all his glory when the time is right.

Why is he taking so long? Peter explains: The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should reach repentance… count the patience of our Lord as salvation (3:9,15). Well, that changes how we feel about waiting, right? God is taking his time because he wants as many people to come to him as possible. Once the day of the Lord happens, it’s over, there are no more chances for people to decide to follow him.

If we return to Joel chapter 2, we will see the call from the Lord is to return to me with all your heart – with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning, and rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and he relents over disaster. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent and leave a blessing behind him? (Joel 2:12-14)

So, then the question is asked, what sort of people ought you be while you are waiting for the Lord? People who turn to the Lord in repentance. Those who live lives of holiness and godliness, being diligent to be found without blemish and at peace (3:11,14).

The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night (3:10). Are you ready?

We start reading the Gospel of John tomorrow!