2 Peter Chapter 3 Pt. 2 Final Fiery Judgment Is Coming. Live For God's Glory.

Peter has a strong sense of urgency to communicate essential truths that believers must latch on to.

The last days, or end times, are upon us, and Christians are to be actively serving our Lord Jesus Christ. 

We are to walk with Him day by day, and to open our mouths as His faithful witnesses. 

We are to work diligently for Christ until the day He calls us home to heaven, or until He returns for His church at the rapture.

Now we come to an important reminder from the Spirit of God who guided Peter to record these words for us.

God is infinite in all His being, and is not bound by time, space or matter. 

2 Peter 3:8  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 

Part of our human condition is that we live in the space, matter and time continuum. 

We are somewhat stuck in that we have a hard time thinking of eternity, when our whole life revolves around a 24 hour day, 360 days per year cycle.

In addition, we operate within the constraints of a physical universe, and our own energy is limited. Thus it is hard for us to think in terms of God's infinite power, knowledge and presence. 

Therefore, the Spirit of God moved Peter to remind us that we must not be ignorant of this particular truth: one day with God is like a thousand years to us, and a thousand years to Him is like one day. 

This is a clear way of reminding us that God is not bound by any constraints of time, space or matter, like we are bound. 

Psalm 90:4  For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. 

Peter referenced this Psalm because it gives us such a good picture of how vast God really is. 

He is above and beyond it all because He created them to regulate our lives, for our good. 

Eternal God exceeds all measures of time. In His divine knowledge all future things are present and His power requires no long delays for the performance of His work. 

His patient long-suffering excludes all impatience on our part. God is equally blessed in one day, and in a thousand years. He can do the work of a thousand years in one day.

Now, the apostle has a very good reason for teaching us about the truth of God's infinite being. He is going to use this truth to answer the scoffers, mockers and critics of scripture. 

These are the ones who claim that God is not doing anything. They say that His promises have not come to pass and imply that they will never be fulfilled. 

God wants all sinners to repent and be saved.  

2 Peter 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 

What Peter tells us here has a direct impact on the born again believers still living on this earth.

God is not slacking, with regard to fulfilling His promise of final judgment upon wicked sinners.

Ezekiel 33:11  Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

He is long suffering with sinners because He does not want any soul to die in their sins, and be condemned to the eternal flames of Hell. 

God's long suffering is demonstrated by centuries of constant pleading with the Israelites to turn from idolatry. Jehovah wanted them to repent of their sins and humbling themselves before Him. 

God derives no pleasure when a sinner dies and goes to Hell.

God wants all people to be saved. Therefore, He leaves His church intact and in place in this present evil world. 

Why? So that gospel preaching continues. So that sinners have more opportunities to hear the gospel and be converted to Christ.

Where the scoffers and mockers claim that God will not fulfill His promise of fiery judgment upon sinners, God is being merciful. 

How so? By granting all sinners in the world, another day, another chance to hear the gospel and be born again.  

1 Timothy 2:1-6  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2)  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3)For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4)  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5)  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6)  Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

The Holy Spirit guided Paul to write about this same truth. He reminds us to pray for all men, interceding for them, that they might come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. 

What is it that most pleases our merciful God? It is that the gospel of Christ be preached, so that sinners might respond with repentant faith.  

God wants all men, all people everywhere to be saved, without regard to gender, status, wealth, education or ethnicity.

God does not respect any person. All the human accolades and achievements mean nothing to God. 

He sees our heart, and knows that we are wicked sinners in need of a Savior. He provided a Savior for all mankind, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 

Make no mistake. Final, fiery judgment will come. 

2 Peter 3:10  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 

The apostle warns us very strongly that the Day of the Lord final judgment will come. It will come at a time when we do not expect it to come. It will arrive like a thief, who stealthily breaks into a home during the night, to steal. 

When Christ returns in flaming fire to take vengeance upon all unrepentant sinners, there will be a loud noise, like massive thundering heard throughout the world. 

The elements of our atmosphere will then melt away under the heat of God's wrath. The whole world will be consumed by fire, just as the prophets of the Old Testament warned. 

(See for examples, Psalm 102:26; Isaiah 2:12; 51:6  Joel 1:15, 2:1, 2:31, 3:14; Malachi 4:5; 1 Corinthians 5:5; 2 Corinthians 1:14; and Jude 1:6).

How should we live in light of these truths?

2 Peter 3:11-13  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12)  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13)  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 

Because these things are essential truths, it must impact how a Christian lives right here and now. We are not to live for self and the pursuit of worldly pleasures.

We are to live for the glory of God and must seek first His kingdom, each day. 

Peter tells us we must live by remembering that final judgment is certain, and our own lives should be marked by holy living and godly character. 

We should be motivated to share the gospel of Christ with those who do not know the Lord. We should have the heart of God, who wants all people to be saved.

Let us live by faith, knowing that our Father in heaven will create a new heaven and a new earth, that will be filled with His righteousness. 

Bob