RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2020-06-23	Where Is The Promise of His Coming (2 Peter 3) — (Delay, Mockers, and Date Setters, O My!)
		2Pe 3:3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 2Pe 3:4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." 2Pe 3:5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 2Pe 3:6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 2Pe 3:7 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. 2Pe 3:8 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. 2Pe 3:9 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. 2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 2Pe 3:11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 2Pe 3:12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.  Scoffers in the last days ask, Where is the promise of Christ's coming? Faithful Bible teachers proclaim that Christ is coming back for us (Jn.14:1-3; 2Th.4:13-18). We receive comfort from this truth. The Bible says Jesus will come a “second time” (He.9:28). Heb 9:28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. That Jesus has not yet come back after nearly 2,000 years, demonstrates a long delay, and an expectation of scoffers. I do not distinguish between date setters and date suggestors. A date setter is one who tries to predict when Christ will return. For one reason or another there have always been mockers against believers in Jesus Christ. However, date setters DO create scoffers. They are doing more than merely provide information about Christ's Return. Many are invested in their date setting. They are even enthusiastic and want these things to happen. They give Christianity a bad name. Many date setters have set dates over and over again in spite of Christ's admonition that no man knows the day nor the hour (Mt.24:36,42, 44; 25:13, etc.). How can anyone who sets dates for Christ's return have any credibility? This is amazing. I realize many love the sensationalism the date setters provide. That is how they can set dates, be wrong, and set another date without impunity or much accountability. The people like it! Peter does not want Christians to lose hope in the midst of adversity. This is why he exhorts them to keep perspective and look ahead and rejoice in the future day when Christ is revealed. Peter teaches there will be a long delay, and scoffers BEFORE Christ returns (2Pe.3:3-8). Jesus also taught a delay, and many other events, BEFORE His Coming (Mt.24:4-8). The reason for God's delay is so man will come to repentance and be saved (2Pe.3:9-10). The Lord's Coming will be as a thief and is connected to the Day of the Lord. Date setters tend to believe the rapture (resurrection) of the church, is the next event on God's prophetic calendar. That is not what the Bible teaches. Jesus, Paul and Peter describe many things that must take place BEFORE Jesus comes for His Church. Allow me to mention just a few events. (1) The sun, moon, and stars sign (Jl.2:30-31); (2) The Falling away apostasy (2Th.2:1-3); (3) the Man of sin revealed (2Th.2:1-3); (4) the scoffers (2Pe.3). (5) The unbeliever's “peace and safety” comment (1Th.5:2-3); (6) Man of sin declares to be God (2Th.2:1-4). The consistent admonition is to be ready and alert, because we do NOT know when He is coming. I hope this year will spur on more dialogue on the subject of Christ's return. It seems to be more important than ever to have a proper and especially Biblical perspective. Maranatha, Our Lord Comes! Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

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