IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

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 done in it will be laid bare.

2 Peter 3:10

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

In this final chapter of 2 Peter, we find Peter, the author, addressing the matter of scoffers who would emerge in the last days and question the validity of Jesus’ promise to return. The Word of God tells us that they will use these words as they follow their “evil desires”:

They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 2 Peter 2:3-4

In response to this, the Lord, speaking through Peter, makes it clear that His concept of time isn’t the same as the people He created for while they live within the framework of a limited lifespan, God exists from beginning to end. He is the Alpha and Omega who can see a thousand years as if they were simply a say and a day like it were a thousand years in duration. And while we seem pressured to accomplish things within a set of goals based on our limited time on earth, the Lord of the Heavens does not feel hurried in any way shape or form. He always executes His perfect plans with perfect timing to ensure His perfect ways are fulfilled.

The raw truth, affirmed by the scriptures, is that Jesus is coming back after ascending to sit at the right hand of God the Father where He sits in all authority over all things in Heaven and earth (Acts 1:9, Hebrews 12:2, Matthew 28:18). No one knows when that time will be, only God as proclaimed by Jesus Himself:

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in Heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Matthew 24:35-36

The second coming of Jesus isn’t something any person can enter on their calendar. It’s nothing anyone can plan for but this doesn’t mean they can’t be prepared for then God sends His Son back to judge the earth. If you’re reading this today and haven’t accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, don’t delay another second because if Jesus were to return this very moment, it’s too late. Hell is your eternal destiny where you’ll live with Satan and every one of his demons in constant damnation and torment. Only a fool would forego Heaven for that.

Looking at our verse today from 2 Peter, we’re reminded that when Jesus comes, it will be “like a thief” who comes unexpectedly to steal from an unsuspecting homeowner. This alludes to a homeowner who was going through life without any worry of threat, even though the threat of robbery was always present.

In his first letter to the Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul uses like imagery, showing how the Lord can send the same message through different people. Paul writes:

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 5:1-3

When Jesus returns to judge all creation, it will be in the blink of an eye. Those who adopt the attitude of the scoffers, an attitude that would brush off the sure promise of God that He would send His Son again, will find utter destruction come just as “labor pains” emerge “on a pregnant woman”. Note here that there is no escape once Christ comes for the second time.

Note as well that all creation as we know it will end just as abruptly. God’s Word assures us that “the heavens will disappear with a roar”, the “elements will be destroyed by fire”, and “the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare”.

In other words, in the blink of an eye, God is going to press the reset button on everything as we know it and after casting Satan and all unbelievers into the fire of Hell (Revelation 20:10-15), He is going to make all things new, something He proclaims as the new Heaven and earth emerge (Revelation 21:1-5).

In the end translation, Jesus’ return will be the best day ever for those who placed their belief and trust in Him and the worst day ever for those who didn’t. Today, I implore you to not be counted in the latter for everyone is going to live forever one way or another. Ensure you will be in Heaven and not Hell.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it. Send any prayer requests to TheChristianWalkPrayers@gmail.com.