Thinking Thursday

Peter urges Christians to remember Scripture and teachings:

[2Pe 3:1 ESV] This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,

[2Pe 3:2 ESV] that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles,

Naysayers will be everywhere, trying to drag your faith down:

[2Pe 3:3 ESV] knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.

[2Pe 3:4 ESV] They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation."

But they are wrong and here is why and Peter believed in the creationist view:

[2Pe 3:5 ESV] For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God,

During the days of Noah:

[2Pe 3:6 ESV] and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished.

Peter shares what God revealed to him about the last days:

[2Pe 3:7 ESV] But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

These things will take place in God's timing and not when we think they should happen.  God's timetable is much different than ours:

[2Pe 3:8 ESV] But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

What we see as a delay in His Son's return, is actually mercy so more people may be added to the family of God:

[2Pe 3:9 ESV] 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.

A new heaven and a new earth will appear:

[2Pe 3:10 ESV] But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

We need to be new creatures remade in the image of the Son:

[2Pe 3:11 ESV] Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,

[2Pe 3:12 ESV] waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!

Are you not giddy with anticipation to live where righteousness dwells?  Perhaps it is too hard to comprehend as all we know is this fallen world ripe with unrighteousness.  All I know is my heart yearns to see this heavenly place that God has prepared for those who love Him!

[2Pe 3:13 ESV] But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.