"and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation" ~2 Peter 3:15a
Many people wonder..."When is Jesus coming back?" Some say we still have another thousand years, whereas others say the end is nigh. I think what most people wonder is, "Why wait?" There's so much going wrong with the world. Why won't Jesus just come back now and end all the suffering so we can live in paradise with Him forever?
Peter gives us the answer in today's Scripture (2 Peter 3:1-18). "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" (9). Our God doesn't make rash judgments but is so patient with us that He gives us every opportunity to leave our old selves behind and be made new with him. He desires for all of humanity to repent and accept salvation! Peter warns us scoffers will try to dissuade us from this truth; they'll say God has given up or, in fact, he wasn't even real to begin with. Peter knows we all need a reminder from time to time. That is why we should hold onto the words in Scripture fulfilled and handed down throughout the ages. A day is like a thousand years to God (8). Our timetable isn't His timetable. He has kept every promise, so why doubt this one? "Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells" (13). As Christians, we have much to look forward to "therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked" (17). Look forward to His coming, but in the meantime, don't forget, He hasn't come yet because there's still time for others to be saved. Always improve the present moment.
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