The Word This Week
2 Peter 3:1...
As a final ‘reminder’ to the Church to not turn away from the words of the holy prophets and the commandment of the apostles, Peter informs them this is the reason he has written his second letter to the Church.
Already he has seen those in the Church fall away from the Church, under the pressure of persecution in the first case, but also under the peer pressure of scoffers who mock the words of the holy prophets and the commandment of the apostles.
It is very clear from what Peter writes here that the return of Christ for His Church, the tribulation of the earth, the destruction of the earth and all that remains - by fire and fervent heat - and the creation of a new heavens and a new earth were being taught in the early-days Church. These important doctrines were not esoteric, and they were not regarded as unimportant for general understanding – but were taught as paramount to both our understanding, and for our continuing in the words of the holy prophets and in the commandment of the apostles.
So when will Jesus return? Why hasn’t Jesus returned?
These were and continue to be the weapons employed by scoffers, philosophers, and intellectuals to seek the undermine this fundamental doctrine, (which is the predominant doctrine found in the New Testament.) The return of Christ – first to rescue His Church, and then to rule and reign upon the earth – is spoken of over 300 times in the New Testament. It is also prominently spoken of in the Old Testament.
Well then, why hasn’t Jesus come?
By now over two thousand years have passed. What is He waiting for?
In a word: You.
God does not desire that anyone should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance. He is not slack concerning His promise, but faithful and loving and true.
Be reminded of those who scoffed at God’s plan of salvation in the days of Noah. Never see the Lord’s delay as anything but graceful. What we interpret as delay is God’s perfect timing, that all who would be saved will be saved.
Pastor Bill
As a final ‘reminder’ to the Church to not turn away from the words of the holy prophets and the commandment of the apostles, Peter informs them this is the reason he has written his second letter to the Church.
Already he has seen those in the Church fall away from the Church, under the pressure of persecution in the first case, but also under the peer pressure of scoffers who mock the words of the holy prophets and the commandment of the apostles.
It is very clear from what Peter writes here that the return of Christ for His Church, the tribulation of the earth, the destruction of the earth and all that remains - by fire and fervent heat - and the creation of a new heavens and a new earth were being taught in the early-days Church. These important doctrines were not esoteric, and they were not regarded as unimportant for general understanding – but were taught as paramount to both our understanding, and for our continuing in the words of the holy prophets and in the commandment of the apostles.
So when will Jesus return? Why hasn’t Jesus returned?
These were and continue to be the weapons employed by scoffers, philosophers, and intellectuals to seek the undermine this fundamental doctrine, (which is the predominant doctrine found in the New Testament.) The return of Christ – first to rescue His Church, and then to rule and reign upon the earth – is spoken of over 300 times in the New Testament. It is also prominently spoken of in the Old Testament.
Well then, why hasn’t Jesus come?
By now over two thousand years have passed. What is He waiting for?
In a word: You.
God does not desire that anyone should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance. He is not slack concerning His promise, but faithful and loving and true.
Be reminded of those who scoffed at God’s plan of salvation in the days of Noah. Never see the Lord’s delay as anything but graceful. What we interpret as delay is God’s perfect timing, that all who would be saved will be saved.
Pastor Bill