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Why is Jesus taking so long to return? How can we know He is going to return? Simon Peter assures us why we should be living like we are awaiting His arrival.

We have the great privilege of reading from Old Testament prophets. We also have the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus, as shared through His apostles, in the New Testament writings. What is written in the Scriptures will challenge us & change us if we read and heed what is in there. 

• Is that TRUE of YOU? Are you reading the Scriptures regularly and then living what you read?

• Peter and the 1st century followers of Jesus were living in the last days, the period of time between the first and second coming of Jesus (not a distant time in the future). Last days is used by several New Testament writers to refer to what was happening in their lifetime (Acts 2:17, Heb 1:2, 2 Tim 3:1).

“Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.” (1 John 2:18 NIV) 

Peter is writing this to prepare his ancient audience for what THEY could expect soon, since they were living in “the last days.”

The first-century followers of Jesus seemed to think Jesus would physically return within their lifetime, but He obviously had not returned when Peter wrote this letter. The false teachers and enemies of Christ scoffed and made fun of Christians for believing in Jesus’ return. 2000 years later, Jesus still has not returned. Could it be that we have been duped, that Jesus is NOT returning? That’s what the scoffers were saying. 

By God’s word everything came into existence. Peter is referring the creation of everything out of nothing.

• The heavens consist of everything we see in the sky & beyond - every star, planet, moon, astroid, & comet. 
• And the earth was formed out of water. God caused the waters to gather while the dry ground appeared and separated them (Gen 1:9).

But God also used water, the source of life, to bring death to the ungodly during Noah’s day. God won’t use a flood next time; He will use fire to bring judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 

This phrase about a thousand years is not original with Simon Peter; it is used in the Psalms quoting Moses, who compared the short lifespan of humans to the eternity of God’s existence.

Psalm 90:2–4 (NIV) Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.” A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.

Jesus isn’t late for the appointment. He will show up in the fulness of time, just as was true with His first coming (Gal 4:4). He has made a promise, that Peter likely recalled in his mind. When He saw Jesus ascend into heaven, the angels said, “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11). This promise will be fulfilled.

Why hasn’t it been fulfilled yet? Jesus is patient with people. Rather than immediately strike down His enemies, God has been patient. The Scriptures are full of this kind of language about God. He is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, kind, and abounding in love (Ex. 34:6; Joel 2:13; Rom. 2:4).

He is patient because He is not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 

• Some Calvinist commentators (e.g. John MacArthur) claim that the “you” God is being patient with only applies to those who God “elects” to salvation. 
• The “you” applies to Peter’s audience as well as everyone else that God is being patient with - giving them time to hear and respond to the good news of Jesus, by repentance - turning from sin and turning to Jesus. People stop living for themselves and start living for Jesus.

Several passages offer God’s mercy to anyone and everyone to come to repentance.

Ezekiel 18:23 (NIV) Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?

1 Timothy 2:3–4 (NIV) This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Acts 17:30–31 (NIV) In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

If we knew that was happening this week, we would all suddenly be able to live holy and godly lives. The temptation to sin wouldn’t be nearly as strong & we would be quick to forgive others & tell them about Jesus. 

So, why aren’t we doing that NOW? Simply, we aren’t acting like we look forward to the day of God. 

But we should be! What impact might we have if we started living like Jesus is returning?

What’s the part about speed its coming? Scholars mention a couple of options: 

1. Jewish rabbis claimed the Messiah would come only when all the people of Israel repented and obeyed the law perfectly for one day.
2. Isaiah 60:22 and several other Jewish writings before Simon Peter’s day note that God is that one who will speed its coming. So, believers should look forward to the day with anticipation & excitement rather than anxiousness and fear.

• Why should Christians look forward to that day? And why should those who refuse to follow Jesus of the Scriptures be concerned?

Encouraging Words for Followers of Jesus

1 Thessalonians 4:15–18 (NIV) According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. 

• For Christians these should be SUPER ENCOURAGING WORDS!
• Notice that there is NO TALK of being taken to heaven for 7 years while hell breaks out on Earth. 
• On the heels of followers of Jesus seeing and celebrating being in His Presence, there is immediate judgment for the enemies of Jesus.

Words of Warning to Scoffers

1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 (NIV) 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.

The “scoffers” Peter mentioned earlier will shut their mouths and bow their knees when Jesus returns.

The One who made all things will destroy the heavens (everything in and beyond our atmosphere) as well as all the elements with fire. The heavens above us and the Earth below us will be obliterated and renovated and no one alive on Earth will be spared. 

But…what will follow is God’s promise of no more sin, no more lying, no more sickness, disease, or death. There will be no more sinners; just those who have been forever transformed by our Savior! Oh what a day that will be! Until that day, we have WORK to do.

False teachers were earlier called “spots and blemishes” (2 Pet 2:13), so Peter was challenging those who read this to make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with Him. We can’t do that in our own power. Instead, we approach the spotless, blameless Lamb of God who places our sin on His back. He has made us spotless, blameless, and at peace with God.

Is that TRUE of YOU? Are you livin’ forgiven? OR…have you discounted the depravity of your sin - you act like your sin is NOT a big deal to God, like Jesus didn’t die for your sin?

Once our family and friends know the Lord, we want Jesus to come back and we can become impatient with others. We must remember, trust, and take our opportunities to share Jesus while we can, 

because...our Lord’s patience means salvation for those who don’t currently know Jesus.

If YOU aren’t a follower of Jesus, God is being patient with you. Stop taking that for granted.

Is that TRUE of you? Do you recognize and demonstrate that God is patient with people because more people need the salvation Jesus offers?

Even though Peter struggled to understand some of what Paul wrote, Peter did not dismiss or distort the Scriptures nor submit to what they say we should obey.

• Are you bending the Bible to fit your beliefs…OR…are you bending your beliefs to fit what the Bible says?

Is that TRUE of YOU? Are you trusting or twisting the Scriptures? Are you obeying all that is written OR practicing Bible buffet where you take what you like and leave what you don’t like?

Is that TRUE of YOU? Are you guarding your mind from what is false, & growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus? Or...are you allowing what is false to keep you from growing in truth? How much time are you spending in the Scripture versus social media, TV, and movies? How much time are you spending with godly people who speak the truth versus those who don’t? 

Our Faithful King empowers & expects us to be faithful to Him. Our lives should bring Him glory both now and forever - amen!

Take some time to discuss these questions with your family, friends, or group.

1. What challenged or encouraged you most from today’s teaching? Explain your answer.
2. Why do you think the war between Ukraine & Russia as well as inflating prices in the U.S. cause so many to be afraid?
3. Read Acts 2:17, Hebrews 1:2, 2 Timothy 3:1, and 1 John 2:18. Have you ever thought about “the last days” as being something that we ARE in, because that has been the case since the time of Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and ascension? If not, why not?
4. Read 2 Peter 3:3-7. What was Peter’s response and reminder to scoffers?
5. Read 2 Peter 3:8-9. According to Peter, why hasn’t Jesus returned yet? Read Exodus 34:6, Joel 2:13, Romans 2:4, Ezekiel 18:23, 1 Timothy 2:3-4, and Acts 17:30-31 and dive deep to discuss God’s patience, kindness, compassion, and desire for all to be saved.
6. Read 2 Peter 3:10-15 and 1 Thessalonians 4:15-5:3. Discuss the difference between the FUTURE HOPE and expected earthly lifestyle for the follower of Jesus compared to the FUTURE HOPELESSNESS for those who refuse to follow Jesus while living on Earth. 
7. Read 2 Peter 3:16-18 and discuss 1) how some distort the Scriptures 2) how Christians can guard themselves from being “carried away” and instead grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus.
8. Share prayer needs. Continue to pray for the Supreme Court decision that could overturn Roe v. Wade. Pray for our governing leaders and spiritual leaders. Pray for Ukraine.