Thursday, December 6, 2012

Week 49 / 2 Peter 3


“God gave Noah the rainbow sign;
No more water but the fire next time.” - Negro Spiritual

“By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire.”2 Peter 3:6-7a

The Fire Next Time

We are in the first week of December, 2012. If the Mayan Calendar prognosticators are correct this is the world’s last month. This isn’t the first time that predictions of the end of the world have gained notoriety. Some such predictions have come from within the church while others have come from outside of Christendom. So far they have all been wrong.

The world as we know it will end, but we have a problem.

The Problem

We have literally lost track of how many times the prediction has been wrong. The cry, “Wolf!”, has gone out so many times that many people are numb to it. It is easy to understand why, upon hearing such dire news, the typical response tends to be, “Sure, yada yada yada yada…”

The world as we know it will end, but how can we know anything about it with so many wrong warning going forth?

This One is Different

Actually, it isn’t all that hard to distinguish the bogus from the genuine. The Bible consistently warns about false prophets and misleading prophecies. Peter even alerts us to the fact that people will become so numb to news of the end that they will scoff when they hear it. They will even forget the flood; an event so significant that rumors of it persist in almost every culture. 

Here is a sure fire give away that an “end of the world” prediction is false: “If they set a date you may be certain that this isn’t from God.”

Jesus said that no man knows the day or hour. Peter says here that the day of the Lord will come like a thief. Jesus also said that He would return at the hour when He is least expected. I don’t know when the end will come but I now when it won’t come: 12/21/12.

The world as we know it will end, and that’s not a bad thing. In fact, it is a glorious thing because it will be replaced by a new heaven and new earth which, instead of being a cruel fallen world will be the home of righteousness. 

When will it happen? At the right time. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” The important question isn’t “When”, “Who will be ready”.

No comments: