Just As It Was

“This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles. Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”  2 Peter 3:1-4 NASB

FELL ASLEEP… that caught my thoughts for a moment, fell asleep as reference to physically and or spiritually…. 

There was a young man told of in Acts 20:9 who literally fell asleep as Apostle Paul was preaching, fell out of a window and passed away - Then in Acts 20:10-22 he was miraculously healed and brought back to life. 

And I wonder, how often is that us? How often do we “fall asleep”?

let’s decide, right now, from here on, we will step boldly into the word of God and as we read the Bible this week, really receive it, study it, pray about each word read. Do we take Holy Spirit’s revelation and warnings seriously? Do these reminders stir something inside of us?

I am so thankful that God has given us 2 Peter 3:8-9 NASB “But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

So even though I mess up, even though we regularly need the Lord’s reminders and warnings, God is merciful and patient with us. He’s cheering me on as I run the race and He’s doing the same for you He truly is!  God desires His people to dwell eternally in His kingdom. …. Your kingdom come on earth as in heaven….

When we read through the Bible we realize that Jesus is coming back …. His return as “a thief in the night” means we don’t know when Jesus will return. But I know one thing… When Jesus does return, I want to be caught doing something that matters to Him.  God allows His people many adventures, interests, creative outlets, hobbies. However, in light of the imminent return of Christ, all of those things seem a lot less mandatory. 

2 Peter 3:10-13 CSB  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness as you wait for the day of God and hasten its coming. Because of that day, the heavens will be dissolved with fire and the elements will melt with heat. But based on his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

Lord thank You, we are humbled by Your majesty, the weight is overwhelming and enlightening as Your glory fills this place…. Amazing grace….

We cannot approach God casually without reverence. He is God, yes our Heavenly Father to whom we can run and cling, yet He is also the possessor of heaven and earth.  And He commands His people accordingly. The Christian walk lead by Jesus is the most satisfying, but only when we actually go all out and all the way. If we compromise with the world we will find life miserable, falling away from hope and peace without the fellowship that comes through surrender to God.

The Bible teaches that following Jesus Christ is likened to an athletic contest or to warfare, and neither one is easy. Jesus warned His followers to count carefully the cost, and that certainly does not speak of an easy way in this life. But there is no good thing that comes without cost. For every trial and test, God supplies an abundance of strength, grace and fortitude with which to bear it, and in our weakness we are made strong because of our reliance on Him.