LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for November 25: Living with assurance

It seems one topic in which there never is a shortage of interest is the end of the world. Every generation believes it is the last and has numerous reasons to support that belief. Over the past several decades there certainly have been a great number of books and movies portraying various ideas of how and when the end will come.

Even among Christians there are many different interpretations and much speculation concerning the details of how and when Jesus will return.

Yet it has been almost 2,000 years since Jesus returned to heaven, and that delay in light of the continuing presence and growth of evil in the world leads many to wonder if Jesus ever will return or doubt it will happen any time soon.

While the method and timing of his return remain unknown, the Bible clearly promises Christ will return as Judge and reward those who maintain their faith through the delay.

In the meantime, God’s word not only promises his return but provides a means of assurance it will happen. Peter tells us this assurance is not based only on a promised future act, but is founded on God’s actions in the past and is intended to affect the way we live in the present.

Remember the past (2 Peter 3:3-7)

Peter warns his readers they will encounter people who scoff at the idea of a God who interacts with people or situations within the world. They will scoff at the idea of a God who will judge the world.

Every generation since Peter wrote these words has had such people. There seems to be at least two reasons for their scoffing. First, they do not like the idea of a judging God because they know they are guilty and deserving of punishment. Therefore, they simply deny such judgment will come.

Second, they do not see where God has acted in human history up to now. Evil people still prosper while the innocent suffer. They reason that a loving God would have certainly done something about that by now.

Peter responds to these reasons by reminding his readers God has indeed acted in the world in the past. The very existence of creation is a testimony to that. He also reminds them God also has passed judgment on humanity in the past. This most clearly is seen in the destruction of creation through the flood. God’s “delay” simply is another example of the patience God has displayed in the past.

In the days of Jeremiah, many false prophets were disputing Jeremiah’s announcement of God’s judgment also on the basis of God’s delay (Jeremiah 6:13-15) and yet God did destroy the city and send the people into exile. Based on the history we know, why should anyone doubt God will act in bringing history to an end?  

Look to the future (2 Peter 3:8-13)

Any perceived delay by God is purely due to our limited perspective on time. God is fully aware of the passing of time, and God always is right on time. It was only in the “fullness of time” that God sent Jesus to earth the first time (Galatians 4:4). While Jesus did promise to return, he never told us when that would happen.

In fact, in Acts 1:7 he said that only God knows when. Peter here reminds us Jesus also had told us he will come like a thief. In Matthew 24:42-44, Jesus tells us that in light of this, we always should be ready. We should have our eyes to the future expecting his return.

As believers we are waiting for our true home and should be watching for it. In verse 12, Peter says we should be “hastening the day.” How do we do that? According to verse 9, the reason for the delay is that God does not wish for anyone to die separated from God. In Mark 13:10, Jesus stated the gospel first would be proclaimed to all the nations. If we want to hasten the day of his return, we can do so by being diligent in sharing the gospel with all the world.

Live assured in the present (2 Peter 3:14, 17-18)

Many people within the church today spend so much time talking and speculating about the details of the future they never get around to living the truth in the present. They spend so much time proclaiming and explaining their interpretation of the end times, that they never call for repentance and personal transformation.

Just like the five foolish virgins in Matthew 25, we cannot be content with knowing the truth. We must make sure we guard against being led astray by living in light of the truth. As someone has said, “believe he is coming back tomorrow and live like he is coming back today.”

Peter tells us that this calls for four things we should work toward each day. First, refuse to participate in the sins of this world so that you may be without spot or blemish when he returns. Second, refuse to give in to the hopelessness and fear of the world by being at peace in the knowledge of God’s presence and return. Third, beware of the schemes of the enemy which seek to steal your confidence and stability. Fourth, seek to grow in both the grace and knowledge of Christ by spending time with him daily. As we do so, we will live in the full assurance of our God.