2 Peter 3:8-13 8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
As Psalm 90:4-8 says, a thousand years are as yesterday in God’s estimation and our sins are exposed in the light of His presence. His patience suffers long with sinful man and it seems a long time to us to wait for the final judgement; yet His timing is not long in His light of eternity, and the promises to call out His chosen (Deuteronomy 14:2, 1 Peter 2:9) people as He patiently endures our sin while drawing us to repentance in Christ. Even though this longsuffering is drawn out in years, when the Lord returns it will be sudden and unexpected. It is as a thief breaking in without any warning who take all we hold dear to, even up to our very lives. One cannot foresee this nor escape it in its suddenness. Likewise, many will be caught by surprise when Jesus returns because He did not follow their inked out determination of when that would occur. He does not operate in our sense of time or schedule. When He does come, the very heavens will go away and this world will be dissolved by fire (2 Peter 3:7) of the most intense heat, melted away and disintegrated that He may make all things new (Revelation 21:1-5) apart from the corruption of sin which this creation groans under still (Romans 8:22). Therefore we are to be thankful and in fearful awe of the saving grace we received instead of what we justly deserve, and live towards holiness and conformity to Christ as we eagerly await His judgement on sin and renewal of all things. Because of His great promises, we look for a sinless new universe and world to enjoy His presence in forever!
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