His Coming Is Coming: Patience Running Thin

His Coming is Coming;

Patience Running Thin

Verses focused on: 2 Peter 3:3-10, New International Version (NIV)

Verses used: Matthew 23:13-15, Revelation 22:20, Acts 17:31, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Ezekiel 30:3, Isaiah 13:6, Luke 4:14-21, Genesis 18:16-25, Matthew 24.

There is a balancing act going on in Heaven right now between 1) the patience of God and His desire for the redemption of humanity, and 2) His holiness and righteousness … and how one day He as a judge will have to act!

Key verse:

2 Peter 3:3-10, New International Version (NIV)

3Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

8But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

Notes

1. One verse in 25 deals with the Lord’s return.

2. The Lord’s coming is mentioned 318 times in 260 chapters.

3. Of the 27 books of the New Testament, the coming of Jesus is mentioned in all but 4.

4. The phrase ‘day of the Lord’ is found 14 times in the Old Testament and 5 times in the New Testament.

5. The day of the Lord is an extended period of time of God’s judgment on the Earth beginning with the tribulation and including the events of the second coming of Jesus.

Some questions to ponder this week:

1. If you were in charge of the world’s clock, would you slow it down or speed it up? Why?

2. How grateful are you for yourself, your family and the ones you love that God is patiently waiting, “not wanting anyone to perish?”

3. Taking a step further to 2 Peter 3:11, God lets us know that everything will be destroyed and Peter asks, “what kind of people ought you to be?” In light of that, how much passion should we invest in our need to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord?

4. For next week look forward to Pastor Frank teaching on the amazing modern-day miracle that points to the Lord’s return!