Carol J German

God has His clock set for a time when sin will be no more. No one knows when it will be. As every believer waits in expectation, God gives clues so you can keep yourself ready and waiting for the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords to return to gather His flock. Then, He will strike the earth with the roar of His mighty voice and end sin’s domain upon the earth.

In 2 Peter 3:1-18, Peter gives clues, things to watch for, that will give an indication that judgment day is soon approaching. God’s clock is ticking, and you don’t want to be left in the dark. The Son has risen and God is calling forth every person to believe and receive Jesus. Every person must choose to come out of the dark and enter in the Light; see 1 John 1:5-10.

As you and I walk in faith by the light of Christ, we must continue to stimulate wholesome thinking and refresh our minds with the truths of the Bible. These are Peter’s goals in his letters to other believers. It is important to keep in the forefront of your mind the scriptures and what Jesus commanded.

Think about these days that you and I are currently living in. They are fitting perfectly into what Jesus told Peter and the other disciples. There will be scoffers mocking the truth. There are many wolves in sheep’s clothing that are luring believers away from the truth. I am afraid that there are churches that aren’t really godly and holy, nor obedient to God’s Word. They follow man-made traditions over the words of Jesus Christ.

Non-believers, as well as believers, will be found following their own desires. God has given you life to live for Him through His Son, not to do what you want. Many love Jesus while loving their physical life equally as much. You could say that you have two gods; see what Matthew 6:24 has to say about that.

People will deliberately forget “that God made the heavens by the word of His command, and He brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. Then He used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. “^5-6 Forgetfulness is deliberate because God has made Himself known in His creation. You can see Him wherever you look. Your heart has the ability to see and seek God. You were created to know Him.

On judgment day, ungodly people will be destroyed along with Satan and his demons. Right now, the present heavens and earth are being stored up for fire; see verse 7. This day seems to be slow in coming with all the strife and chaos surrounding us. Satan and his agenda is gaining ground and rapidly spreading like wildfire. Praise God that His fire will cause evil’s agenda to cease, and even now, Satan is under the control of God the Father.

Why the delay, as it seems? “The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”⁹ This should humble every one of us to be on our knees in brokenness and repentance.

God’s love for you and I is great, deep, and full of mercy and grace.

Judgment day will occur. You can bank on it. When will it happen? Peter tells us that it will come unexpectedly like a thief, thus you must be stay alert to God and His ways. Continue to feed your heart and soul with God’s Good Word. When God’s clock stops ticking, the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise as the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.

So, what else can you do while you love Jesus and serve others in sharing the wonderful news of His resurrection? Live holy, godly lives. Keep looking forward to the day of God. He promises new heavens and a new earth. It will be a world filled with God’s righteousness. Also, make every effort to live peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in His sight. Remain on guard so you are not carried away by the errors of the wicked. Don’t lose your own secure footing. Grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. Take the time, NOW WHILE THERE IS TIME, to get to know Jesus on a personal level.

God’s clock is ticking and there isn’t much time. No one knows the day and hour of Christ’s return. He returns every day to take people off this earth, while He gives new life too. I have a grandson coming in a few months. Or He is returning to take His Church away from sin’s corruption so He can finish the job and end Satan’s reign on earth.

Praise the Lord and thank Him for all that He is doing in our midst.