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 Some
say that the day of the Lord has come; mockers say it won’t
come; and multitudes live as if they didn’t expect it. But
that great day will come and God wants both scoffer and saint to
be reminded of it, as the context of 2 Pet. 3 indicates.
In
the first place the scoffers are shown to be wrong in concluding
that "all things continue as they were from the
creation" (v. 4). They willfully forget that day in history
when God interrupted the routine of a sin-filled world with a
great flood. No, all yesterdays are not the same. God wants all
men to remember the one that was different and why. Let it be a
reminder that all tomorrows will not be the same either. Even
now this old world is moving closer to a second and final
interruption; the day of judgement and destruction of ungodly
men (v. 7); the day of the Lord.
Something
else that men need to be reminded of is that God is not limited
to man’s concept of time. "For a thousand years in thy
sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in
the night" (Psa. 90:4). Not that God does not recognize the
difference in man’s days and years, but that the passing of
time does not in any way affect His purposes. Gospel preaching
rightly stresses the promises of Christ’s second coming. Any
apparent delay in that coming is not to be construed as
slackness, but rather as longsuffering. What appears to some as
a divine defect is actually an expression of divine grace! God
waits. All the yesterdays plus whatever tomorrows may remain for
all man say, “God waits.” He waits in our day as He did in
the days of Noah (1 Pet. 3:20). He waits for men to turn to Him
in repentance (v. 9) and be saved.
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God’s longsuffering is man’s opportunity;
redeemed, his salvation.
Accordingly,
there is a correlation between the day of the Lord and this day
which every man needs to recognize. Knowing of such a day ought
to make a difference in the way I live today. This is exactly
Peter’s point in v.11: "Seeing that these things are thus
all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in
all holy living and godliness". Continual awareness of that
day and its significance should prompt a manner of life
befitting prepared people. It would encourage a better attitude
toward God and His word, the kind essential to humility.
"Looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day
of God" revives and perpetuates hope within the Christian;
the kind of hope that serves as "an anchor of the
soul" (Heb. 6:19). Those who "look for these
things" (v.14) are characterized by a spirit of diligence
in making their calling and election sure (1:10), avoiding sin
and seeking after peace with both God and man.
Finally,
"knowing these things" (v. 17), Christians are warned
to be on guard against the influence of the wicked, those
unconcerned about the Lord and His return. Beware lest they
hinder our preparation for eternity. Then, "grow in grace
and knowledge"; appropriate every blessing in a way that
honors God; learn more of His word, applying it to every
circumstance of life today — and thus look for that great
day!
Dan S. Shipley
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