Living in These Last Days
Scripture – 2 Peter 3:3-7: 3First of 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 fathers 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 existed 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 ungodly men.
Reflection: Two things catch my eye here. The first is the reference to “the last days.” Are we in those? How long will the “last days” go on? As tomorrow’s reading will show, God’s time is far different than ours. His patience exceeds anything we can imagine. We may well be in the last days today and still have a couple thousand more years to go. The key is to be ready. And I am ready through faith in Christ. In Him it doesn’t matter if He returns in my lifetime or not. That’s the great assurance He gives.
The second thing that strikes me here is the simple observation that we’ll always have scoffers. We’ll always have people raising questions aimed at stirring up doubt. Again, that’s when tomorrow’s reading comes into play. The simple truth is Christ will return one day. Be ready for that as you live today.
An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.
Reading for Sunday, November 23
Scripture – 2 Peter 3:8-10: 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. 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 in it will be laid bare.
Reflection: Two things catch my eye here. The first is the reference to “the last days.” Are we in those? How long will the “last days” go on? As tomorrow’s reading will show, God’s time is far different than ours. His patience exceeds anything we can imagine. We may well be in the last days today and still have a couple thousand more years to go. The key is to be ready. And I am ready through faith in Christ. In Him it doesn’t matter if He returns in my lifetime or not. That’s the great assurance He gives.
The second thing that strikes me here is the simple observation that we’ll always have scoffers. We’ll always have people raising questions aimed at stirring up doubt. Again, that’s when tomorrow’s reading comes into play. The simple truth is Christ will return one day. Be ready for that as you live today.
An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.
Reading for Sunday, November 23
Scripture – 2 Peter 3:8-10: 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. 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 in it will be laid bare.
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