Press on to Heaven

Introduction

What a day of rejoicing that will be, amen. Open your Bibles with me to 2 Peter chapter 3. In the book of 2 Peter, chapter 3, and note what’s written, what’s going on, what the people are facing, and what they’re encouraged to do. In 2 Peter chapter 3, beginning in verse 1, Peter writes, This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, Where is the promise of his coming?

1. Where Is the Promise of His Coming?

For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation, for they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do you see the question that was being asked in verse 4? They were saying, Where is the promise of his coming? Everything’s happening the way it always has. And I think at an assembly like we have this morning with a bunch of Christian people, we say, Of course, Jesus is going to come back.

2. The Lord Is Not Slow to Fulfill His Promise

Of course, the day of the Lord is coming, even though all this time has passed, even since the cross. But the challenge is do we fulfill what Peter says would manifest itself as part of that understanding? Keep reading with me in verse eight. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient towards you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

3. Lives of Holiness and Godliness

Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn. But according to his promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Do you see in verse 11 that that is the mark of those who not only make out to say that they believe that the Lord is coming, but those who actually act, understand, and have faith that the Lord is coming. That is people who will be living lives of holiness and godliness. Doing what, verse 12?

4. Waiting For and Hastening the Day of the Lord

This is key. Verse 12, waiting for, yes, but hastening the coming of the day of the Lord. Now there’s a big difference between waiting for something and hastening for it. Do we really want the day of the Lord to come? Would we want that day to be now? If we’re going to go to heaven, if we’re going to be there when we all sing when we all get to heaven, if we’re going to be there with God, we want that day today. Amen. But if we don’t, it’s a fearful day. It’s a frightening day. As a Christian, I should know that Jesus is coming. I shouldn’t be swayed by people who say, all life continues to go on because I know what verse 8 says. The Lord doesn’t count time as we do, by the way.

It’s interesting. You don’t read anything really about creation in this chapter, do you? In 2 Peter chapter 3 and verse 8, though, the point is made clearly that God’s time is beyond ours. What God views as a long period of time would be eternity. What we view as a long period of time may be a thousand years, but that’s nothing when it comes to an eternity spent with or without our Maker, with whom is our only true source of light. Are we waiting for and hastening the day of the Lord? Do we truly believe that Jesus would come? Because if we do, I can look at my life and say, like verse 11 says I should, that I’m living a life of holiness and godliness. If not, it’s time to start because we do know that the same God who did create the heavens and the earth is the same God who flooded the world with water, and the same God who in verse 7 says that now, but by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

Conclusion

There’s a great day coming, brothers and sisters. It could be great or it could be tragic. The good news is God has made the choice available to each one of us this very morning. Will you go to God in prayer with me at this time? Our dear God and most gracious Heavenly Father, we’re so thankful that you allow us to be called children of you. You spoke and this world came into existence. O Lord, man was thinking on evil continually, and you flooded the earth. We’re so thankful for the fact, dear Lord, that you saw Noah and you looked upon him with favor, that you saw Abraham and made the promises to him that you did that reach down even to our lives today through Jesus the Christ, the promised seed through which all families of the earth would be blessed.

Thank you, O Lord, for having a great plan of salvation from before the foundation of the world, knowing that you would be willing to offer and sacrifice Jesus the Christ, your Son, to die on the cross because of our sins. You are a mighty God. We know that you will keep your promises. We know that you are faithful and you have promised us that you are coming again. We pray that you forgive us of our sins. We pray, dear Lord, that if this were to be the day that we’re called up for eternity, that we would be found pleasing in your sight, blameless, and that while we’re living here, we would strive to be holy and perfect, as you, O God, are perfect and holy. Keep us safe through this day.

Help us to worship you, both in spirit and truth, offering spiritual sacrifices up to you. Help us to truly have an open mind and open hearts to not only learn, but to apply what your will is. Thank you for making your will made known to us, O Lord. Thank you for the Christians that meet here at Bumby. Help us all to encourage one another, to strengthen one another, and live in lights in this world as long as you allow us to live. Thank you for your blessings, O God, and it’s in your Son’s name we do pray. Amen.