June 23
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GOD ISN’T SLOW ABOUT HIS PROMISE
7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly people. 8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.
– 2 Peter 3:7-9
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In this letter, Peter gives us a clear illustration of the current heavens and earth which are both going to be judged. The “fire” he mentioned in verse 7 is hell which are reserved for those who are wicked and unrepentant of their sins. Once again, Peter warns the family of believers to clearly see the consequence of sins. This is how we know that Peter was a great leader and a good shepherd who doesn’t want any of his sheep to be lost. In John 21, Peter was asked by the Lord “Do you love me?” three times. Jesus had three commands to him after he answered “yes” three times. Jesus instructed Peter to: Feed his lamb, take care of my sheep, feed my sheep. In this conversation, we clearly see how impatient and insecure Peter was. He was impatient about why Jesus asked him three times. When Jesus gave him a glimpse of his coming death, he turned to John and asked Jesus if John will also die.
In verses 8-9, we saw how Peter have grown from the time Jesus asked him if he loves him. He wants the believers to keep being patient about waiting for the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise. He knows how impatient he was, so he gives the believer a clear picture that human viewpoint is very different from God’s. He assured them that God is never slow about His promises as some people think. It is His “patience” that we cannot fathom. It is amazingly astounding and different from us. No words can describe how God can wait for us to repent because he doesn’t want anyone to perish. In Peter’s description of God’s patience, it is a manifestation of his love. In other words, we can only have patience if we love as much as God does. When we are impatient, there is something inside us that wants to cater to our nature. By nature, we are selfish. But by God’s grace, we can let go of this tendency towards sin. This is why God instructs us to follow Jesus. It is only through Christ that we can bear the fruit of patience. It is a clear sign that we are walking in the God’s Spirit when we can give patience to others and to ourselves.
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REFLECTION
• Why do some people think God is slow to fulfill His promises?
Monthly Archives: July 2021
WARNING ABOUT THE LAST DAYS ILMA’S VLOG
WARNING ABOUT THE LAST DAYS
Beloved, this is now the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of a reminder, 2 to remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.
3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue just as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 through which the world at that time was destroyed by being flooded with water. – 2 Peter 3:1-6
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In this second letter, Peter warns the believers about what was spoken by the holy prophets and all the laws of the Lord spoken by the apostles. He tells them of the signs that will come on those last days. In verse 3, Peter says that there will be a proliferation of lovers of self and mockers. These people will question and mock the promises made by God and also the prophecies given by those prophets of God.
Aren’t we already in the last days? The signs are very clear, people have turned their backs on God. Many people believe more in their abilities and thinking. They have forgotten the source of all creation, the Lord God Himself. Power and control have been clearly in abundance where corruption of the minds and hearts of the weak is the norm now. We live in a world where people focus on themselves and have forgotten to serve the creator. Very few actually know their purpose in life, that is to serve and bring glory to the one who gave them all, the heavenly Father. We become so busy with self-glorification that we barely have given praise and adoration to our Lord. We wake up each day, to do our work, perform our roles but we never stop and rest and be still and know that the Lord is in control. We are so consumed by this world’s standards and we keep on performing to achieve it. Each person is busy to fulfill their dreams, wishes, needs, but no one really comes to go to the Lord to seek counsel and to do His will. What mockers we have turned to be! What idolaters we are. We seek to satisfy our needs and cravings but do not desire to serve and know the Lord who made us. Peter reminds us of the flood that destroyed the sinners during the time of Noah. Aren’t we provoking God’s wrath by our wickedness?
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REFLECTION
• What do we need to do to be ready for the second coming of Jesus?