Jesus is Coming Back – Part 1

Knowing God Personally

2 Peter 3:1-7

“I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”                                                             John 14:2, 3

2 Peter 2:1

When you have Jesus wrong, you’ll get .

Peter shifts from denouncing false teachers (chapter 2) to exhorting believers (chapter 3). Christians are to hold on to the message of God’s Word about judgment and living godly lives in anticipation of Christ’s return.  Peter gives a biblical perspective about the skeptics who attempt to create doubt about the Lord’s return and remind his readers that only God knows the day or the hour that will happen; but Jesus will indeed return and we’re to be ready.

Peter refutes the false teachers with:

1.   Looking back at the of God’s Word (vv. 1-4)

A.     Anticipation based on God’s Word (vv. 1, 2)

The way to think rightly about the world is to allow the Word of God to .

Matthew 24

1 Thessalonians 5

2 Thessalonians 1 and 2

Revelation 6-19

Peter puts the teachings of apostles on par with the Old Testament prophets . . .

in and in .

“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” Joshua 1:8

“O Lord, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you. Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.  Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.” Psalm 5:3

“Know, therefore, that you must be concerned not only about hearing, but also about learning and retaining it in memory, and do not think that it is optional with you or of no great importance, but that it is God’s commandment, who will require of you how you have heard, learned, and honored His Word.”

-Martin Luther

B.     Unmasking the of the false teachers (vv. 3, 4)

·      Ridicule

A scoffer is someone who treats lightly what should be taken .

·     

“. . . each of us will give a personal account to God.”  Romans 14:12

“Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.”                                                                              1 Corinthians 3:12-15

Those who truly hope in His return have an for holy living.

“Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. 3 And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.”                                                      1 John 3:2, 3

·      Basing how God will work in the future only on what they’ve observed

The lesson is to of the skeptics.

2.   The of God’s Work in History (vv. 5-7)

A.   The creation and the flood (vv. 5, 6)

Genesis 6:5-7

Romans 8:18-22

In the end, !

B.  The day of judgment (v. 7)

What we DON’T DO:

DON’T quit work and

DON’T move to the highest mountain to be the first to see Jesus.  And we

DON’T try and set a date for his return.

What we DO:

DO live your life every day for the glory of God – as if it’s your last day.

DO work diligently at your job and with your children as if He isn’t coming for another ten years.

DO shake salt out of your life and shine your light every chance you get.

DO remain cheerful and winsome and steady in your walk with Jesus.

DO expect Him to return any day.

DO keep being committed to reaching the world for Christ.

Do continue to be hopeful and don’t be fazed by hardened skeptics.

Daily Meditations

Memory verse: “I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.”                                          2 Peter 3:2

Monday

Read 2 Peter 3:1-7.  According to 3:1, why did Peter write this letter as well as his first letter?

What stimulates you to wholesome thinking?

Tuesday

Read 2 Peter 3:1-7.  What did Peter want these believers (his audience) to recall?  See 3:2.

What discourages you from engaging in wholesome thinking?

Wednesday

Read 2 Peter 3:1-7.  What did Peter say would occur in the last days (in 3:3)?

Have you had an encounter with someone who you’d say was a scoffer?

Thursday

Read 2 Peter 3:1-7.  In 3:4, what will the “scoffers” say in the last days?

About what biblical truths have you heard people scoff, and why were they scoffing?

Friday

Read 2 Peter 3:1-7.  What will the “scoffers” deliberately forget according to 3:5?

What is the best proof you know that the Bible really is the Word of God?  (If you don’t know one, look one up on-line.)

Saturday

Read 2 Peter 3:1-7.  How was the world once destroyed and how will it be destroyed in the future? (See 3:6, 7)

What are you most looking forward to about Heaven?