This
week in our House to House group’s sermon discussion 2 Peter 3:9 was brought
up, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is
patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should
reach repentance” (ESV). I have to admit that this verse bothers me a bit.
Maybe it’s my accountant brain, but statistically this statement doesn’t make
sense. The world population is expected in increase by an estimated 35% by
2050; however, the population growth of Muslims is so much faster that their
total numbers will nearly equal the number of Christians by that time. (See
Wikipedia article.) So even
though there will be more people “reaching repentance,” there will be even more
who are lost.
Another
difficulty I have with the verse is that it makes God sound a little
wishy-washy, as if He’s trying to decide exactly when to put an end to things
but is hoping to get a few more converts first. Obviously that doesn’t square
with the rest of Scripture and the problem is our English translation. The
Greek word translated wishing
actually has the connotation “to will deliberately, have a purpose, be minded”
(Strongs 1014). It is not
merely wishing for something to happen, but working out the purposes already
determined.
This
verse from 2 Peter can’t be taken out of the greater context of Scripture. In
speaking of the last days, Jesus said, “For then there will be great
tribulation… And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be
saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short” (Matthew
24:21-22). By His mercy God will not let the fallen creation drag on
indefinitely. There is a day of judgment that has already been determined by
God, and none of us know when that day will be. He will bring everything to an
end in His perfect timing.
Recently
I was looking at a church website for some other denomination (I’ve forgotten
what it was) that implied that they had historically had a strong emphasis on
the Second Coming of Christ but had found that to be an inadequate message to
motivate believers. I can certainly see how this can happen. If Christ is
returning this week, then why bother with developing leaders or creating
denominational structures? (And as a fifth generation Advent Christian, I can
say that William Miller and his early followers made some significant
mistakes!) But the fact is that Jesus’ soon return, whether it’s next week or
next millennium, should be motivation to do whatever is necessary to bring as
many people to Christ as possible in the time allowed.
God
has been graciously waiting until His purposes are fulfilled, but each passing
day brings us closer to the end of time. Are our goals aligned with His
purposes? Are we living in accordance with those purposes?
“But the Day of the
Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar…
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…” (2 Peter 3:10-12).
© 2017 Dawn
Rutan. Unless otherwise indicated all images are copyright free from
pixabay.com.
