Tag: none to perish
Patience for repentance!
Scripture reading for November 18th: 2nd Peter 3, Psalm 87-88, Proverbs 14
Key Scriptures: 2nd Peter 3:8-10 “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 toward 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.”
As the Apostle Peter concludes his last letter before being martyred, he pointed the church to God’s long-suffering and mercy. Although it seemed that the Lord was slow concerning His promise of returning, God was really being patient with all men, not wanting any to perish. They should call on the Lord while His patience remained (repentance), because a day was coming when there would be His sudden return. To the unrepentant, it would be like a thief and would bring great destruction on the heaven and earth and eternal loss for them.
Faith Confession: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your mercy and great patience towards sinners, of which I have benefited. Use me today to share the good news of Your patience and desire to save those who are perishing, headed for eternal death.
Proverbs 14:11-12 “The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”
The Hour of Judgment Arrives!
Scripture reading for December 18th: Jonah 4, Micah 1-3, Revelation 14
Key Scriptures: Revelation 14:6-7 “Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come, and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.””
God would rather forgive than judge mankind for their sins. During the final great tribulation, God sends an angel to proclaim the eternal Gospel to all who still dwell on the earth. This Gospel commands all men from every tribe and nation and language group to fear God and worship Him as creator. This angel also announced that the hour of judgment had arrived. All would stand before the Creator and answer for their deeds and failure to heed the Gospel.
Jonah 4:11 “And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?”
Micah 1:2-3 “”Hear, you peoples, all of you; pay attention, O earth, and all that is in it, and let the Lord God be a witness against you, the Lord from His holy temple. For behold, the Lord is coming out of His place, and will come down and tread on the high places of earth.””
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your great care for those on earth and Your warnings to all the earth of the coming judgment. Thank You for even caring for the cattle! Amen!
God’s Patience!
Scripture reading for December 19th: 2nd Peter 1-3
In the last days, people will mock and scoff at God, accusing Him of not being there at all. “God is dead” was popular some time back among the scoffers in America. Others claim to be agnostics, not sure if there is a God at all and skeptical that man can even know Him. Others, having the desire to completely eliminate God from their thinking, ignore history and the Bible and degrade anyone who would believe in the Creator and the prophetic warnings of coming judgment on those who refuse to believe.
“But 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. The 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.” (2nd Peter 3:8-9) God’s not hung up on time like we humans are. He has always been and will always be. Time for Him is not limited, but limitless! God is not slow in keeping His promise to come back for us, but He is patient with all mankind. He wants all to have opportunity to be saved. He knows that all who fail to repent will perish in the Lake of Fire. (Revelation 20:14-15)
God has great patience, even with those who are mocking Him and scoffing at His word. He is working out His plans, which are established forever. He has told mankind of His plans through the prophets of Old Testament time and in these last days through His own Son, Jesus Christ. We can trust the word of God and should be living as if what God has said will come to pass!
“But 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. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people out you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.” (2nd Peter 3:10-12) God’s patience will eventually give way to fulfillment of His promises. Will you be found ready and living for Him or among the scoffers?