Pursuit Of His Presence Day 95

2 Peter 3:1-14 

1 BELOVED, I am now writing you this second letter. In [both of] them I have stirred up your unsullied (sincere) mind by way of remembrance,

2 That you should recall the predictions of the holy (consecrated, dedicated) prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior [given] through your apostles (His special messengers).

3 To begin with, you must know and understand this, that scoffers (mockers) will come in the last days with scoffing, [people who] walk after their own fleshly desires

4 And say, Where is the promise of His coming? For since the forefathers fell asleep, all things have continued exactly as they did from the beginning of creation.

5 For they willfully overlook and forget this [fact], that the heavens [came into] existence long ago by the word of God, and the earth also which was formed out of water and by means of water,

6 Through which the world that then [existed] was deluged with water and perished. [Gen. 1:6-8; 7:11.]

7 But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been stored up (reserved) for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly people.

8 Nevertheless, do not let this one fact escape you, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. [Ps. 90:4.]

9 The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people's conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will vanish (pass away) with a thunderous crash, and the [material] elements [of the universe] will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up.

11 Since all these things are thus in the process of being dissolved, what kind of person ought [each of] you to be [in the meanwhile] in consecrated and holy behavior and devout and godly qualities,

12 While you wait and earnestly long for (expect and hasten) the coming of the day of God by reason of which the flaming heavens will be dissolved, and the [material] elements [of the universe] will flare and melt with fire? [Isa. 34:4.]

13 But we look for new heavens and a new earth according to His promise, in which righteousness (uprightness, freedom from sin, and right standing with God) is to abide. [Isa. 65:17; 66:22.]

14 So, beloved, since you are expecting these things, be eager to be found by Him [at His coming] without spot or blemish and at peace [in serene confidence, free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts].

 

 

Devotional

Sooner Than We Think

by Gloria Copeland

“Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” Matthew 24:36
Some time back, the Spirit of the Lord spoke to Ken and said, I am coming sooner than you think.
“But, Lord,” Ken exclaimed, “I think You are coming soon!”
Well, I am coming sooner than you think! He answered.
There are many people on the earth today who don’t believe that. Just as the scripture prophesies, they scoff: “Walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” (2 Peter 3:3-4).
But those people are mistaken. Jesus is coming back. There’s a day and an hour appointed for His return. We know that’s true because Jesus spoke of it in Matthew 24:36. At that appointed time, He will catch away those of us who are prepared for His coming and take us to heaven with Him to celebrate for seven years. Then He’ll bring us back with Him when He comes to reign over the earth.
My, what a day that will be!
It’s coming. There’s no doubt about it. The only question is, Will you be ready?
If you’re not ready, the thought of the Lord’s return may not excite you like it does me. It may even fill you with dread and anxiety. If so, you need to make some changes.
First, you need to be born again by making Jesus the Lord of your life. Then you need to focus your attention and your affection on the things of God instead of the things of this world (Colossians 3:2).
After all, this world is not our home. It’s not our final destination. We’re just sojourning here, looking forward to the time when we’re in the glory and at home with the Lord. We need to constantly remember that, so we don’t get entangled in this world’s affairs. We need to constantly look toward heaven so when the time comes to depart, we’ll be ready.
So get your thinking right. Set your heart on things that are above. Look forward to His coming. Look forward to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. It really will happen, sooner than we think!
Speak the Word
“I will be ready when Jesus comes. Therefore, I set my affection on things above, not on things of the earth.” —Colossians 3:2
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