2nd Peter 3: 1-8 Where Is The Promise Of His Coming?

2nd Peter 3: 1-8 WHERE IS THE PROMISE OF HIS COMING? 2-23-13

Today I want to talk for a few minutes on "the promise of His coming".

We're told in our text today that the skeptics would be asking that question, and we're reminded that this would be in the last days, so this is one way that you and I can know that we're nearing the time of His return to earth.

* Listen as I read our text found in 2nd Peter 3:1-8

1This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

2That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

3Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,* (desires)

4And 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. "

5For this they willingly are ignorant of, (they've not considered this) that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: (they've not considered this)

7But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the Day of Judgment and perdition * (destruction) of ungodly men.

8But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

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Let me remind us that God don't look at time the same as we do, to you and me, it's been over 2000 years since Jesus went back to heaven, but to God it's only been a couple of days.

>> one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. <<

We that are saved believe that His coming is imminent; that is, just any time, He's coming back at the set time on Gods prophetic calendar.

Listen; If He should come back right now there would be no longer any hope for the lost to be saved if they had ever heard the truth about Him before, I believe that He'll come back for His Church when it is complete, God has a number in His mind that will make up the Lord's Church and when that number is met then I believe that's when the rapture will take place, then after 7 years of tribulation He'll return to the earth with His Bride, the Church.

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When talking about the Lords coming, have you ever heard someone say something like, "I've heard that all my life?"

„« James said that our life is as short as a vapor.

>James 4:14 For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

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When we hear the scoffers make a remark like that it's a sure sign that we're living in the last days according to what Peter says in our text.

Verses 3 and 4 of our text speak of something we are to know and be sure about; something that relates particularly to the last days, the closing days of the Dispensation of Grace, just before the Lord Jesus returns.

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* Listen as I read verse 3 and 4 once again.

3Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,* (desires)

4And saying, "Where is the promise of his coming?"

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* All through the O.T. we find the PROMISE OF HIS COMING.

Listen, there are 39 books in the O.T., they are ~~

The 5 books of Moses, called the Pentateuch, Genesis to Deuteronomy; ~ then 12 historical books, Joshua to Esther; ~~ then 6 books of poetry, Job to Song of Solomon, ~~ then the 17 books of the prophets, Isaiah to Malachi, as we include Lamentations written by Jeremiah ~~

* And each and every word in the O.T. as well as the N.T. was given by inspiration of God.

> 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: --

> 2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

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* Remember we're talking about "the promise of His coming" today.

We find the 1st promise of His coming in;