Living in the Shadow of Promise

Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. 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.

First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

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.

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 ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. (2 Pe 3:1-13 NIV) [1]

I.       Introduction:

II.    The Message of Promise: The Witness to the Word of God

A.      The Repeated Reminder of God’s Word

B.      The Rousing Purpose of God’s Word

C.      The Reliable Delivery of God’s Word

III. The Mockers of Truth: The Warning of Challenges to God

A.      The Certainty of Mockery

B.      The Motivation of Mockery

C.      The Expression of Mockery

1.       Lacking Patience

2.       Lacking Expectancy

3.       Lacking Knowledge

a)       Ignoring the Reality of Creation by God’s Word

b)       Ignoring the Record of Past Judgment by God’s Word

c)       Ignoring the Certainty of Future Judgment by God’s Word

IV. The Marking of Time: The Wait for the Promises of God

A.      Wait with Patience: Recognize God’s Measure of Time

B.      Wait with Assurance: Remember God’s Purpose through Time

1.       The promise of God is Being Fulfilled

2.       The Patience of God is Being Exercised

C.      Wait with Certainty: Realize God’s Conclusion of Time

V.    The Manner of Existence: The Wisdom of Faithfulness to God

A.      Living in Readiness: In any moment

B.      Living in Holiness: In This Life

C.      Living in Excitement:  In Constant Suspense

D.      Living in Anticipation: In Haste for the Day

E.      Living In Expectation: In Hope of the Promise

VI. Conclusion:

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[1] The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984.