Jesus is Returning
- Bishop Keith Butler
- Oct 12, 2024
- 2 min read
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. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But 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 of ungodly men. (2 Peter 3:4-7)
Skeptics often point out that believers have been talking about Jesus' return for 2000 years and have yet to see it happen. Peter wrote to these skeptics that the same Word of God that created the heavens and the earth and brought the flood in the days of Noah is the same Word of God that has promised a day of judgment.
Peter continued to explain that the world's lack of turning to Christ isn't due to a lack of information or displays of power but from willful ignorance. People choose to ignore the historical evidence of God's power. Some even try to rewrite history to dispel the evidence of God showing us who He is and how He works. This deliberate ignorance, Peter explained, will blind some to the truth and make them unprepared for what is to come.
For the willfully ignorant who do not accept Jesus before He comes, there is a judgment throne and a lake of fire. The lake of fire is not for the believer but for the purposefully ignorant and rebellious unbeliever.
For believers, when we see God, it will not be judgment but His great love and mercy that comes our way. God promises to treat us as though we have never sinned because of Christ's sacrifice. Believers will be rewarded for what they’ve done at the judgment seat of Christ, which is very different from the White Throne judgment, where evil will be judged.
Practical Application
Are you living in a way that shows that you believe in Christ’s soon return? Many around us are ignorant of God’s truth. As believers, we are responsible for sharing the message of salvation with them. Ask the Holy Spirit who He wants you to share the Gospel with today.
