Articles

Hastening the Day

Created: Sunday, 11 October 2020 13:35

Today's Bible Passage

2 PETER 3:11-14

Meditation

There is in this Scripture another great concept. Peter speaks of the Christian as not only eagerly awaiting the Coming of Jesus but as actually hastening it on. The New Testament tells us certain ways in which this may be done.

(1^st) It may be done by prayer. Jesus taught us to pray: “Thy Kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10). The earnest prayer of the Christian heart hastens the coming of the King. If in no other way, it does so in this—that he who prays opens his own heart for the entry of the King.

(2^nd) It may be done by preaching. Matthew tells us that Jesus said, “And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, as a testimony to all nations; and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). All people must be given the chance to know and to love Jesus before the end of creation is reached. The missionary activity of the Church is hastening the coming of the King.

(3^rd) It may be done by penitence and obedience. Of all things, this would be the nearest to Peter’s mind and heart.

The Rabbis had two sayings:

“It is the sins of the people that prevent the coming of the Messiah.

If the Jews would genuinely repent for one day, the Messiah would come.” In true penitence and real obedience, a person opens his heart to the coming of the King and brings nearer that coming throughout the world.

Life Application

We do well to remember that our coldness of heart and our disobedience delay the coming of the King. So, if we change and have a warm/hot heart and be obedient, the King will come sooner.

Praise and Prayer

“My dear Lord and King, if I have not been faithful in prayer, penitence, and obedience, please forgive me. Jesus, I long for You to come because I also want to go to Heaven and be with God, You, the Holy Spirit, and all the people that precede me. Amen!”