Scripture Reading(s)
2 Peter 3:8-15
3:8 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.
3:9 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.
3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.
3:11 Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness,
3:12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire?
3:13 But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.
3:14 Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish;
3:15a and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him.
Reflections
As Christians we believe that Jesus was the messiah that fulfilled the OT prophecies yet He will come again. When He returns He will complete the other OT prophecies which deal with the “day of the Lord”. We must recognize that many OT messianic prophecies included the day of the Lord end of times. This is why many did not believe Jesus was the messiah. But Jesus and His disciples (including apostle Paul) knew that Jesus would finish the rest of the prophecies when He returned. When that times comes it will be much different than the first coming of the Lord.
This Christmas season we celebrate the first coming of the messiah and we eagerly await when He will return again. As we await the return of the Lord we must do as Peter instructs and,
Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish (2 Peter 3:14)
What better season that the Christmas season to reset our focus and our minds on striving to live in peace with others and love our neighbors as Jesus would. Let us remember this Christmas that we should be loving and generous as a life style, not just a few weeks around a holiday.