GOD'S TIME…WAIT, and MEANWHILE

Reading: 2 Peter 3:8-14

TIME

Time is a strange and fascinating thing, isn’t it? It incorporates past, present, and future in a continuing progression, where, in a nano-second, this present moment becomes the past and the future is now the present. We can only speak of time in these three terms, as seen in a few quotes about time:

• ·         “Time and tide wait for no man.” (St Marher, 1225)
• ·         “Study the past of you would define the future.” (Confucius)
• ·         “Yesterday is gone, tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” (Mother Theresa)

This concept of time is all we humans have to work with – but God is not limited by earthly definitions. His day could be 1000 years, or more or less. So when Jesus promises to return some day, He is speaking in heavenly terms, while we are restricted to our human reason regarding day and time.

We believe His promise as expressed in this gospel chorus:

            Coming again, coming again,

            Maybe morning, maybe noon,

            Maybe evening, maybe soon.

            Coming again, coming again.

            Oh, what a wonderful day that will be,

            Jesus is coming again! *

WAIT

Yet we are left waiting for the Day – not knowing what hour, day, week, month, year, century it may be…and most often not very patiently! We say, “Come, Lord Jesus, deliver me from...” Or, “The world has become so evil, why don’t you come back now?” We think He is taking His good old time to keep His promise. But, the Lord is not slow – He is patient. He desires that all have opportunity to repent (vs 9). He will come at precisely the right time – just as He did the first time.

"But, when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman,

born under the Law, in order that He might redeem those who were under

the Law…" (Galatians 4:4-5)

MEANWHILE

So we continue to wait, but, in the meanwhile, how shall we wait?

• ·         Looking up into the heavens, hoping to be the first to see Him descending?
• ·         Listening to men’s predictions and gathering on a hillside awaiting His return?
• ·         Or perhaps following Peter’s advice for a more active, productive waiting strategy?

Here is what Peter has to say regarding waiting for the Day of the Lord (in vs 11-14):

• ·         Grow in the qualities of goodness and holy character
• ·         Dwell in expectant hope of His coming
• ·         Be at peace with God and others
• ·         Live in obedience

So I can be encouraged that God’s timing is perfect regarding Christ’s return, and that in the meantime, I have plenty to do to help further His kingdom during God’s “patient time.”

*by John W Peterson, 1957

Stay Focused and Carry On

Deadlines are a source of stress. Not too many people like them.

 

However, deadlines serve a useful purpose. As they approach, we tend to get things done. Deadlines give us a sense of urgency.

 

Today’s reading is Matthew 24:29-35.

 

Jesus gave his church, that is, us, a job and a deadline. We are to proclaim the Gospel, care for people and worship our Lord until he comes again. Jesus hints when that might be, but the exact time is not given to us.

 

The deadline has many names: The Day of the Lord and Judgment Day, among others.

 

Judgment Day sounds so final and even scary, yet it will be a day of great joy for Christians. It is the start of eternity in a perfect place with perfect people orchestrated by a perfect God!

 

We humans are a curious lot and want to know when Judgment Day is. Some, unfortunately perhaps, spend too much time thinking about it instead of working on their assignment.

 

Jesus gives us hints. Judgment Day will come while there is war and rumors of war,  famines and earthquakes in various places and many false prophets will appear. Christians will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death.

 

Let’s see … there has been war or rumors of war for over 2000 years some place in this world. Famines are virtually an annual occurrence somewhere and just last month there was another significant earthquake in the world. There have been numerous false prophets in my lifetime and Christians are being martyred almost daily in several parts of the world.

 

Judgment Day must be coming soon.

 

Well, yeah, … but Jesus also tells us, on Judgment Day, “the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky.”  That is, we will know Judgment Day is here because we will see Jesus. That is not much to go by if you are trying to make a prediction.

 

Apparently, trying to predict Judgment Day, our deadline, is a fool’s game. Perhaps the hints are simply reminders that Judgment Day is coming.

 

Perhaps we should rather feel a sense of urgency to get our job done.

 

So, stay focused and carry on!