17^th November

“Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.””

2 Peter 3:3-4

“THE END TIMES ARE NEAR”, is the cry often preached many Street Evangelists, trying to persuade passers-by to put their trust in Jesus’ salvation and avoid eternal damnation. Now although they are true in some sense, that people need saving from their sins, perhaps their approach could be deemed too aggressive by some. Yet whatever your opinion may be on their methods, or the words they choose, their message is actually a topic that was much discussed in Peter’s day and age too.

When is Jesus coming back as He promised? Is it this year? Is it when Jerusalem becomes a nation again? Is it when a no-body becomes President of America? Is it when Europe becomes a stronger power in the world? No-one could argue that it feels like the last days, right? Yet what is interesting is that people in Peter’s time, also thought they were living through the last days as well. Even some of the Apostles and writers of the New Testament alluded to them living in the ‘last hours’ or ‘last days’. So what is our response as Believers in Jesus? Do we try to shut-up the doubters of Jesus’ imminent return or try to scare the non-believers into the Kingdom?

Our approach should be as Peter encouraged in his letters, ‘while you (we) are waiting for these things to happen (the end times), make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in His sight’ (verse 14). We must be patient for the Lord’s return, because God works in His time not ours. Moreover, as Peter says, the Lord ‘is being patient for your (people’s) sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent’ (verse 9b) . . . . . ‘And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved’ (verse 15a).

Our role is to get our lives right before Christ and pray for others, that they may too know Jesus, the Saviour of the world, if He comes back tomorrow or in a thousand years!!