One Day as a Thousand 2 Peter 3:8

As the apostle Peter was describing the characteristics of the “scoffers” who would be around during the last days, he mentioned the creation of the earth, the flood during Noah's days on the earth, and the preservation of the earth that exists now for judgment. In chapter three and verse eight, Peter desires that his readers know how God keeps time. He wrote:

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

This verse begins, “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, Once again Peter employs the word “but” to begin this verse, and we know by now that it means that what is about to be stated takes precedence over what was previously stated. Peter wrote that the world is “reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”, and now he says “But”...and adds, the word “beloved” which means “esteemed, dear, favorite, worthy of love” to his addressees. Peter loved those to whom he is writing, and he did not want them to be “ignorant” or “to be hidden, to be hidden from one, secretly, unawares, without knowing” about “one thing”. Though he has shared many things with them, this “one thing” is very important.

The verse goes on to say, “...that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” Peter basically shares that God does not keep time like we do. We say, “Oh, a day has gone by” very casually and nonchalantly and “the Lord” does the same with “a thousand years”. God is outside of the time continuum, and when a thousand years seems so long for us, for Him it is like a blip on a screen. The Psalmist wrote in Psalm ninety and verse four:

For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.

Peter desires that his audience know that just because it seems that the earth continues in its present state the Lord has His timing for its judgment. Delay from our standpoint may seem significantly afar off, but for the Lord it is only a day or two away.

Time as we know it is relative to our Earth. We say basically that twenty-four hours make up a day, seven days make a week, and fifty-two weeks make a year. However, if we lived upon another planet, our days might be longer or shorter in time, and the same is true with our years. It was God who decided our time as it is known, and He exists outside of time. Though it may appear at times that He has delayed in His response and reaction, He knows exactly when all things shall come to pass. As we ponder this verse, let us be reminded of this vast God in whom we serve, and let us continue to be reminded that just because there seems to be a lingering wait does not mean that He is not attentive and uncaring. He loves us, and through His Son Jesus Christ He has given us access to the greatest time keeper the world shall ever know.

Next time we will see how God keeps his promises, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

 

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

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