Peter the apostle has
concerned his writings with the scoffers who would arise during the
last days in this third chapter of the book called Second Peter, and
he has been giving characteristics which help to identify them. They
scoff at the idea that Jesus will return; they bring doubts upon the
creation of God, and they question the validity of the flood during
the days of Noah. In chapter three and verse seven, Peter shares
about the fate of the world in which we live. He wrote:
But the heavens and the
earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved
unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
The
verse begins, “But the heavens and the earth, which are
now, by the same word are kept in store...”
After reminding his readers of the world that was destroyed by a
flood, the apostle Peter directs his attention to “the
heavens and the earth” which
now exist. He says they are “kept in store”
or “gathered, laid up, or heaped up” like when one accumulates
riches. According to “the same word” they
are “reserved” for
a special purpose. In other words the now existing “heaven
and the earth” are held in a
delayed state for the purpose of which the Creator God has in mind.
The
verse goes on to say, “reserved unto fire against the day of
judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” Peter adds to what
purpose “the heaven and the earth” that now exist are
“reserved” - “unto fire against the day of judgment
and perdition of ungodly men.” Noah was promised by God in the
book of Genesis chapter eight and verse twenty-one:
- will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
The
next venue of destruction for the earth will be “unto
fire”, and this fire will be
against those who are “ungodly men”
or those who are “destitute of reverential awe towards God,
condemning God, impious” in the world. Peter says this will be “the
day of judgment and perdition”
which is the “sentence of condemnation, damnatory judgment,
condemnation and punishment” and “a
perishing, ruin, destruction or utter destruction” of those who are
of this persuasion. Jesus said in the gospel of Luke in chapter
seventeen and verse twenty-six:
And as it was in the
days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
Peter
desires that there be no doubt. The world in which we live will be as
it was in the days of Noah but will be held in reserve for a fiery
judgment for those who are against God and His Christ – Jesus.
The
words of Peter are ominous and grim when we think about them. We know
the Bible tells us that God desires “that none should perish,
and that all should come to repentance”, and yet, some will. As
they doubted in the days of Noah, so they doubt today. Though God
will at any time reach His loving, extended hand to anyone who will
come unto Him through Jesus Christ, many will refuse. As we ponder
this great judgment, let us be mindful of those who do not know Jesus
Christ as Savior and Lord, and may the Lord fill us with such a love
for them that we will tell them of this pending judgment in hopes
that they will turn from their ungodly ways and into the arms of our
Savior Jesus.
Next
time we will discover how God keeps time, so read ahead, and we shall
join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ;
www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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