February 1, 2023

. . . looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God . . . 2 Peter 3:12  (part 2)

The “how to” of hastening the return of Christ is tied directly to a personal relationship with Him. The more I get to know Him, the more my love for Him grows, and the more I will want others to know Him. The signs of His coming in the words of Jesus to His disciples (recorded by Matthew in chapter 24) culminate in the most important sign by far:

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14

A parallel verse in Revelation speaks of having “the everlasting gospel to preach . . . to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people—” (Revelation 14:6).

The everlasting gospel is the gospel message that has never changed. Paul points out that corruptive influences among those who preach would twist and complicate the pure and simple gospel message:

But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it! 2 Corinthians 11:3-4

But those who do not put up with it are described below. This is the way every loving follower of the Lamb wants to be characterized:

These are the ones who were not defiled with women [false churches], for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes . . . redeemed from among men . . . and in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God. Revelation 14:4-5

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen. Jude 24-25