January 31, 2023

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

Are we to believe that God has placed it within our power to hasten the return of Jesus? Indeed we are! Let us be mindful of prophetic details that parallel each other. Just before Jesus departed from the temple for the last time, He compared Himself to a hen who gathers her chicks under her wings. Due of the unwillingness of His professed people to gather around Him, He said, “See! Your house is left to you desolate” (Matthew 23:38). His disciples then asked for the sign of His coming and the end of the age (v.24:3)

In His lengthy answer, Jesus cited events that are happening all over the world today. Then He said, “All these are the beginning of sorrows.” (v.8)

The beginning of sorrows? Things are pretty terrible, but at this point the winds of strife are still being held back. There are four cycles in the book of Revelation that lead up to the return of Jesus to claim His people: seven letters, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven bowls. Toward the end of John’s vision of the seals, he saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. (Revelation 7:1-2a)

The next set of descriptions that Jesus gives in His answer to the disciples’ question becomes more intense (see Matthew 24:9-12). The root cause of this accelerating chaos is cited: a lack of love in the world. Here Jesus poignantly ties the lack of love to lawlessness.

“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” Matthew 24:12

Our Savior is not speaking of manmade laws, but of His own divine law, given in love. His law is a transcript of His character of pure love. To become a law-abiding citizen in His eternal kingdom is the fruit—the result—of a willingness to be gathered under His wings! The seal of the living God is the power of the Holy Spirit living in us. It is a divine gift to willing hearts. It is the secret of endurance . . .

“But he who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:13

He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. Psalm 91:4

(to be continued tomorrow)