From Now Through Eternity - 2 Peter 3:8-9

Introduction

“But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day The Lord is not slack concerning His promises, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

When was the last time you thought about eternity? I was privileged to have a conversation with the chaplain from Dekalb County this week and as we rode to a memorial service the subject of eternity came up. He said, “David, I don’t think people think about eternity enough – if they did it would change the way they live in the present.”

Note - Billy Sunday the evangelist said, “Imagine a little bird taking a grain of sand and flying to a distant planet. It would take him a million years to fly to that distant planet. Then he would drop that grain of sand. Then the little bird would fly back to the earth taking him a million years. He gets another grain of sand and flies back to the distant planet. Back and forth, back and forth it goes. When he will have transplanted every speck of earth to that distant planet, it will only be breakfast time in eternity.”

Note - One reason we ought to focus more of our thoughts on the Lord’s return and plan throughout history is that it will fill us with fresh motivation to live in such a way that honors and points others to Him.

1. Jesus’ First Coming

Note - Around 2000 years ago, the Lord Jesus Christ came to this earth for the FIRST time. He lived a sinless life, died on the cross of Calvary, rose again by the power of God, and promised us that He would come again:

Acts 1:8-12 - But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

2. The Present Waiting

It has been approx. 2000 years since the 1st Coming of Christ and Christians have been persecuted and ridiculed for believing that Christ will one day come again.

II Peter 3:3-9 – “…3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Note - v.8b, “Peter is saying, “A promise by God made by God 1000 years ago, or 2000 years ago…it is as good as if he made it just yesterday. It may be a while before it happens, but make no mistake – IT WILL HAPPEN!!!” Today, we LOOK AHEAD to that coming:

I Corinthians 11:26 - For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

3. The Rapture of the Church

Note – This is the next event on God’s calendar and it’s not to set up His literal, physical kingdom on earth, but the Lord Jesus Christ taking His church to be with Himself forever – ALL followers of Christ.

Note – The Rapture of the church is a different event than the Second Coming of Christ

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, “ 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

4. The Tribulation Period

Note – A 7 year period after the Rapture of the church. This will be the worst period of time there has ever been on the earth before.

Note - There will be two distinct periods of time. The 1st 3 ½ years will be relatively peaceful while the Antichrist sets up his domination. The 2nd 3 ½ years will be a time of persecution for all believers under the new world leader, the Antichrist turns against Israel and exalts himself to be worshipped.

Matthew 24:15-21 - “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.”

5. The Judgment Seat of Christ

2 Corinthians 5:10 - "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."

Note – Not to determine heaven or hell – that is decided by your acceptance or rejection of Jesus as personal Lord and Savior. This is a time when the Lord Jesus Christ rewards His followers for faithful service.

Note - In the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, Ben Johnson of Canada won the one-hundred-meter dash, setting a new Olympic record and a new world record. Our American contender, Carl Lewis, came in second, and most were shocked that he hadn’t won the gold. After the race, the judges learned that Johnson had had an illegal substance in his body. He ran the race illegally, so the judges took away his medal. Though he ran faster and made an unforgettable impression, he did not deserve the reward…God is the final judge! He searches our hearts; He alone knows our motivation. And He will be the One to say, “This deserves a reward. Ah, but that does not.” —Charles R. Swindoll, Hope Again, (Word, 1996), p. 34.

6. The Second Coming of Christ

Note – after the Tribulation and in the midst of the most massive war and military prowess on earth – the Lord Jesus Christ returns in all power, authority, and glory.

Revelation 19:11-16 – “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Note - THIS TIME, to take the world OVER & establish His Kingdom upon the earth! Jesus returns & destroys the enemies of the believers & establishes a literal, physical, Earthly Kingdom upon the earth.

7. The Millennial Kingdom – 1000 Year Reign of Jesus Christ

Revelation 20:4-7 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

Note – War will be wiped out, harmony will be the hallmark, Disease will disappear, the lion will lay down with the lamb, the harvest will be happy!

8. Great White Throne Judgment

Revelation 20:11a & 20:15, “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it…15 “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”

Note – No matter what man may say, there is a literal hell for those who refuse salvation freely through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Note – Jesus can either be your Savior or Sentencer

Note – This is one reason our church must build a stronger evangelistic focus. We should have an urgency to share the gospel with lost family, friends, nations, for today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).

9. Forever Eternity with God

Revelation 21:1-5, “1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

Romans 8:38-39 - “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Conclusion: How can you and I respond in a God pleasing way? (1) Receive Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior and turn away from all known sin (2) Have confidence and peace in the Lord - no matter what happens - God is in ultimate control (3) Set your hearts daily on Christ (Colossians 3:1-4) (4) Walk like a champion in Christ!

(Some sermon material courtesy Dr. Jonathan Faldwell)