“Waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!” – 2 Peter 3:12
As followers of Jesus, we should be both patiently and eagerly anticipating the day of the Lord. Jesus will return and all of creation will be renewed. The corruption, sin, and evil of this world will be burned away like the impurities in metals and the earth will be renewed. We will enjoy unhindered fellowship with God as His visible presence dwells among us. There will be no pain, no suffering, no mourning, no sin, and no curse upon anything.
If Jesus is your Lord, He doesn’t want you to fear that day but to look forward to it. He doesn’t want you hiding in terror from this future but living for it. He calls us to imitate Him, loving God and neighbor like Him until that day dawns. But we’re also invited to hasten that day. To hurry it along. Did you realize that you have that ability? That responsibility? You do!!!
It’s something to really marvel at… you can help speed the coming of the Lord’s return! How? The surrounding verses make it clear. Ordinary Christians hasten the day of Jesus’ return by sharing the gospel with other people. As we give people from every tribe, ethnic group, and nation the opportunity to hear the good news of Jesus Christ and respond in faith, we accelerate the return of Jesus. If every Christian and every church took this responsibility seriously, think how much sooner Jesus would return and evil would depart forever!
What can you do to introduce others to Jesus? What can you do to learn about and pray for missionaries and evangelists in the world? To fund the work of those taking the gospel to the most remote parts of the earth? To encourage and welcome those who return? To meet people from difficult to reach groups when they move into your neighborhood? Understand that what you do in obedience of Christ’s command to make disciples helps speed His glorious return! #FollowJesus