This week in our House to House group’s discussion, 2 Peter 3:9 was brought up:
The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (ESV)
I have to admit that this verse bothers me a bit. Maybe it’s my accountant brain, but statistically this statement doesn’t make sense. The world population is expected to increase about 35% by 2050; however, the population growth of Muslims is so much faster that their total numbers will nearly equal the number of Christians by that time. So, even though there will be more people “reaching repentance,” there will be even more who are lost.
Another difficulty I have with the verse is that it makes God sound a little wishy-washy, as if He’s trying to decide exactly when to put an end to things but is hoping to get a few more converts first. Obviously that doesn’t square with the rest of Scripture, and the problem is our English translation. The Greek word translated wishing actually has the connotation “to will deliberately, have a purpose, be minded” (Strongs 1014). It is not merely wishing for something to happen, but working out the purposes already determined.
This verse from 2 Peter can’t be taken out of the greater context of Scripture. In speaking of the last days, Jesus said, “For then there will be great tribulation … And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short” (Matthew 24:21-22). By His mercy, God will not let the fallen creation drag on indefinitely. There is a day of judgment that has already been determined by God, and none of us know when that day will be. He will bring everything to an end in His perfect timing.
Recently, I was looking at a church website for some other denomination (I’ve forgotten what it was) that implied that they had historically had a strong emphasis on the Second Coming of Christ but had found that to be an inadequate message to motivate believers. I can certainly see how this can happen. If Christ is returning this week, why bother with developing leaders or creating denominational structures? (And as a fifth generation Advent Christian, I can say that William Miller and his early followers made some significant mistakes!) But the fact is that Jesus’ soon return, whether it’s next week or next millennium, should be motivation to do whatever is necessary to bring as many people to Christ as possible in the time allowed.
God has been graciously waiting until His purposes are fulfilled, but each passing day brings us closer to the end of time. Are our goals aligned with His purposes? Are we living in accordance with those purposes?
“But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar … Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the Day of God …” (2 Peter 3:10-12)
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© 2017 Dawn Rutan. The views stated may or may not reflect the beliefs of the pastor or leadership of Dulin’s Grove Church.
