11. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 14. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
People do not expect thieves when they come to rob. During the Holidays a movie often shown is "Home Alone". Remember the story of a boy left accidently by himself while his family flew to France? Some robbers were hitting homes that were vacated during the holidays. Their home was on their list. The thieves were surprised this little boy was there to meet them with all his various inventions to do battle with them. I asked the obvious, "Why didn't he just go to the police since he knew the thieves were coming?" But then you wouldn't have this Hollywood story.
If you know thieves are coming, you are prepared? There will be some who are prepared and some who are not prepared for Jesus’ coming. All are not surprised. Many are looking forward to it. Others will be blind sided in their sinful ways.
Revelations 21 speaks of the new heaven and earth. Prophecies are not just predictions they are also proclamations that are to influence us primarily for the here and now. The reason the Lord tells us as much as He does about the second coming is so that we might be prepared for it spiritually and live lives that will assure us of the rewards of His saints.
When I was a youth, a popular question I would hear asked by ministers is “What would you want to be found doing when the Lord returns?” Although it made good preaching, Christ is with me all the time. It isn't as if it will be a surprise to Him what I am doing. I bring Christ into all my activities now. The challenge was to live a life for eternity, not concentrating on things that pass away. The point is preparation, which isn't only having Christ as your savior; it is living a life to receive the rewards. Our call is to be holy, not happy. We are to live fully and wholly unto Him, set apart from ungodliness.
If you have received God's gift of salvation by grace through faith, you have made your peace with God. You are ready to grow in His grace, and to love, serve, and help one another. What happens when you and I cannot live that type of life? Peter fell lots of times, but here is where the grace of God comes in. Forgiveness is a wonderful gift. The Holy Spirit begins working in us to make us more like Jesus. I get so impatient, I want to be free from all temptations of sin right now, but I am not.
God shows me that I am accepted by His work and when I stay focused on Him, He'll do the rest. That is why personal prayer and Bible reading is so important for our spiritual health. It reminds us of truth and the will of God in our lives. How do we look forward to the day of God and speed its coming? Holy living has something to do with it. Living out Christ in our world will affect our world.
We read in the book of Revelation there will be people of all tribes, all peoples, and all nations, so there is no question that it is our job to spread this truth worldwide. Many missions’ organizations seek to evangelize the unreached peoples groups of the world who have never heard the gospel message. We are part of that plan to help unreached peoples get reached. Sending missionaries is part of that plan. Evangelism is part of that plan. We are part of that.
D. L. Moody tells the story that when General Sherman went to Atlanta for more troops he left the fort, in Kennesaw Mountains with a little handful of men to guard some rations that he had brought there. General Hood however attacked the fort. For a long time that battle raged fearfully. Half of the men were either killed or wounded. The general in command was injured 7 times in that battle. When they were about to run up the white flag and surrender the fort, they had seen a signal on a mountain some 15 miles away. "Hold the fort; I am coming" W. T. Sherman. That message fired up the hearts of those who remained and they were able to hold out until reinforcements came. They kept it and the supplies from going into the hands of their enemies.
Our heavenly commander has given us that same signal message of challenge and assurance. Let us hold the fort with patience, courage and hope, for the battle will soon be over and victory will be complete.
Dale
