The End of the World
Why does Father allow the world to continue? It seems that nothing has changed since the days of Sodom and Gomorrah. Peter supplies the answer.
2 Peter 3:8–9
“But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.” (NASB 2020)
Father has not changed. Despite the continued rebellion of many, He still loves them. Before the world existed, He planned to demonstrate His love through His Son Jesus. We read in John 3:16–17 that “God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.” (NASB 2020) In Romans 5:8 we find, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (NASB 2020)
Even though Father does not want anyone to perish, He does not bully people. He does not override their willful decision. He does not force anyone to accept His gracious gift. None of that is possible for Him because it would be unloving, and He is love (see 1 John 4:8 & 16).
There will come a day when Jesus returns. In verse ten of our text, Peter provides us some insight into that great day.
2 Peter 3:10
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be discovered.” (NASB 2020)
The idea of Jesus coming at any moment used to fill me with fear. I was worried that He would show up right after I had done some terrible thing or thought some terrible thought or had some terrible motive in my heart and that I would be lost. Those fears were completely unfounded.
Paul makes that very clear in 1 Thessalonians 5:1–5, saying, “Now as to the periods and times, brothers and sisters, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction will come upon them like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, so that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; (NASB 2020)
The Holy Spirit tells us through Paul that we are children of the day and that for this reason we will not be caught off guard when Jesus returns.
So, Father allows the world to continue so that every last human who will choose to be reconciled to God has to opportunity to do so.
