I want you to think clearly about one specific issue: Jesus will come back. Remember everything you’ve read in the Bible about His return. Yes, there are scoffers today, people who don’t believe, people who say, “Get real,” and talk smack. “Where is the promise of His coming,” they mock, “where is this Jesus? Nothing’s changed, it’s all the same old song and dance. Big deal, nothing to see here.” But they are following their own sinful desires. They purposely ignore the fact that God spoke all creation into being by His word, and He brought the flood in Noah’s day by His word. God’s word will not return void. He will keep His promises; always has, always will. He will fulfill His word. By His same word of the past, the heavens and earth of today are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. You can bet your life on it. God’s word does not change.
“But how come Jesus hasn’t come back yet?” you ask. Do not overlook this one fact, brothers and sisters, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. He doesn’t “do” time the same way we do. 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. But you can be assured of this: the day of the Lord will come like a thief. Thieves don’t announce when they’re coming, and Christ will come suddenly. And then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Be ready.
“But how can I be ready?” you ask, “what sort of person should I be?” Live a life of holiness and godliness. Wait for the coming of the day of God. Tell others and warn others of what is to come. The heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But fear not! There is good news: according to his promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. “Behold, the dwelling place of God will be with man. He will dwell with us, and we will be his people, and God himself will be with us as our God. He will wipe away every tear from our eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:3-4).”
Therefore, since you are waiting for His return, be careful to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation. Take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people, those scoffers and mockers, and lose your own stability. Spend your days growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Peter 3:1-18)