And finding the hope that His return provides.

Since the break of the COVID-19 pandemic, many pastors like myself have been fielding an increase in questions related to eschatology, or the study of end times.

Specifically, people inside and outside the church have an increased interested in Christ’s return. What will it be like? Will we have any advanced warning? What signs should we look for? When is He coming back?

We need balance in these discussions.

As we discussed a couple of weeks, there are some preachers and teachers out there, who claim coronavirus is the final pestilence (plague) before Christ returns. They claim to know, without a doubt, when Christ will return. (See post-links below.)

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This is dangerous business, since Jesus said He doesn’t even know when He’s returning; only the Father knows. (Mt. 24:36-37)

Today, the other side of the discussion.

There are others who claim that Christ’s return is nothing to be concerned about. They down-play our current crisis, discouraging deep questions about faith, eternity, and end times.

Some false teachers even state that Christ’s return is not literal, and that time will continue as it always has; long after COVID-19. This can be just as dangerous as the previously mentioned, doomsday prophets.

COVID-19 has caused people to ask themselves big spiritual questions, and some are landing on discussions about Christ’s return.

The Church has dealt with this before.

Thankfully, the Church has dealt with this kind of false teaching before. It was during the First Century, roughly 30 years after Christ’s ascension, during a time of great uncertainty. Christians were being persecuted, and even executed for their faith by the Roman Empire.

False teachers started infiltrating the Church, downplaying Christ’s return. Thankfully, the Apostle Peter dealt with it firmly and effectively in his Second Letter, which stills provides a valuable defence against those who would dismiss Christ’s return.

Peter’s Sobering Realities

“This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

2 Peter 3:1-8

Today, as we face those who dismiss the promise of Christ’s return, Peter provides three important realities.

Reality #1: PEOPLE WILL SCOFF

Peter tells us in verse three that, “…scoffers will come…” People will mock those who believe in Christ’s return.

Scoff: “speak to someone or about something in a scornfully derisive or mocking way.”

Oxford Dictionary

According to Peter, they will ask in mockery, “Where is the promise of his coming?” (3:4) False Teachers, who claim to follow Jesus, will spin a lie that life will continue on as it always has; that Christ will not return anytime soon, or ever.

Related to COVID-19

Adding to the crisis people are already feeling is not helpful. The goal is not to scare people into Jesus. This is false doomsday teaching that adds to anxiety.

That being said, promoting spiritual complacency isn’t helpful either. We need to find the balance between the crisis, and complacency. So that people can find a source of hope in the promise of Christ’s return.

Reality #2: PEOPLE WILL FORGET

In verse 6, Peter states that, “…the world…was deluged with water and perished.” This is a pointer back to chapter 2.

“…if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly…then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment…”

2 Peter 2:5-10

Peter reminds these first century Christians (and us) that the “fact” is, Noah’s world was complacent. They didn’t see the end coming in their lifetime, and they scoffed at, and mocked Noah for trying to warn them.

Peter’s not claiming when Jesus will return, but more pointing to the heart condition. Are our hearts receptive to the possibility that Christ may return in our lifetime?

Related to COVID-19

Humanity has faced crisis before; war, famine, natural disasters, and disease. Coronavirus may pass like many other crises before this generation. But it might not.

Within this current moment, complacency of action may lead to natural death. However, the bigger picture shows us that complacency of heart will lead to spiritual death.

Reality #3: GOD CONTROLS TIME

This reality is only sobering if we need to be in control. And humanity as a whole, struggles with relinquishing control.

Peter provides another “fact” in verse 8. We must remember that time is under God’s control. From God’s perspective, “one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (3:8)

In light of this truth, Jesus words can also be a comfort.

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”

Matthew 24:36-37

Interesting that Jesus referenced Noah, just like Peter did. We should take note of that. There’s considerable truth in what Noah walked through, related to what Christians will walk through before Jesus returns.

Related to COVID-19

Jesus may return tomorrow, or Jesus may return in a thousand years. The point is to live like He’s returning today. We should live a life connected to Him, not in crisis, nor in complacency.

This is a life of peace, and freedom, found in the person and power of Jesus Christ.

Our Hope can rest in Christ’s return!

Maybe you’re in crisis? Maybe you’re stuck in complacency? Maybe you’re just confused?

Like Peter, I can’t tell you when Jesus will return, but I can tell you that He will return one day. This is His promise, which become our hope. And when that day comes, those who have given their lives to Him, will be brought into His eternal Kingdom!

• Today, you can choose to follow Jesus, and give Him your life.
• Today, you can face the crisis, and the unknown with confidence.
• Today, you can give your life to Jesus, and have Hope in His return.

Take some time now, to pray and speak with Him, because He’s listening. He wants a relationship with you, but the first step is yours.