Has the coronavirus caused you to think about life differently?

Have you found yourself thinking about faith, and eternity more than before? Have you found yourself Googling prayer, God, Jesus, or church? Has your outlook on the future changed, due to our current crisis?

If so, that might not be a bad thing.

Today we’re going to look at three vantage points, from the Apostle Peter’s second letter. By beginning with God’s perspective, moving to the world, and then the Church (Christians); we can gain a better outlook on our current crisis. And what it means for our life, faith, and eternity.

Vantage Point 1: The Lord

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. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you…

2 Peter 3:8-9a

The Lord is not slow, but patient.

In verse 8, Peter reminds us that we’re on God’s timeline, not our own. Moreover, that in God’s timeline, “one day is as a thousand years,” which can be hard for us to accept.

This timeline is actually great news! And Peter points out why; because God is patient toward us. He is patient toward humanity as a whole. He’s waiting for us to ask big questions, to seek Him for answers, to call out to Him.

You may have come across some pushy Christians? They tend to pressure people into a decision to believe in God, or follow Jesus. Although their motives may start in the right place, they need to hear Peter’s instruction on timelines.

If you’re currently researching Christianity, and this has been your experience, I’m really sorry. On behalf of Christians everywhere, please forgive us.

The reality is that by nature, we’re not perfect; only God is. Sometimes we neglect to remember His patience nature. We neglect the steadfastness to walk with people, answering questions over long periods of time, even if it takes years to come to a place of belief.

Vantage Point 2: The World

…not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, 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.

2 Peter 3:9b-10a

The World is not called to perish, but repent.

By stating “the world” I am referring to everyone; all nations, people-groups, and languages. And the reason why the Lord is patient, is that He wants everyone to come to a place of repentance.

Repent: “A feeling of regret, a changing of the mind, or a turning from sin to God.”

Holman Concise Bible Dictionary

In verse 10, Peter speaks about, “the day of the Lord” meaning Christ’s return. He answers one of the big questions in our current crisis. Many people are asking, “Is this the end of the world?” Or for those who have some church background, they’re asking, “Is this when Jesus returns?”

We don’t know when Christ will return, anymore than they did in the First Century. Although it’s a difficult truth, Peter outlines a similar process that is explained in many other end-times texts.

Peter states that “the heavens” or “the heavenly bodies” will be destroyed. This is Biblical terminology for planets, stars, solar systems; the universe.

There is a trend in our culture to pray to the universe, worship the universe, believing it to be some living cosmic force. It’s not. It is a created thing, designed in might and majesty by our Creator God.

This is a hard truth, but in the end, everything is gone. Not just the earth; all creation, including the entire universe.

Vantage Point 3: The Church (Christians)

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, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

2 Peter 3:11-12a

The Church is not just waiting, but hastening.

Maybe you’re wondering, “What’s hastening?”

Great question! It’s not a term we use much in our day-to-day life.

Hasten: “…from a human perspective, when Christians share the gospel with others, and pray, and advance the kingdom of God in other ways, they do ‘hasten’ the fulfillment of God’s purposes, including Christ’s return.”

Dr. Doug Oss, 2 Peter, ESV Study Bible

In verse 10, Peter writes, “the works done” on earth will come to an end, as well as earth, the universe, and all creation. This is such an important piece of information for Christians, and for the Church as a whole.

After Christ’s return, and our entrance into heaven, sharing the Gospel is over. Let that sink in for a moment.

We’re in a very special time in history! Because in this moment, we have the unique honour to lead people to Jesus through our words and actions. Once we’re in heaven, “the works” are done.

Our opportunity to take part in this honour of sharing Jesus with the world will be over.

Christians (the Church) need to ask ourselves some tough questions.

• Are we hastening the Day?
• Are we hastening the coming of the day of God?
• Are we telling people about Jesus?
• Are we using this cultural moment to share the Gospel, and decrease the amount of people who will perish?

May remember that God’s desire is that none should perish. Is that truly our desire? God’s desire is that all seek repentance. Is that truly our desire? And if so, what are we willing to do about it?

This is the vantage point we should land on. This vantage point that changes our entire outlook on life, faith, eternity, and our current crisis.