Living with Hope and Urgency in the Last Days

In the passage from 2 Peter, we are reminded of the importance of understanding the times we live in, particularly the "last days" as described in the Bible. These last days refer to the period between Christ's first and second coming. It's crucial not to be unsettled by scoffers or those who doubt the promises of God. We must remember that God's timing is not like ours; He operates outside our temporal constraints. This understanding should lead us to live with patience and trust in His divine plan.

God's perceived slowness in fulfilling His promises is not due to negligence but is purposeful. He desires that none should perish but that all should come to repentance. This patience is an expression of His love and mercy, giving more people the opportunity to turn to Him. As believers, we should be grateful for this patience, as it allows us more time to share the gospel with others.

The day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night, bringing an end to the current world order. This impending reality should not lead us to speculate about the timing but should prompt us to consider the kind of lives we are leading. We are called to live holy and godly lives, reflecting our anticipation of God's return. Our focus should be on our character and conduct, not on predicting the end times.

The hope of a new heaven and a new earth is a central theme in the biblical narrative. This future reality is not an ethereal, disembodied existence but a renewed creation where righteousness dwells. It challenges the common misconceptions of heaven as a distant, non-physical realm. Instead, it is a tangible, restored world where God's presence is fully realized.

Ultimately, our anticipation of Christ's return should motivate us to live with urgency and compassion, sharing the gospel with those who do not yet know Him. Our lives should be marked by holiness and a zeal for God's kingdom, demonstrating our genuine hope in the promises of God.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Understanding the Last Days: The last days refer to the period between Christ's first and second coming. It's essential to recognize that God's timing is different from ours, and His promises will be fulfilled in His perfect time. This understanding should lead us to live with patience and trust in His divine plan. [02:04]
• 2. God's Purposeful Patience: God's delay in fulfilling His promises is not due to negligence but is purposeful. He desires that none should perish but that all should come to repentance. This patience is an expression of His love and mercy, giving more people the opportunity to turn to Him. [05:13]
• 3. Living in Anticipation: The day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. This reality should prompt us to consider the kind of lives we are leading. We are called to live holy and godly lives, reflecting our anticipation of God's return. [10:01]
• 4. Hope in a New Creation: The biblical hope is not an ethereal, disembodied existence but a renewed creation where righteousness dwells. This challenges common misconceptions of heaven and emphasizes a tangible, restored world where God's presence is fully realized. [17:28]
• 5. Urgency in Sharing the Gospel: Our anticipation of Christ's return should motivate us to live with urgency and compassion, sharing the gospel with those who do not yet know Him. Our lives should be marked by holiness and a zeal for God's kingdom, demonstrating our genuine hope in the promises of God. [12:37]
  ** [12:37]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:08] - Understanding the Last Days
• [02:30] - God's Timing and Patience
• [04:00] - Purposeful Slowness
• [05:00] - God's Desire for Repentance
• [06:21] - The Day of the Lord
• [07:17] - The Good, the Bad, the New, the Perfect
• [09:22] - Living Holy and Godly Lives
• [10:55] - Compassion for the Lost
• [12:07] - Awaiting with All Our Hearts
• [13:18] - Speeding His Coming
• [14:06] - Destruction and Renewal
• [16:24] - A New Heaven and a New Earth
• [18:39] - Challenging Misconceptions of Heaven
• [20:14] - Trusting in God's Promise

1. 2 Peter 3:3-13
2. 1 Timothy 2:3-4
3. Romans 8:18-25

1. What does Peter mean by the "last days" in 2 Peter 3:3-4, and how does this relate to the period between Christ's first and second coming? [02:04]
2. How does Peter describe God's perception of time compared to ours in 2 Peter 3:8-9? [02:30]
3. According to 2 Peter 3:10, how will the "day of the Lord" come, and what will happen to the current world order? [06:38]
4. What is the significance of the new heaven and new earth as described in 2 Peter 3:13 and Romans 8:21? [17:28]

1. How does understanding God's different perception of time affect a believer's patience and trust in His promises? [02:30]
2. In what ways does God's purposeful patience, as described in 2 Peter 3:9 and 1 Timothy 2:3-4, reflect His love and mercy? [05:13]
3. How should the unexpected nature of the "day of the Lord" influence the way believers live their daily lives? [10:01]
4. What misconceptions about heaven are challenged by the biblical hope of a new creation, and how does this affect a believer's anticipation of the future? [17:28]

1. Reflect on a time when you were impatient with God's timing. How can you remind yourself of His perfect timing in future situations? [02:30]
2. Consider someone in your life who has not yet come to repentance. How can you share the gospel with them in a way that reflects God's love and patience? [05:13]
3. What specific changes can you make in your life to live more holy and godly, in anticipation of Christ's return? [10:01]
4. How does the hope of a new heaven and a new earth change your perspective on current challenges and struggles? [17:28]
5. Identify one area in your life where you can demonstrate urgency and compassion in sharing the gospel. What steps will you take this week to act on this? [12:37]
6. Think about a common misconception you had about heaven. How does the biblical view of a renewed creation inspire you to live differently now? [17:28]
7. How can you cultivate a lifestyle that reflects a genuine hope in God's promises, especially in your interactions with others? [12:37]