I’m integrating Advent comments in with observations I’m making as I finish this year’s New Testament reading. After 2 Thessalonians, the schedule called for 2 Peter and Jude, wrapping up with Revelation.

1 and 2 Thessalonians have a lot to say about the Second Advent – a coming in judgment, which I wrote about beginning here. 2 Peter 3 continues that theme. I know many readers are in breathless anticipation of my take on end-time events, either because you want to know OR you want to see if my view agrees with yours!

Let’s not. Let’s use the Second Advent passages as they were intended: to encourage (1 Thessalonians 4.13 – 5.11) and to motivate to holy living:

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. 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. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. (2 Peter 3.10 – 14, ESV, emphasis mine)

The day of the Lord will come…therefore…

• Live in holiness and godliness
• Waiting for “and hastening” the coming (how?)
• Be diligent to be found by him
  • without spot or blemish
  • And at peace

The letter from Jude picks up on this theme as well…more tomorrow!