Preschool
I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Hebrews 13:5).
Christ’s Return
Memory Verses
Primary
For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Hebrews 13:5).
Junior
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Hebrews 13:5).
Background Scripture: 2 Peter 2-3
Lesson Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1-14
Introduction
Living in this present world, we sometimes tire of the constant battle against the Evil One and wish for a time when all temptations and trials will be over. That day is coming for those who are faithful.
When Jesus left Earth, He said He would return. Peter wrote this letter when conditions were severe. Many Christians were being burned to death because of their faith. To comfort them, Peter reminded them of Jesus’s promise to punish the guilty and reward the righteous. Many false teachers were scoffing at this prediction. Peter insisted that God’s promises are immutable.
Key Verse
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen (Rev. 1:7).
Lesson Scripture
2 Peter 3:1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Studying the Lesson
When God completed his creation, all was perfect, but it did not remain that way. Satan spoiled it by planting thoughts of disobedience and sin in the minds of Adam and Eve. God, however, had a remedy. He is loving, but He is also righteous.
God’s righteous principles are what make Him just. The prophet Ezekiel explains, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. . . . But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die” (Ezek. 18:20-21).
God has kept his word, rewarding his followers and punishing rebels. The Old Testament tells of Adam and Eve’s punishment. In Noah’s day, the earth’s population was drowned by the flood with only eight surviving. During the years of the divided kingdom, Israel was lost among the heathen nations. Unfaithful Judah was removed from their homeland for seventy years.
When Jesus came, however, He set up a new kingdom, which He said would last to the end of time. He said He would return to earth to judge all humanity, rewarding or punishing everyone. The heavens and the earth would be burned up.
Thirty years later, the believers of Asia Minor were being persecuted and tortured. Some nearly despaired of ever being able to attain that future bliss. Furthermore, some false prophets derided the Lord’s teachings, saying He would never come again. At this dark time, Peter wrote a second letter to the believers, reminding them that God had always kept his Word and would certainly do so now.
Practical Truths for Today
What will happen on the day Jesus comes? To answer, we must follow this rule of Bible study: obscure passages must give way to certain Scripture. Still, the exact events are somewhat indistinct, but following are some clear prophecies of what will take place.
The sun and moon will be suddenly darkened, and the stars will fall. Then Jesus and angels will appear in the sky with a loud trumpet call. All of the dead will resurrect to meet Him along with the living. At that great judgment day, all people who have ever lived will then be judged by God. Those rejected by the Judge will be cast to his left to occupy a burning hell. Those accepted by the Judge as redeemed will be sent to his right to live in a glorious heaven.
The world presents a constant distraction to people of true Christian faith. In countries of wealth we are distracted, not so much by suffering but through the comforts of life and the privileges we enjoy. Can we keep our minds on things eternal? One brother who was a farmer years ago said, “Cultivating weeds on summer-fallow is so monotonous. But then I remember that controlling weeds was part of Adam’s punishment when they were chased from the garden. Today I am part of the sin problem, and weed control is part of my just punishment.” Here was a man who did not allow his daily work to crowd out spiritual thoughts.
In some countries, life may consist of barely surviving—a major distraction from holy living. Mothers are so busy caring for families that seemingly there is no time for God. When an entire neighborhood is worshipping false gods, believers may deny the true God. In an attempt to escape the realities of poverty, festivals are organized, tempting Christians to attend some ungodly entertainment.
To the unsaved, Christ’s return will be a catastrophic day! In the rich nations of the world many will shout, “Not now! I haven’t finished my project,” or, “Let me first be reconciled with my brother,” or possibly, “Give me one more day; I was always going to turn to God.”
To the Christian, however, this will be a rapturous day. They will feel like a bird released from its cage. Some will say, “Thank you, God, for deliverance from my pain,” or maybe, “How can it be? The Lord has given me so much that I don’t deserve,” or “I’m so happy; at last I feel at rest.”
Knowing that Jesus is returning, how ought we to live? That is the real matter of life. John Holdeman writes that we must allow God to sanctify us, and He does this by tribulation, need, and poverty. Pain, loss, and misfortune may cause discomfort, but it can offer us a keener look at eternity. Being of service to God may bring some financial loss, and being human, we may resent being left behind financially, but God rewards faithfulness. Poverty comes for different reasons, sometimes because of wrong choices. These difficulties happen, and if we accept them with humility, we can be sanctified.
We often wonder when the end will be. The Bible’s answer is “at an hour when ye think not” (Luke 12:40). Let us then live every moment as if it is our last day. A believer was asked, “What do you live for? What is your purpose in life?” The man replied, “My goal in life is to get to heaven and to take as many people with me as I can.”
Heaven’s splendor cannot be fully understood by humans, but we can grasp it by our human feelings in life. John writes, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Rev. 21:4). Heaven will be even better than what we love most in life. Above all, our Savior will be there.
Let us live “in peace, without spot, and blameless” (2 Pet. 3:14). We must not dismiss Jesus’s warnings. God is true, Jesus is coming back, and the judgment day is approaching. Live so you will be ready.
Questions
- If you were asked, “What do you live for? What is your goal in life?” how would you answer?
- If you knew Jesus was coming tomorrow, what would you do to ensure you are ready? Consider 2 Peter 3:14.
- In everyday activities, what is the greatest distraction from Christian living?
- What aspects of heaven appeal most to you?
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).