(1) What will the world do?
a. Living without awareness
(Matt 24:37-39) -- 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away.
b. Lawlessness spreading
(Genesis 6:5) The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
(Matt 24:12) Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.
c. Laughing at any concept of judgment and accountability
(2 Peter 3:3-6) In the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.
(2) What is God doing?
a. Preserving the heavens and earth for the day of judgment
(2 Peter 3:7,10) -- 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
b. Preparing new heavens and a new earth
(2 Peter 3:13) 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
c. Patiently waiting that as many as possible would be saved
(2 Peter 3:8-9) With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
(3) What should we do?
a. Stand firm
Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.
(Matthew 24:12-13; II Peter 3:17)
b. Spotlessly live
(2 Peter 3:11,14) 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives! … Since you are looking forward to this [i.e. news heavens and new earth], make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. (both judgment and reward motivate this)
c. Speed His coming!
(2 Peter 3:12) 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.
Second City Church: Guest Speaker Peter Ahlin 2016