In a corrupt world, filled with wickedness, believers ache for His return—for His promised new world—that Eden of old. A place free from lies, hate, tears, destruction, decay, pain, suffering—a list much longer than this…
As we witness Satan and his followers becoming more blatant, we struggle to understand God’s reluctance to end it all—right here and now.
Except…
God doesn’t see it that way.
How do we know?
Well, for one thing, God’s seen it all before. Humanity’s deterioration into moral and ethical decay is clearly recorded in both the Old and New Testaments. The boldly expressed sin we’re witnessing has occurred repeatedly throughout history. It’s nothing new, despite perhaps, being new to us. Maybe it is the rapidity of the descent that causes us to think it’s new. After all, compared to other countries, Americans have lived ‘the dream’ for decades.
But we aren’t any longer.
Now, the rapid deterioration has invaded and permeated every aspect of our lives. The American Dream is gone and humanity realizes the world is out of control.
But hang on a second…there’s another way we know God looks at this time period differently than we do. 2 Peter 3:8-9 explains:
“But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”
ALL!
Everyone.
He’s waiting to give every single person a chance, and another, and yet another to choose Him!
Because He views time from outside a 24-hour clock. And He wants His beloved to take this information to heart. He wants His believers to live within HIS timing, as He gives humanity time to repent and come to Him.
His arms are still wide open.
His Love still abundant.
His grace still sufficient.
Our job is to serve Him boldly, despite what’s occurring in the world. Because, remember, believers are but pilgrims in this place. Our true home is with Him—not this world. He has tasked us to share His great commission, to spread the gospel throughout this fallen world.
So, lest no one be left behind, rejoice in how long it’s taking, despite the yearning of the believer’s heart to desire His Kingdom Come!
Amen.