"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. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its words will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?" (2 Peter 3:9-11).

Our God is a patient and loving God. He loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son to die that we might have eternal life (John 3:16).  God desires that "all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:4).  His patience has been incredible as He waits for mankind to turn from their sins and rebellion in heartfelt obedience to the gospel of Christ. But some day, the Bible says, His patience will run out. Some day He will wait no longer, and mankind will no longer have the opportunity to correct their ways.

There is a story in the Old Testament that illustrates God's grace, patience, and wrath. Genesis 6-9 tells of the story of Noah, his generation, and the flood of water that came upon the earth. Genesis chapter six records that Jehovah God saw that the wickedness of man was great, and that their thoughts were continually evil (vs. 5). As a result, God determined to destroy both man and beast from off the face of the earth. But in the midst of this wicked generation, there as one man, Noah, who found grace in the eyes of God. Before He destroyed the world, God sent Noah, a preacher of  righteousness, to warn his generation for 120 years (2 Peter 2:5).  God was being longsuffering while the ark was under construction (1 Peter 3:20). But eventually, God's patience ran out.  Noah,  his family, and two of every kind of animal were brought into the ark - the great door was shut - and God brought His judgment upon the earth. The waters rose above the mountains, and "all flesh died" (Gen. 7:21). 

As we think about the great flood, the lessons for our generation are impressive and powerful. God once again is being patient, but some day that patience will run out.  That is exactly what Peter was trying to tell us: "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief" (3:10). He will come suddenly, unexpectedly, unannounced.  And when he comes, "the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up" (3:10). Everything earthly and material will be destroyed, and we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad" (2 Cor. 5:10)
Are you ready for that day to come?

Sunday

Bible Study 9:30 a.m.
Worship 10:30 a.m.
Worship 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday

Bible Study 7:30 p.m.

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