An Introduction to the Day of the Lord
There is an end to the drama of life in this fallen world of sin. The Old Testament prophets, Jesus Messiah, and the New Testament apostles preached and wrote about the end things. Hence, human existence is a tension between here-and-now and the end.
There is also tension between judgment and salvation. Some are saved from the wrath of God against sinners (1 Thess 1:10); while most suffer the righteous judgment of the just Judge of all the earth (Gen 18:25). One’s attitude toward the judgment of God reveals much about that person and their future in eternity. Those who know they deserve eternal punishment are not likely the ones who will suffer it.
The Apostle Peter wrote his second epistle to address the problem of the mockers. These people, looking to justify their ungodly behavior, endeavored to recruit others to their sinful lifestyles. Sin loves company. Ironically, these mockers linked the second coming of Jesus Christ with the judgment of the world; thus, they knew then as others do, today, that Jesus Christ is the Judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42; 2 Tim 4:1; 1 Pet 4:5).
The second advent of Christ is the day of the Lord, the day of judgment (Rev 19:11–21). The Lord of hosts will descend from heaven with the trumpet blast and the loud voice of the archangel (1 Thess 4:16). It will be a day of terror for the wicked, who mocked the timing of this consummate event to history. The unrighteous did not understand the patience of the Lord (2 Pet 3:8).
The Lord is slow to anger, slow to wrath. He is just when He does execute His righteous recompense. Vengeance belongs to the Lord (Rom 12:19), no matter the extent of the delay. Ample warning for all to repent from sin has been afforded by the Lord (Acts 17:30).
The observation by the reprobate, regarding the slowness of justice, is accurate. Their error comes when they deny that justice is sure to arrive on the appointed day. God is not constrained by time in the way man is subject. Here is the root of man’s miscalculation of God’s agenda. Man has no idea when, nor can he comprehend the extent of the devastation (Rev 6–18).
In January 2025, wild fires, stoked by 100 mile per hour Santa Ana winds ravaged Southern California. This event was preceded by a massive hurricane that ripped through Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. The fact remains: God has not left himself without a witness in nature. If men will not warn humanity about the wrath to come, God will be sure to give us all a preview.
Natural disasters glorify God in demonstrating His destructive power. Wind, fire, water, and flying debris should drowned out the scorn of scoffers. Destruction is frequently on display while men attempt to construct godless, utopian societies. They labor in vain because the Lord is not with them (Ps 127:1).
Evidently, there is nothing worse than men at ease in their environment. They do not heed or even hear the cry of the prophet. The man of God, even the Son of God, has been sent on a mission of mercy. The voice crying in the wilderness calls for people to turn from rebellion against Almighty God (Acts 17:30).
It is true that there is no new thing under the sun (Eccl 1:9). The plight of man remains the same in every generation, regardless of the illusion of “new”. New technology may speed up our transportation or expedite our communication; but the Word of God remains for sinners to hear and respond.
Response to the Gospel call does not change. Faith and unbelief are not manipulated by new teachings or new methods of outreach. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing comes by the Word of Christ (Rom 10:17). The preacher tells the truth about what is really going on in the world. He is not a salesman, nor a gimmick-monger.
People are dying all around us (Gen 2:17; Heb 9:27). They are dying because of sin (Rom 6:23). They have an appointment to attend in the presence of their offended Maker. He who has issued the Law has given light for men to see their enmity and estrangement from Him in whose image they were created. They, however, are blinded by the enemy (2 Cor 4:4). It is too easy to dismiss the warnings of God.
It is vanity, even utter futility to mock one’s Maker. Yet, this is the condition and the habit of the natural man, spiritually dead in trespasses and sins (Ps 2; 1 Cor 2:14; Eph 2:1–3).
Only one of two possible outcomes visits the faithful man of God, who proclaims the excellencies of Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore, that man must study to show himself approved and called by God to serve Christ’s church, in the equipping of the saints to do the work of the ministry (Gal 1:15; Eph 4:12; 2 Tim 2:15).
The Apostle Peter, following Jude, was faithful to warn the heretics about their errors. They did not understand God’s faithfulness to save His elect — every one of them from the lake of fire in outer darkness (Mt 8:12; 22:13; Rev 20:14–15). Let my reader take note of this article of warning. Jesus is coming as the warrior champion. He is coming to judge as a conquering King at His glorious appearing (Jer 20:11; Rev 19:11–21).
Mockers will no longer mock. Scoffers will no longer scoff. Pure terror awaits the unbeliever in his or her disobedience. There is no place to escape the pending presence of Him, who is en route to destroy, in order to make all things new (Rev 21–22). Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31). Continue in scorn and derision and you will suffer eternal punishment…guaranteed. He has given you His Word on that.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
January 18, 2025
2 Peter 3:1–7
