Okay, I like this picture, the joke- everything about it! The more I think about it, the more I see a reflection of human nature in it. By nature, human beings live their lives just the way the want, doing exactly what they want as long as they want to do it! In a way, they keep asking for "bread". And, they keep asking and asking and asking. Then, when confronted with the consequences of their lifestyle, they relent- maybe??? No obvious consequences, they go back to their previous lifestyle. Now, substitute sin for bread and the patience of God for "No" and I think you just may see where I am going with this.
Read on...
2 Peter, Chapter 3 (World English Bible)
1 This is now, beloved, the second letter that I have written to you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by reminding you,
2 that you should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior:
3 knowing this first, that in the last days mockers will come, walking after their own lusts
4 and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? For, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” (emphasis added vss. 1-4)
5 For this they willfully forget that there were heavens from of old, and an earth formed out of water and amid water by the word of God,
6 by which means the world that existed then, being overflowed with water, perished.
7 But the heavens that exist now and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
8 But don’t forget this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but he is patient with us, not wishing that anyone 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 which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. (Emphasis added vs. 8ff.)
11 Therefore (emphasis added) since all these things will be destroyed like this, what kind of people ought you to be in holy living and godliness,
12 looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, which will cause the burning heavens to be dissolved, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
13 But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
14 Therefore, (emphasis added) beloved, seeing that you look for these things, be diligent to be found in peace, without defect and blameless in his sight.
15 Regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote to you,
16 as also in all of his letters, speaking in them of these things. In those, there are some things that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unsettled twist, as they also do to the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
17 You therefore, (emphasis added) beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware, lest being carried away with the error of the wicked, you fall from your own steadfastness.
18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
2 that you should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior:
3 knowing this first, that in the last days mockers will come, walking after their own lusts
4 and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? For, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” (emphasis added vss. 1-4)
5 For this they willfully forget that there were heavens from of old, and an earth formed out of water and amid water by the word of God,
6 by which means the world that existed then, being overflowed with water, perished.
7 But the heavens that exist now and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
8 But don’t forget this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but he is patient with us, not wishing that anyone 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 which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. (Emphasis added vs. 8ff.)
11 Therefore (emphasis added) since all these things will be destroyed like this, what kind of people ought you to be in holy living and godliness,
12 looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, which will cause the burning heavens to be dissolved, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
13 But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
14 Therefore, (emphasis added) beloved, seeing that you look for these things, be diligent to be found in peace, without defect and blameless in his sight.
15 Regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote to you,
16 as also in all of his letters, speaking in them of these things. In those, there are some things that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unsettled twist, as they also do to the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
17 You therefore, (emphasis added) beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware, lest being carried away with the error of the wicked, you fall from your own steadfastness.
18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
From the passage- Will there be a judgment? When will it be? Why won't God just judge us and get it over with?
Listen- all my life things have been the same, people sin against God and nothing is done about it. Therefore many people have said to me- There is no God, because there is no punishment!
Wait- What if an eternal God wants to do things HIS WAY and judge all human beings when HE WANTS to?
Since this last statement is true, then what?
Therefore, vs 11ff.
We should be holy and Godly people and wait on God.
Therefore, vs.14ff.
We should be peaceful, without defect, blameless and wait on God.
Therefore, vs.17f.
We should beware of the wicked and grow in grace and knowledge.
Got any Nails?
Yes, on the cross of Jesus Christ, our Savior!!!