2 Peter 3:1-13

– Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the Day of Judgment and perdition of ungodly men.  But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.  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 melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

• What kind of man/woman are you?

Many things we read in the newspaper, magazines, see on television and hear people or even churches say about the end times are not accurate.  Many of them said nothing about Christ’s return for the church.  The people who are living for Christ, who have confessed their sins and are doing the best they can to walk, talk, act, and be what Jesus wants them to be.  These people will not have to worry about a lot of the calamities that are going to come upon the earth.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 – But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.  Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

• So this Day should not overtake you

What day?  The Day of the Lord.  The catching away of the church to heaven.  Then comes the tribulation, the period of Revelation and all of its trouble, all of its times of difficulty.

• What kind of man/woman are you?

If you are ready when the Lord comes, you do not have to worry about all these things

• What kind of man/woman are you?

• God’s Word is true
  • If God’s Word says it is going to take place, it will.
  • First thing on the agenda, regardless of when these things will begin, be ready.  Confess your sins. 
  • Live right

• According to the Word
  • Not what seems okay
  • Not what is convenient
  • Live right to the Word of God
• Then, when Christ comes as a thief in the night, you do not have to worry.
• What kind of man/woman are you?

You are taking a math class.  You know the test is coming.  You skip most of the classes.  When you do attend, you do not listen to the teacher.  You do not do any of the assignments.  Are you going to pass the test?

You skip going to church.  When you are there, you do not listen to the preacher.  You do not do any of the assignments (read, pray, confess your sins, live right).  Are you going to be with Christ?

• What kind of man/woman are you?

When your kids do not do their homework, you encourage them, you discipline them, and you may even raise your voice. 

“I’m telling you NOW – get right with God!”

Matthew 24:36-44 – But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

• What kind of man/woman are you?