Page last updated

 


 

Scripture Text (NRSV)

 

2 Peter 3:8-15a

 

3:8 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.

3:9 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.

3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.

3:11 Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness,

3:12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire?

3:13 But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.

3:14 Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish;

3:15a  and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him.

 

Comments:

 

"A thousand ages in thy sight, are like an evening gone, from everlasting, thou art God, to endless years the same."

These words from the hymn "O God our help in Ages Past" must have been inspired to some degree by this text. So much of our lives is governed by chronos. We measure, even value in terms of ages, years, days, hours and minutes.

In the 1930's the Great Depression was measured in terms of dollars, or lack of. Today's great depression is measured in terms of time or lack thereof. All the technological advances to make life easier and save time have not cured this spiritual malady. There is not enough time for relationships, not enough time to volunteer, not enough time to rest or to practice the Sabbath.

Time has become our God, a cruel taskmaster, whose demands are ever increasing and whose rewards are ever shrinking.

But breaking into this time ward is one to whom a thousand years is like a day. He has enough time to go around, enough to support us all. His time is a kairos time, quality time, that builds up everything that we need, everything that chronos could not afford.

The gift of kairos is a precious gift. It is not free, however. The cost of kairos is waiting.

Fred in LA


I tentatively titled my sermon for the Second Sunday in Advent "Patience," with the idea being to think about our patience- but the more I read the more I realize that I am going to be looking more at God's patience. God's patience is deeply rooted in God's love. I wish I could be as patient with my children as God is with us, but my patience wears thin at times. Advent is a reminder of God's patient love. God's love is active as well as patient- constantly seeking ways to reach us with love and hope. GFinSC


I am working with the idea of "The BIG, BIG Picture," using the idea that God's plan takes longer to work itself out than we want it to. In the meantime, our "waiting response" should be to live at peace, to live spotless lives, and to live in patience. -Dale in Chattanooga


I am preaching a sermon series in Advent/Christmas/Epiphany entitled "The Advent of the New Millennium." Last Sunday was "Y1K" where I talked about the 999 version of millennium change. This week my theme is "What do we fear?" I have invited via e-mail for parishioners to share with me their fears and hopes(the third Sunday in Advent) theme. I have chosen this text because of the millennium imagery. I think there is more fruit there as well and must study it more thoroughly. I appreciate your thoughts.

Caroline in CT/USA


Fred in LA - Wow! Incredible insight. I also am so moved by this passage. So often when we pray, we think "What is taking God so long?", but according to this passage, God is taking so long because God is practicing patience with US (vs. 9)!! And God's patience is to be considered by us as salvation (vs.15). Amazing. I think this is grace - so clearly. It is as if God is the parent who stands back to see if we can work things out for ourselves. Yet if ever there is a danger, the parent steps in immediately. So, we are to spend our time - in the mean time - living lives of holiness and godliness. And -this is interesting- "waiting for and HASTENING the coming of the day of God" Does that hastening mean we may have a little say in when that day is coming or does it mean that how we act will make the time seem shorter? Hmmm. Also, the latter part of verse 12 brings to mind the purifying elements of fire. Though I do not know enough about that kind of thing to know if it is in making steel or forging or what. Guess I'll ask my husband - he wants to be a blacksmith when he grows up. This is an incredible passage though. I almost can't wait to preach it!!! Thanks again, Fred, I hope you don't mind if I use some of your stuff in my sermon. Rev. Jennifer in Mississippi


Fred's post reminded me that someone predicted (years ago) that in the future we would have an abundance of free time due to machinery and automation and computers. The prediction went something like because machines will do all the menial work, we will have time for luxury. Does anyone remember the quote and who said it?

It sort of reminds me of Disney's "Carosel of Progress", but I think they based it on the quote.

<>< Kingdom DJ


To Rev. Jennifer in Mississippi: About "hastening" the day of the Lord - this is how I understand it. If God is being patient in allowing people time to repent and turn to the Gospel, and thus delaying the end of the world, what if we are active in spreading the Gospel? The more people hear the gospel, the more people repent, the more people turn to God, the less need for the patience and delay. Thus by sharing God's love and Good News, we are hastening the 2nd coming. Just a thought - Mike in Maryland


A note on patience, ours & God's: Two weeks ago, on a single afternoon, I spent time with two friends, both of them waiting impatiently. One was waiting for twin sons to be born. She was so eager for it that she and her husband had even named them! The other was waiting for life's other end. Having chosen to receive no more treatment for a fatal illness, she was waiting for death. She was at least as impatient as the woman waiting for childbirth. Each reminded me of the familiar prayer: "Lord, give me patience. NOW." Each, by now, has what she was waiting for; but each had to wait for God's good time for "all to be accomplished." Waiting for birth, waiting for death --if not for these, we're always waiting for something. In the season of waiting, we need to be aware of God's patience (which always seems like God's slowness to us). A line from the poet R. S. Thomas: "The meaning is in the waiting." JB in CA