Daily anticipation of Christ’s return – Part 2

“The Lord is…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
The Lord Jesus Christ, through His substitutionary sacrifice, has provided the only way of escape. However, the escape is not automatic. There must be repentance. We ask and receive His grace to repent and believe in Him. When we receive His salvation, we abide and grow in Him. We also press forward to be sanctified, committed and consecrated unto the Lord as we cleave to Him.

When you are saved, you occupy a special place in the heart of the Almighty God. He “set(s) apart him that is godly for himself,” not for the day of destruction or damnation or the day of judgment or punishment. Before the calamity comes, He would “gather (His) saints together unto (Him) those that have made a covenant with (Him) by sacrifice,” Psalm 50:5.
To escape that day of darkness, we must:
• See Him as the only way of escape
• Seek Him above all else on earth
• Set Him before us always as our perfect example
• Satisfy Him by doing only His will
• Show Him in fullness to the world around us
• Serve Him with all our hearts, soul, mind, strength and substance
• Stand up for Him before the people of the world, when they jest, blaspheme His name or compare Him with ordinary men.

We are to stand up for Him before all people, in all places, at every opportunity, at all times, by all means, in all situations, until our last breath. We must do this with all our energy and courage whatever betides. “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to ‘escape’ all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man,” Luke 21:36.

Those preparing for the coming of the Lord must follow the numerous righteous examples in the Bible. Take the example of the Apostle Peter himself, and notice some vital things about the relationship between him and Paul the Apostle.

One, Peter was rebuked by Paul (Galatians 2:11-14), yet he had no animosity against him, though he was first to be an apostle. There was no anger and he did not fight back because he was truly sanctified.

Two, Peter respected Paul (verse 15). He did not try to get even with him through his writing. If we are saved and sanctified, we must keep that same respect for one another.

Three, Peter recognised Paul (verses 15,1).

Four, Peter recommended Paul without jealousy (verse 16), despite having written only two epistles and Paul wrote 14. In fact, he equates the epistles of Paul to the scripture, which contain the wisdom and revelation of God.

Five, Peter rebuked those misinterpreting Paul (verse 16).

Six, Peter reemphasised the same message as Paul to be steadfast (verses 17,18; 1 Corinthians 15:58). As we unite as one body in Christ, we must emphasise the same things.

Seven, Peter released his trusted sons to Paul (1 Peter 5:12,13). He allowed Silvanus and Marcus to join Paul’s ministry, though he had trained them for a purpose.

As we get ready for the coming of the Lord, we must throw away selfishness, self-centredness, anger, bitterness and unforgiving spirit. As we do these and heed God’s call to a life of holiness and godliness in readiness for His coming, His work will prosper in our hands.

• Further reading (King James Version): 2 Peter 3:1,10-14; 2 Peter 3:9,11-14; Psalm 4:3,4; 50:5; Isaiah 26:20,21; Jeremiah 51:6,45; Luke 21:36; 2 Peter 3:15-18; Galatians 2:11-14; Romans 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Timothy 4:11; 2 Peter 3:11.