April 6th | The Coming of the Last Day - Part 4
A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PETER’S SECOND LETTER
THE COMING OF THE LAST DAY – PART IV
2 Peter 3:10 “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.” On January 23, 2024, Kristen Rogers, Megan Marples, and Rachel Ramirez, all employed by CNN posted an article titled: “The Doomsday Clock reveals how close we are to total annihilation.” According to the article, the Doomsday Clock was created 77 years ago. Originally, the organization that conceived the idea of this clock created it to measure nuclear threats. In 2007 they added climate change calculations. The clock’s time over its 77-year history has changed according to how close the scientists believe the human race is to total destruction. At the beginning of 2024 the clock was set at 90 seconds to midnight. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, In the United States, 39% of adults say they believe “we are living in the end times,” while 58% say they do not believe we are living in the end times. Today’s devotional verse says that the end of time will come. However, the Doomsday clock will not determine when it will happen. Peter writes, “ . . . it will come like a thief in the night.” In other words, when least expected God will bring about the end of the universe. “The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.” (2 Peter 3:10) Jesus says of that day, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Matthew 24:36)
St. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 6:1-2, “As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For He says, “In the time of My favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”
Today’s devotional verse is God’s encouragement to you to live your life as if every day is your last or the last one even for the world. As you confess in the ecumenical creeds, Jesus will return to Judge the Living and the dead. As each day passes, that day is one day closer. Spiritual preparedness is essential so this day does not come upon you when you are not prepared. Jesus said it in these words, “ . . . be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of everlasting life.” (Revelation 2:10b)
Prayer: Holy Spirit, keep me daily prepared for the time when time will be no more. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
The clouds of judgment gather, The time is growing late; Be sober and be watchful, Our judge is at the gate; The judge who comes in mercy, The judge who comes in might To put an end to evil And diadem the right.
Arise, O true disciples; Let wrong give way to right, And penitential shadow To Jesus’ blessed light: The light that has no evening, That knows no moon or sun, The light so new and golden, The light that is but one.
The home of fadeless splendor, Of blooms that bear no thorn, Where they shall dwell as children Who here as exiles mourn’ The peace of all the faithful, The calm of all the blest, Inviolate, unfading, Divinest, sweetest, best.
Oh, happy, holy portion, Relief for all distressed, True vision of true beauty, Refreshment for the blest! Strive now to win that glory, Toil now to gain that light; Send hope ahead to grasp it Till hope be lost in sight.
(LSB 513)