America has entered a new chapter. No, America has started a new book. President Donald Trump opened his inaugural address by saying, “The golden age of America begins right now.” His pledge to put America first drew applause from the U.S. Capitol Rotunda audience.
With this seismic shift in the political landscape, many Americans are hopeful that common sense will prevail, that the economy will strengthen and that the country will be a safer place to live.
However, some Christians seem to teeter on the edge of idolatry in speaking about President Trump and America’s destiny. It seems as if all their hopes are anchored in the White House. The American church does well to remember that her ultimate hope is not in politics but in Jesus alone.
This is not another Christians-should-stay-out-of-politics rant. Rather, it is a call for Christians to remember our highest priorities at this critical moment in history. This moment will be wasted if the American church takes its eyes off of its Great Commission mandate.
American Christians must seize this opportunity God has given us to be the salt and light He calls us to be (Matt. 5:13-16). This is not the time to sit on the sidelines. The world needs God’s Truth right now. Churches must remain a clarion voice in this generation. Hungry souls are searching for truth and God’s Word is the only place they will find those answers. The spiritual battle for souls is as fierce a fight as ever. Will we step up to the challenge?
God’s Word reminds us to stay vigilant in this battle in the last days. Peter provides a battle plan for Christian soldiers in 2 Peter 3. The Word of God will strategically navigate believers through the ideological landmines they will face from scoffers (2 Peter 3:1-2).
THE SPIRIT OF THE SCOFFERS
“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after 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 the creation” (2 Peter 3:3-4).
Peter’s prediction about the scoffers was spot on. The portrait he paints fits many people alive today. These are the ones who need to hear the truth. These are the ones who need the Gospel in our generation. Please read these verses in your Bible and consider the scoffer’s characteristics.
• They deliberately reject God’s Word (2 Pet. 3:3-4)
The scoffers reject God’s authority and pursue their own desires (2 Peter 3:3). This is ground zero for the current spiritual battle. Our fallen human nature craves authority and doing whatever we desire. Sadly, pursuing pleasure corrupts our minds and blinds us to the truth.
• They deliberately forget what God had done (2 Pet. 3:5-6)
The scoffers twist the truth to fit their agenda. Peter said they are willingly ignorant of God’s Word, to their detriment. They mock Bible prophecy and God’s promises. These scientific minds scoff at the concept of a Creator and ignore the claims of a global flood as antiquated nonsense. Sound familiar?
• They were unaware of God’s promised judgment (2 Pet. 3:7)
Peter promised that God would bring judgment against the ungodly just as He brought the flood in Noah’s day. His warning should serve as a wake-up call to scoffers today. God knows our words, deeds, thoughts, desires and motives. He is a God of justice who cannot ignore sin.
• They were unaware of God’s present motives (2 Pet. 3:8-9)
Peter seems to anticipate the scoffer’s reply, “God’s judgment? Oh, yeah? Well, if He’s coming back and going to judge us, what is He waiting for?” Peter diffuses the situation with a most unexpected answer that reveals the heart of God.
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
Jesus hasn’t returned yet because He wants scoffers to repent and experience His forgiveness. Jesus died for their sins. God does not take delight in punishing sinners. He is extending as much divine patience and grace as possible.
They were unaware of God’s promised coming (2 Pet. 3:10)
Everything the scoffers work so hard to build on this Earth will be destroyed one day. No amount of money can buy someone more time. No army will stop God’s judgment day. When God’s prophetic clock ticks to the exact second He has ordained, nothing will delay His coming. Nothing will slow His hand or thwart His plan.
The Gospel message is an urgent message for the world. The scoffers turn away from the truth but God is patient and extends grace to them today. There will come a day when it is too late.
KEEP LOOKING TO JESUS
Understanding that the things of this world will pass away should motivate believers to focus on the proper priorities, right here, right now (2 Peter 3:11). Verses 12-14 contain three reminders for Christians to keep looking in the right direction.
• “Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God” (2 Peter 3:12).
• “[We] look for new heavens and a new earth…” (2 Peter 3:13).
• “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” (2 Peter 3:14).
If Christians focus in the right direction, they will live for the right priorities. In verse 14, Peter gives the first of four commands to help believers remain focused.
1. Stand diligently (2 Peter 3:14).
Longing for the new heavens and earth ought to inspire holiness in God’s people. The scoffers chased their sinful passions but followers of Christ are called to be spotless and blameless. Expecting the imminent rapture of the church should spur believers to holiness. Do not fall asleep and drift into temptation during these days. Stay in the fight and stay focused on the Lord.
2. Engage faithfully (2 Peter 3:15-16).
While Christians yearn for deliverance from this sinful world and long to see the new heavens and earth, Peter reminds believers that God’s patience provides salvation for the lost. Jesus has a job for the church to do. While we stand diligently against sin, we are not called to withdraw from the world. Just as light shines in dark places and salt preserves and purifies what it contacts, the church is called to engage faithfully in this moment.
Further, the church is called to stand on God’s truth. Peter warns the church to watch out for the truth twisters who handle Scripture worse than a reckless driver handles his vehicle.
3. Watch carefully (2 Peter 3:17).
Armed with the proper understanding of God’s Word, believers must be on guard for spiritual and biblical deception. Reckless drivers rarely endanger only themselves. Passengers, other drivers and pedestrians are all in harm’s way when this dangerous driver is on the road.
The word translated as “steadfastness” occurs only here in the New Testament. It is a unique word that warns about the danger of distraction. How sad that those who get led into false teaching are rendered ineffective for Christ in this present spiritual battle.
This is one of the reasons this text is so crucial for the American church today. If Christians are lax in their focus or fail to take God’s Word seriously, there could be many casualties of war in this generation.
4. Grow biblically (2 Peter 3:18).
Peter admonishes believers to grow both in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus. The church must engage in today’s spiritual battle with grace and truth. Jesus was the personification of these qualities. Peter observed Jesus’ perfect blend of these traits firsthand. Now He calls the church to keep growing in their relationship with Jesus and keep sharing His grace and truth with others.
May the church continue to seek Jesus and minister effectively for Him in this generation. May the Lord strengthen us to stand firm and share the glorious Gospel. Soli Deo Gloria! Maranatha!
Download February 2025 Prophetic Observer.
Leave a Reply