If So, Where is He?
Cynical people are everywhere these days. Way more than probably used to be. In the Church that is. The World will always be full of cynical people who doubt the Word of God. It would be easy to think that Peter was talking to the people of this world in 2 Peter 3:9 but he wasn't, not entirely.
"Beloved, this is now the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of a reminder, to remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.
Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue just as they were from the beginning of creation.” For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed by being flooded with water. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly people.
But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:3-9 NASB
In our daily battles we often need reminders that God already won.
We face people, often indirectly, that might indeed challenge us on just what happened, where is this supposed return of Jesus Christ?
I have heard many people talk about their views in my life. Have heard people talk about relying on Jesus as a crutch. Have heard people say things about church being for the weak who can't make it on their own. Have read about angry people who blame God for their troubles rather than them realizing that God's been there all along waiting to help. Have heard people recently that spoke of their own falling away from the Church.
People are born with cynical thinking. Cain certainly showed it. It can lead to bitterness and anger. Can push people into believing they were wronged and are owed something. Look at today's world and you see that in today's headlines.
Jesus said: I have come to seek and save the lost.
He sent the Disciples out into the world to make Disciples. Teaching them to do all that He commanded them.
People in Hell all believe and know that God is real, Jesus is on the Throne and that their fate is sealed. They do not agree with Jesus but they know there's nothing they can do about it. They chose to reject the free gift of salvation that is only through Jesus Christ. Their not agreeing either brings them to weeping or with them raging at God in their torment. There is no party, no celebrations, no wonderful afterlife filled with joy for anyone who refused that gift of salvation.
People wonder where is Jesus now. Why hasn't He come back? He's not willing that anyone of you reading this or anyone who hasn't read it to perish. He has no desire to send anyone to Hell. Realize this truth: People send themselves to Hell when their time on Earth is done if they refused salvation in Christ Jesus. All who refuse, refused of their own free will. It was their choice. Jesus, in your here and now, is as close to you as your next breath.
Jesus is here. He is with you. He is in Europe, in South Africa, the International Space Station. Mars, the Moon. Everywhere. He is Omnipresent. Everywhere at once. In the lives of Believers He is within them. In the lives of those who haven't, He's at the door of their hearts knocking, asking to come in. Those people have the only doorknob. Only those people can open the door to Jesus and ask Him to come in....and only while the breath of life is in them.
The answer is Jesus is with you right now.
Indeed a day is quickly approaching whereas He will get up from His Throne and return to gather all who believe to Himself. All who died in Christ Jesus will receive a glorified body that is free from the ravages of sin and be reunited with their spirit, also free from sin. Those who are alive and remain who are Believers will join them. Likewise with a new body and a spirit freed from sin. After this all Believers will go away with Jesus and 7 years of horror will grip this world as the Judgments of God are unleashed upon this world.
But I don't need your God! Some in this world lift a fist at God in anger. To some its not in anger but rather in the form of a statement. They won't come to Christ because they blame some life event on God. They would rather be angry at God.
Interestingly the Bible says that the anger of man does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Some erroneously believe in only the God of the Old Testament. Well, the Old Testament points to Jesus in the New Testament. Before His conversion, Saul only believed in the God of the Old Testament, on the road to Damascus Jesus opened his spiritual eyes about the Old Testament. Providing proof from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
You may not be saved. You indeed might be on the outside looking in at Christianity. Jesus is waiting for you.
That's where He is right now. He took your punishment for sin upon Himself to make it possible for you to be with Him forever. But you need to ask Him for it. It's a free gift. He died so that you might live. He arose from the dead making saving you possible. He pushed you out of the way and took your death sentence upon Himself. But you are still needing to ask Him to save you. He did all the work, but the choice is in your hands. You need to open the door to Jesus in your heart and ask Him to come in. To forgive you of your sins and to save you. That simple, that easy. That will change your forever address from Hell to Heaven.
So where is He? He's knocking on your door to your heart.
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