II Peter 3:3-4

II Peter 3:3: “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 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.”

These verses have come true today. In the modern church there are many are “scoffers”, who openly mock those who are looking forward to the Second Coming. These scoffers teach that such an outlook is foolish and unbiblical, and they take pains to point out that “all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” Nothing has changed, they say. The rebirth of Israel is irrelevant. The world has not grown more dangerous. Life continues just as it always has, with no end is in sight. There is no Jesus on the horizon and no reason to believe He might be returning anytime soon. Things just keep on as they always have. They scoff at the notion of the Lord’s Return, and hold those who long for it in derision.

And yet, although they do not know it, this very scoffing is a sign that the Lord’s return is near! Peter says that these scoffers will arise “in the last days”. This scoffing is proof that we are on the right track. The Lord really is returning, as Peter goes on to explain, and the consequences of His return will be devastating for those who were not prepared.

People like to say that the Second Coming doesn’t really matter. “Why study it? It’s not like it affects the way I live my life.” That is an utterly foolish statement. If the Second Coming were to happen today it would affect the lives of billions. Are you actually ready for the Lord to return? Can you honestly say that, if He came back today, you would have no regrets? Are you prepared for Him to come back right now and catch Him doing whatever it is you’re doing with your life?

I have to wonder: how much of this disinterest in prophecy actually stems from people’s hope that Jesus will not come back anytime soon and catch them living in sin? Jesus Himself warned about this very thing:

Matthew 24:44: “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Have you taken His warning seriously, or are you gambling that that all-knowing Lord of the Universe won’t catch you?