There are two verses in the Bible that are commonly quoted in Pentecostal pulpits. Usually, they are discussed separately. However, in the Bible, they are side by side. So, I'd like to look at them that way - together. These verses are II. Peter 3:9, 10.
First, let us look at II. Peter 3:9 - "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." This verse reveals God's willingness to save absolutely anyone. He is not willing that any should perish. This willingness is revealed throughout the scriptures - in the shepherd that crosses valleys and hills to find the lost sheep; in the woman who lost a coin and swept every room until she found it; in the father who stands on the portals looking for his prodigal before the prodigal looked for him. It is evident that people are lost, not because the Father refuses to save, but because they refuse to be saved. The Lord is not slack, but is longsuffering, not willing that any die lost, but that ALL be saved.
The next verse, another familiar verse, II. Peter 3:10, reads this way - "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with a fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." The first part of this verse, the more familiar part, says, "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night." The words I wish to focus on - "The day of the Lord WILL COME." In the previous verse, Peter just finished exhorting us concerning the willingness of the Lord to save the lost, at any cost. He goes to great length to explain that the Lord wants to save ALL. But the next verse takes a twist. "The day of the Lord WILL COME." The Lord does not want anyone to die lost. But, as much as He wishes to save, people being lost will not stop Him from coming. I have heard it sung, "Wait a little longer, please Jesus." I like the song, because the writer has a burden to get souls saved before He comes. But there is a day appointed, known only to the Father, when Jesus Christ will come to judge the quick and the dead. Your lost loved ones or mine won't stop Him. He is coming soon, and we must work while it is day, for night cometh, when no man can work.
First, let us look at II. Peter 3:9 - "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." This verse reveals God's willingness to save absolutely anyone. He is not willing that any should perish. This willingness is revealed throughout the scriptures - in the shepherd that crosses valleys and hills to find the lost sheep; in the woman who lost a coin and swept every room until she found it; in the father who stands on the portals looking for his prodigal before the prodigal looked for him. It is evident that people are lost, not because the Father refuses to save, but because they refuse to be saved. The Lord is not slack, but is longsuffering, not willing that any die lost, but that ALL be saved.
The next verse, another familiar verse, II. Peter 3:10, reads this way - "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with a fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." The first part of this verse, the more familiar part, says, "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night." The words I wish to focus on - "The day of the Lord WILL COME." In the previous verse, Peter just finished exhorting us concerning the willingness of the Lord to save the lost, at any cost. He goes to great length to explain that the Lord wants to save ALL. But the next verse takes a twist. "The day of the Lord WILL COME." The Lord does not want anyone to die lost. But, as much as He wishes to save, people being lost will not stop Him from coming. I have heard it sung, "Wait a little longer, please Jesus." I like the song, because the writer has a burden to get souls saved before He comes. But there is a day appointed, known only to the Father, when Jesus Christ will come to judge the quick and the dead. Your lost loved ones or mine won't stop Him. He is coming soon, and we must work while it is day, for night cometh, when no man can work.
