◄ What Does 2 Peter 3:13 Mean? ►

Both Peter and Paul give some excellent information about the 'Day of the Lord'. It begins with the prophesied 'Time of Jacob’s Trouble', continues into the Millennial reign of Christ on earth – and on into the eternal ages.

The 'Day of the Lord' reaches its climax at the end of the Millenium, with the destruction of the first, fallen heaven and cursed earth, and continues with the creation of a new heaven and a blessed, new earth – before continuing into the eternal ages to come.

As Church age believers we are living in the 'Day of Man' which began with Adam’s rebellion. We are living in the 'Times of the Gentiles' which began in Babylon and which precedes the 'Day of the Lord'.

This current age, the 'Times of the Gentiles', is a perilous period when the Jews are oppressed by all nations and despised worldwide. Similarly, the Church is hated of all men, just as Christ was hated without a cause – and like Israel, the Church will continue to be persecuted for the sake of righteousness.

But Peter gives us wonderful hope that the cruel, mocking voices will one day cease. And although we consider it to be a long time to wait for God’s plan to come to fruition, we are assured that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day.

He encourages us by letting us know that the Lord is not slow about fulfilling His promise, as some consider slowness, but is patient toward fallen man, not wishing for anyone to perish but that all would come to repentance.

Jesus is God’s anointed and has been appointed to bring all things in heaven and earth, back under God’s sovereign control, during the 'Day of the Lord'. Jesus is to redeem both the world and the righteous saints of all ages from the hand of Satan – before handing them back to His Heavenly Father. Jesus paid the price for the sin of the whole world – such that whosoever believes on Him is redeemed by His precious blood and transferred into the Kingdom.

During this, yet future, amazing 'Day of the Lord', the Almighty Creator will smash the satanic kingdoms of this world and set up Jesus, the Prince of Peace, on the throne of His father, David.

Although Christ’s Millennial reign on earth will be a time of righteous rule, when the wolf will lie down with the lamb, the Lord Jesus will be required to reign with a rod of iron for the inhabitants of His earthly kingdom will continue to be born with a sin nature – until ALL thing are made new.

Peter gives a wonderful description of that final part of the 'Day of the Lord', where the old creation passes away and is replaced by a new heaven and earth – for according to His promise we are to keep looking for new a heaven and a new earth – in which righteousness will dwell.

In the eternal ages that will follow the new heaven and earth, Jesus will no longer rule with a rod of iron. He will reign for ever and ever, and of His eternal kingdom there will be no end. There will be no war, no death, no sin, no rebellion, no sickness, and no pain in the new heaven and the new earth – for the former things will have passed away. There will be no enemies to fight – neither natural enemies nor spiritual foes. There will be no sacrificial system and no Temple – but the Lamb that was slain for us will be worshipped for ever and ever.

Praise His holy name.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your perfect plan of salvation. Thank You that You have given fallen man so much time to choose to accept Your gift of salvation by faith and to be born again into Your heavenly kingdom. Thank You that the troubles and trials of this present age will one day cease, and that believers have the hope and blessing of ruling and reigning with Christ in His Millennial Kingdom. Thank You that in the ages to come, heaven and earth will be free of all the residue of sin and Satan, as You will destroy the old and create new heavens and a new earth. May I play my part in Your eternal plan and purpose and live my life today in a way that points the world to Christ. May I honour Your holy name in thought, word, and deed. In Jesus' name, AMEN.