Why Jesus has not returned yet

11/29/2010 Loving God Journal

Learn - 

The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. II Peter 3:9 (ESV)

Observe - 

Why hasn't Jesus returned?  

I remember as a kid being in a church environments where teaching about the Second Coming of Christ was prominent.  We were constantly told that Christ's return was near - that the world events pointed to His coming.  The teachers surely didn't put a date on things, but no one who heard them would have ever thought that we would make it to 2010.  Obviously, the Father has delayed Christ's return long after the preachers of my childhood had predicted.

Why hasn't He returned?  This passage says it's because of His patience.  Not enough people are saved yet.  He wants more to repent.

The ESV Study Bible says, "Peter explains that the delay of the second coming is not a long time from God's perspective. He then explains further that the delay is also because God is patient, and He has not quickly brought the present period of history to an end because He does not wish that any should perish (see... 1 Tim. 2:4; cf. also Rom. 2:4). Though Christians long for Christ's return and the defeat of all evil, as long as the present period of history lasts, an opportunity remains for people to turn to God in faith."

But how will people repent if we don't tell them?  We have to wear the shoes of the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15, Romans 10:14-17) and take the gospel to those who don't know Jesus.  We have to use the sword of the Spirit, the word of God (Ephesians 6:17), to help capture the thoughts of the lost so they are obedient to Christ (II Corinthians 10:4-5).  We have to pray that we will be bold in proclaiming the gospel (Ephesians 6:19-20) so that more people will repent and be ready for the return of the King.

Value - 

Jesus is waiting for people to repent.  What are you waiting for?  Tell them about Him!

Express - 

You, Lord, are incredibly patient.  Thank You for being patient with me.  If you held my sins against me, I could never stand.  Thank You for Your patience with the lost.  Help me help them be ready for Your return.  I do not know when You will return.  But I do want to help more people be ready.  So, give me grace to open my mouth and to be bold.  Give me grace to use the sword of the Spirit.  Give me grace to wear the shoes of the gospel of peace.  Don't come back until my family, my neighbors, my friends are saved.  Help us at CVC pick another unreached people group and do what we can to reach them.  Keep being patient, Lord Jesus!  Amen.