Let's take our Bibles and look together in 2 Peter chapter 3. My text today is taken from verse 10 down to verse 14. And I want to speak with you about a thief in the night. There are a lot of questions today and a lot of different thoughts and theories being preached by preachers as to what will be the coming of the Lord. Many people today talking about Christ's second coming who have never understood his purpose in coming the first time. And these were questions that arose even back in Peter's day. And I'm thankful that we have his inspired word, God's inspired word to teach us concerning Christ's second coming. It had only been a generation since the Lord Jesus had returned back into glory in Peter's day and already people were mocking saying well where is the promise of his coming? Here we are now, nearly 2,000 years later, and the Lord Jesus Christ has still not come again. And so you can imagine how people mock and say, well, where is the promise of his coming? But we saw in verses eight and nine that God is not on our timetable, that one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as a day. So if you look at it that way, there's only been two days that have gone by since Christ returned into glory. I'm going to do. But we saw that, verse 9, the Lord is not slack concerning His promise. Think about all the promises of God throughout all the years of the Old Testament that God said should come to pass and did in the coming of His Son the first time. God is faithful. What He declares in His word shall be. We can be certain of that. If you have a C90, you have two petrol, you have three. You could end up with the ambulance and get a son. I don't want you to end up in a lot of pain. You could end up in a lot of pain. You could end up in a lot of pain. You could end up in a lot of pain. You could end up in a lot of pain. You could end up in a lot of pain. You could end up in a lot of pain. You could end up in a lot of pain. You could end up in a lot of pain. You could end up in a lot of pain. You could end up in a lot of pain. You could end up in a lot of pain. You could end up in a lot of pain. You could end up in a lot of pain. You could end up in a lot of pain. You could end up in a lot of pain. You could end up in a lot of pain. You could end up in a lot of pain. You could end up in a lot of pain. You could So why is it that the Lord Jesus Christ has not yet returned? Well, we saw that in verse 9 as well, is that God is long-suffering, and there's those two words, to us-ward. In other words, His elect, that Christ will not come again until every one of those elect sinners for whom Christ paid the debt is brought to Christ in faith. They are. I'm going to get three years of crystal. Well, I'll show you where I am. But I'm going to get a nine year to pay for the three. I mean, I'm going to get a dollar. Did you get it? Oh, I'm so many crystal. I don't want to answer. I don't want to answer. I don't want to answer. I don't want to answer. I don't want to answer. I don't want to answer. I don't want to answer. I don't want to answer. I don't want to answer. There are some that preach God's electing grace, and they say that those that God chose from eternity to save, they'll be saved whether they ever hear the gospel or not. There are groups like that here in the United States. And so it doesn't matter whether they hear or not, they're saved. That's the way they reason. I'll go. I'll go. I'll go. Christ said that all that the Father had given him, this is in John chapter six and verse 37, shall come to me. And him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out. So there it's very clear that everyone that the Father has given to Christ must come to Christ. The Spirit will be given through the preaching of the gospel. This is why Christ said to go out into the world and preach the gospel. because God, His purpose, not only those that should be saved, but how they would hear. And that would be by the Spirit of God, drawing them to Christ. Chapter six. This is 37. Now, coming back to 2 Peter 3, 9 that we considered last time, it's not that God is waiting for sinners to accept Jesus. If God just waited for sinners to come to Christ without drawing them, none would come because we're sinners, we're depraved, we're dead. In 2 Peter 3, 9, when it says, He is longsuffering to usward, And then it goes on, not willing that any, you have to insert there, any of us, any of the us word should perish, but that all of us should come to repentance. He's speaking to the elect. Of this we can be sure that if we woke up today And we are now here and preaching this gospel. It must be that the Lord has purpose that other sheep should hear because of all that the Father has given him, he'll not lose one. I know many of us live with the hope that today would be the day that the Lord Jesus Christ would return. but only the Lord knows that time and that hour. It may be that God has purposed that there still be another 100,000 years for the preaching of the gospel, not knowing us, ourselves, who would be that elect one that must still hear, but God does. But what Peter declares here in 2 Peter 3 10 is that whenever that day of the Lord is, for whomever is still alive in that day, it says here that as far as the world is concerned, that day, verse 10, of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. Now for those that await the Lord's coming, Whenever that comes, there should be no surprise because we're taught in the word that he's coming again. And so we live with that hope. And when we sleep, we sleep with that hope that when he comes, we'll be taken up to be with him and shall ever be with him forever. Kusiana. How many thieves there are today that wait for the night time when people are least expecting a thief to come. He doesn't announce his coming. He comes as a thief in the night with suddenness. That's what that means with unexpectedness. Good evening. Good evening. Good evening. Now for those that are the Lord's, He does not come as a thief in the night. He comes as a Redeemer, a Savior, in whom those that He has redeemed rejoice and anticipate. It's like you're expecting someone that you know to show up, and if they come in the middle of the night, that's your rejoicing, because you will forever be with Him. But here it's addressing those that mock, that this life is not going to continue as it does, and that when the Lord does come, it will be as a thief that robs men of their expectations and of all their hopes that they ever built for. It'll be taken away suddenly. At once, Ojiima, I'm in a crystal, I don't want to sink, I'm the warfare, I'm in the heart of Galway-Kumamba. I'm a. I'm a. Notice the certainty with which Peter writes here when he says, the day of the Lord will come. as a thief in the night." In other words, that will be the consummation of all things and of the final judgment. Life will not continue on after this. There's a lot of teaching and preaching today on the end times that is not scriptural. It's not from the Bible. It's man's invented thoughts about how things will happen. One of the greatest errors and schemes that is being put over on people today that there's going to be a rapture whereby those that are the Lord's are going to be taken out of the world, and then is going to come seven years of tribulation on the earth, and then after that they say Christ is going to come again and establish His kingdom in Jerusalem for a They say there's going to be the final judgment. I will tell you that as we read on here, there's none of that here. I don't know. Those that preach that scheme of end times, they're taking scriptures and they're cutting one scripture here and they're pasting it over here with this scripture and then they take that and try to put it all together to promote their scheme but that's not how we read the scriptures. I'm I'm I'm me. Notice here in verse 10, it says, the day of the Lord will come as the thief in the night. Notice, in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up. I don't see anything in there about a seven year tribulation. I don't see anything in there about a thousand year earthly reign. It says in that day, of the Lord, when the Lord comes as a thief in the night for this world, that the heavens shall pass away with great noise. I am. I got it. I got it. And notice again in verse 12, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, he's describing verse 10, the day of the Lord when Christ comes again, where in the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved and the elements shall melt with fervent heat. That's what we anticipate to be what's coming next. It's not some scheme of seven years here and a thousand years there, no. looking for and tasting unto the coming of the day of God wherein the heavens being on earth shall be dissolved and the elements shall melt with fervent heat. We are. And then again in verse 13, what do we await? It says, nevertheless, we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. We're not looking for this earth, but a renewed earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. 11, verse 13. So when it says here in verse 10 that the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, not speaking that somehow the heavens are going to remove to some other spot but the heavens as we know them today will be shaken and the elements shall melt with a fervent heat the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. That's how it's described here and the it's not that the heavens and earth are going to be their form and constitution will change more so than even how the world changed in the days of Noah with the flood. This will be a destruction by fire. You know, Bible. Bible. I do. I've heard some describe this as being some nuclear explosion that's going to take place and it's going to completely wipe out the heaven and the earth. But I'll tell you, even with all the bombs and nuclear bombs that exist in the world today, there is no man-made bomb that could ever accomplish what is described here as a work of God. that just as God created the world, so He is powerful and able to destroy the world. And not just the world, but the heavens. That speaks of everything that exists in the universe, that this fire, as described here, the fervent heat, will wipe out, notice there in verse 10, the works that are therein. they'll be burnt up. Anything man-made, anything that since the fall of Adam, that has been in existence, will no longer exist. So, She made it. She made it. She made it. She made it. Anything pertaining to this flesh, anything pertaining to the fall, or particularly when it says works, anything pertaining to man's false religion by works will all be done away, utterly destroyed. So rather than these scoffing and mocking, this is written that they might consider what is to come and that any that put their confidence in anything in this flesh or in this fallen world must know that it has its end, and the end is judgment. I don't know. I don't. So we see here a two-fold warning, first of all, to those that are the scoffers and the mockers, that whether or not they see these things come to pass yet or not, we know they are certain because it is what God has ordained. Joya, Bandijen Jezo, kwa antuonse amene ametola zifukum ma'u The world, in its foolishness, attempts to leave a legacy in honor of their civilization. For example, you've got the pyramids over there in Egypt, where those kings who have long ago been dead, and yet those pyramids still exist. A day is coming when none of that will be left, it'll all be burnt with fire. I'm a president. But fast forward even to our day. all these monuments that religion builds, whether it's in their places of worship and other things whereby they seek to leave a lasting legacy, all of those works are of no consequence to God. All will be destroyed. Anything that is not what Christ has done will only face judgment. I'm going to call it. So, And just as there's a word warning here for the mockers and the scoffers, that those that don't know the Lord, there's also a message here of hope, as we see in verse 11, addressed to God's elect, those of us that are the lords for whom Christ has paid the debt, how then should we live? It says there in verse 11, seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness? When it says, that what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation? Well, our only holiness and righteousness is in the Lord Jesus Christ. And so we live unto him in that righteousness that he earned and established for sinners such as we are. And God imputed to our account, we live unto his person and his holy character in all things. Bible. Bible. You could set it up. other words, as we've been separated out now in this world by the Spirit of God unto Christ, so we live unto Him. We're not mixing in with this world or their religion knowing that any that are following a works religion are under condemnation. We live as separated unto Christ, separated unto God. We're not seeking the gains or the honor or the pleasure that men seek, whether in the world or in religion. No, God has made us to be separated unto his son, the Lord Jesus Christ. And we live our lives accepting the reproach even that our Lord endured when He was in this world of those that pursue their own gain or own pleasure. We by God's grace live as separated unto God regardless of the reproach of this world against us. If I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back, I don't want you back This is why we never get too comfortable in this world. We enjoy whatever comforts the Lord gives us, but they can all be taken away tomorrow. No, Christ is our hope. and all that he has accomplished for sinners such as we are, our hope is in him and therefore that's how we live in that holy conversation. That word holy means holy separated unto him and godliness that's reverence towards God. This is a God the world doesn't know. More. More. And you can see the contrast here in 2nd Peter 3, 12 and 13, because anything pertaining to this fallen world, the Lord is going to destroy. But you notice in verse 13, it says, nevertheless, we, according to what is promised, look for new heavens and new earth where in what dwelleth righteousness. Did you? Those that are the lords that He has chosen and Christ is redeemed and the Spirit has revealed Christ in them, they sigh, we sigh and groan living in this flesh because it's fallen. And we desire, we're made to desire that place that God is going to bring about, it says, wherein dwelleth righteousness. I can't even fathom what that is like, that there's no more sin, there's no more fall, but that we can purely and truly and forever worship the Lord in that righteousness that He earned and established on our behalf. If you are a Christian, if you are a Muslim, The Apostle Paul wrote of this in Philippians chapter 3 And verses seven through nine, speaking of his hope, he said, what things were gained to me, that is what he thought were gained to him when he was in religion. Notice, I counted loss for Christ. He was brought to see that all of that was vain. All of his strivings in religion, vain, according to his works, vain for the knowledge of Christ. If I came to me, Paolo, I don't know. So is it? What did it be? What would it be? After three days, I got seven. It's almost similar. This year, seven. You could have a good team. What about zones? Zimina? Zina? Did we do it? Ah, so we're so linear. Yes, sir. She died. What you've got? You're crazy, too. Come on. Listen, isn't it? So this is all set. Thank you. Thank you. I just need to get this to you. So what I'm going to do is I'm going to get it. He says in verse 8, yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them but dung that I may win Christ. Amen. So, you know, Notice verse 9, what's our hope? It's not in this world that is certainly going to be destroyed. It's certainly not in any works of our flesh that might, some think, gain entrance into God's presence. No, he says his hope in verse 9, be found in him, in Christ, not having mine own righteousness. We have none, which is of the law, even my best obedience of the law. but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith, the faith of Christ, that work that he accomplished, that's our hope of glory. When I was growing up, there was a popular saying in the religious circles that I was in, and they would say, only one life will soon be passed, only what's done for Christ will last. So they use that to try to get us busy about doing things for Christ. But that is completely false. It is true, only one life, and it soon will be passed, but it's only what Christ has done that will last. It's not what I do for him, it's what he's done for me. And so coming back here to 2 Peter 3, This is where we look, according to His promise. We're not resting in what men say, but according to what God says, we look for those new heavens and new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. That's that righteousness that God, through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, established that sinners, such as we are, might enjoy His presence forever. I would like to say to all of you who are listening to me, I would like to say to all of you who are listening to me, I would like to say to all of you who are listening to me, I would like to say to all of you who are listening to me, I would like to say to all of you who are listening to me, I would like to say to all of you who are listening to me, I would like to say to all of you who are listening to me, I would like to say to all of you who are listening to me, I would like to say to all of you who are listening to me, I would like to say to all of you who are listening to me, I would like to say to all of you who are listening to me, I would like to say to all of you who are listening to me, I would like to say to all of you who are listening to me, I would like to say to all of you who are listening to me, I would like to say to all of you who are listening to me That's why Peter concludes here, and we'll stop here for this time, but wherefore, see, that's the conclusion, verse 14, wherefore, beloved, this is not everybody's hope, but for the beloved of God, those beloved in Christ, seeing that ye look for such things, what things? Well, the destruction of this world and all of its works, but the establishment of the new heaven and new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace without spot and blameless. Now blind religious sinners will read that scripture and they'll say well we better get busy then about making ourselves without spot and blameless so that when Christ comes again, we'll be ready. That's how they read that. No, to be found of him in peace. is to be found of God in the Lord Jesus Christ as one of those for whom Christ has reconciled them to God and that peace being the result of the work of Christ on our behalf. You know what? The only ones that will be found of him in peace and without spot and blameless are those who are by God's grace clothed with the righteousness of God that Christ earned and established and God imputed there at the cross. You know, I mean, Those whose sins have been pardoned and put away when Christ paid the sin debt, those are those whose peace is with God and are the only ones that in the day of His coming and forever will be admitted into His presence. you. us. So this is how those do live as we wait patiently for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, knowing that the only thing that delays His coming again is God's purpose to save other sinners, call them to Christ just like ourselves. But we wait in patience for Him, looking to Him, living out our lives who he is and how it is that he's made us without spot and blameless before God. What a blessed hope. I am. And so we'll come back to verse 15 and the following verses as to what it is to grow in grace, but you can see verse 15 and account that the long suffering of our Lord. In other words, that he's not come back yet is what salvation. In other words, he is delaying for his chosen ones. And therefore we wait upon him. knowing that all that the Father has given to Christ of them, none should perish, but that they should be saved. And so we wait with patience and rejoicing, knowing that God is accomplishing His purpose. Yes. I'm out of this 15. Yes. So So may the Lord keep us ever looking to Him, resting in Him and thanking Him. that of all this fallen world it is pleased him to call us such as we are to himself because Christ has already paid that sin debt. and we will continue to do so. We will continue to do so.