“Mistakes To Avoid Regarding The End Of The World”
2 Peter 3
Sermon Series: “How To Survive The End Of The World”
Introduction: Many, many people are anxious about the future. What does the future hold for the world? Well, a Christian worldview asserts that God is on His throne and in control of all things and that He has a plan for this world that He is going to fulfill. The culmination of that plan is the return of Christ to establish His kingdom on a purified and renovated earth. However, many people disagree with that view. Some people hold a view known as the Escalator Myth that claims we will continue to make progress and create a utopia on the earth. The Humanist Manifesto 2 speaks of a worldwide government that eliminates national boundaries. Others believe that we will destroy the earth through nuclear war. Some people believe that the planet will be destroyed through global warming. Many religious groups predict that end of the world in ways that do not fit with Scripture. Others would say that this is an irrelevant topic because we have so many concerns that are urgent and immediate. However, this subject relates even to those concerns because it is a part of God’s plan that is being worked out in the world. Plus, we think about what the future holds for our kids and grandkids, and this topic relates to that concern. Ultimately, we need to know if there is hope for this world.
2 Peter 3 tells us that the Day of the Lord is coming. The Day of the Lord is a technical term that refers to all of the events surrounding the return of the Lord Jesus and is pictured by a chart on the screen. In this message, I want to help you understand the Day of the Lord and avoid some key mistakes in our thinking about the end of the world.
Mistake #1: Don’t be deceived into thinking that the return of Christ and judgment of God will not take place (v. 1-9). Those who deny it are:
A. Predicted (v.3a).
B. Mockers (v.3b).
C. Live according to their personal desires (v. 3c).
D. Use the argument that everything continues like it was since the beginning of time (v.4).
E. By an act of the will, they ignore God’s judgment
(v.5).
Peter builds a case to show that Jesus will come back and judge the world through the following facts:
Fact #1: God is the creator (v.5).
Fact #2: God has judged the world in the past (v. 5-6). Fact #3: God is now preserving the world according to
His purpose (v.7a).
Fact #4: God is reserving the world for judgment
according to His plan (v.7b).
Fact #5: God does not operate according to time (v.8). Fact #6: God is waiting because of His mercy so that
more will be saved (v.9).
Mistake #2: Don’t be worried about the end of the world (if you are prepared), but be excited about the wonderful new world that the Lord will create (v. 10-14). If we know Jesus, we do not have to be afraid of the end of the world. Jesus is coming back to judge the world, but those who are trusting Him do not have to fear judgment because He took our judgment on the cross (Romans 8:1). It is a myth that God is going to destroy the world. He is creating a new heaven and a new earth after He judges the world by fire. This is great news if we are ready!
Mistake #3: Don’t be caught unprepared at His return (v. 10- 11, 14-18). How do we prepare?
A. Live our lives for the things that will last instead of the things that will be burned up (v. 10). Augustine wrote, “That which man builds man destroys, but the city of God is built by God and cannot be destroyed by man.”
B. Holiness (v. 11, 14).
C. Stand in the truth and don’t be deceived (v. 16-17). D. Grow in Christ (v. 18).
E. Repentance and faith that bring salvation (v. 9, 15).
