All Continues Just as it Was

When Jesus ascended into heaven, the apostles were there to witness the event. Afterward, two angels appeared to them and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). Christians today “eagerly wait” for the Lord to return, as the angels said He would, and bring the faithful home to heaven (Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

That was about two thousand years ago. Yet we remain watchful, knowing that “the day of the Lord will come like a thief” (2 Peter 3:10). But there are many today who will ridicule this idea. They say we should live as we please here because this is the only life we will have. We should not be surprised that there are such people. After all, Peter wrote about them in the first century. As the apostle began discussing the day of the Lord, he wrote, “Knowing this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation’” (2 Peter 3:3-4).

Their argument was simple – things have not changed from generation to generation, all the way back to creation. How can anyone believe the Lord will return and bring an end to this world to which we have become accustomed?

Of course, their argument was flawed. Peter continued, “For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water” (2 Peter 3:5-6). When God sent the flood in the days of Noah, He did not only destroy all mankind (except Noah and His family), He destroyed them “with the earth” (Genesis 6:13). If God did this once, He can surely do it again.

But there is something else to notice in their claim: “All continues just as it was from the beginning of creation” (2 Peter 3:4). Aside from the flood in Noah’s day, this statement is true. All things do continue here on the earth as they always have. But while the mockers used this to attack the faith of Christians – citing it as “proof” that the Lord was not returning – the truth contained here can actually be used to strengthen our faith in God.

Why do all things continue? That is how God designed them. After the flood, the Lord said, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night, shall not cease” (Genesis 8:22). These things testify of God’s providence for us. Paul said of Christ, “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17).

God has created a world that is perpetually able to sustain us through the changing seasons, growth patterns, and natural cycles. Paul told the residents of Lystra that these things provided evidence for the existence of God: “He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:17).

The witness of God’s providence in creation demonstrates His mercy and care for us. He does good for us here and gives us life. Yet the mockers interpret this to mean that the Lord is not returning, so they continue “following after their own lusts” (2 Peter 3:3).

There will always be people who ignore the goodness of God and continue to live as they please in a way that is contrary to His will. Paul told the saints in Rome, “The kindness of God leads you to repentance” (Romans 2:4). When we observe the world around us, as “all continues just as it was,” we ought to be reminded of God’s goodness and be provoked to follow His will.

People ignored God’s goodness in Noah’s day. They were destroyed (2 Peter 3:6). Others ignored it when Peter wrote about it, mocking the idea that the Lord would return (2 Peter 3:3-4). Unfortunately, people today are still ignoring the good that God has done, the kindness He has shown, and the grace He has extended. So they continue to live “after their own lusts” (2 Peter 3:3).

But Peter issued a warning – judgment and punishment are coming again: “But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men” (2 Peter 3:7). God destroyed the earth once with water. He will destroy it again with fire. His providence will continue until then, just as our chance to repent and serve Him will continue also. But one day, both of these will end: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10).

We are told what is coming. So Peter went on to say, “Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation” (2 Peter 3:14-15). Live your life in view of the fact that the Lord will return. Regard His patience as salvation, not as a reason to disbelieve. He has provided all the testimony necessary through His creation and His word that we need to believe in Him. Let us follow Him so that we will be rewarded when the day of the Lord finally comes.


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