II Peter 3:8-10
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night;
The LORD deemed this information so important that He had the Apostle Peter implore the people of God to make sure that they were knowledgeable of it.
Why is this information so important?
Although, it is not be as important for the unbeliever to understand this teaching, it is very important to the believer.
The first thing the unbeliever needs to embrace is, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” But once a person becomes a born again believer, the information found in II Peter 3:8-10 is vital. Why? Because it allows the child of God to be fully aware of His will concerning mankind.
This scripture provides us with the basis for one of the mainstream teachings found within the doctrine of Eschatology, which is called the Millennial Reign of Christ.
You probably have already heard something about this teaching, but there’s not a whole lot of preaching these days about the Millennial Reign of Christ. The mainstream Christian has become so introverted that most ministries have started catering to the natural man first with hopes that they will eventually meet the needs of the spiritual man. However, this is not biblical.
There is nothing wrong with ministries striving to meet the natural needs of the community. The church should strive to meet the natural needs of the community, but we must keep our efforts within perspective. The Bible instructs us to, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His Righteousness and all of these things (natural things) will be added to you.”
So, for the child of God, where do we begin? What is the Millennial Reign of Christ? Is it literally going to occur, or is it a metaphorical teaching?
The Bible teaches that it is literally going to happen. Revelations 20:6 says, “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”
Has this teaching always been a part of God’s plan, or is this a New Testament teaching? Yes, it has always been a part of God’s plan.
We learn in verse one of the book of Genesis that God created the heaven and the earth and in verse 2 we learn although the earth existed, it was covered in darkness. We don’t know how long the earth existed in that condition. That may explain how the world of Science says the Earth is millions or billions of years old. Theologians call this teaching the “Gap Theory.”
Nevertheless, I’m not here to try to explain how the earth has been in existence for millions or billions of years. That is not my responsibility, I’m not a geologist.
However, I am a servant of the Most High God and He requires of me to simply remind His people of what the Bible declares.
The Holy Scripture informs us that life as we know it began when the Light of the world made His entrance. Genesis 3:3 says, “And God said, Let there be Light: and there was Light.” And the Bible says, “And God saw the Light that it was good and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day and the darkness He called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.”
Day one did not begin until verse three of chapter one when there was the entrance of Light. That’s why Jesus can boldly declare that I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.
The Bible says that it took God six days to finish His work and on the seventh day He rested. If we believe the Bible is true and it’s considered to be God’s manual to mankind to lead and guide us into all Truth. Then we understand that there must be a reason why God wants us to know this pertinent information.
I discovered that God gives us this teaching throughout the Bible.
Psalms 90:4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past and as a watch in the night.
Psalm 84:10For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.
Okay, so what’s the significance of this information? The bible scholars say that from the time of Adam unto Jesus was about four thousand years. According to the knowledge given to us in II Peter 3:8-10, that equates to four days. And it has been over 2000 years since the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, which brings us to six thousand years or six days according to the knowledge given to us in II Peter 3:8-10. So, that leaves us with one remaining day or one thousand years. The Bible says the Lord rested on the seventh day. “….one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
Hebrews 4:9 says, “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.”
This brings me to a newfound understanding of why Jesus preached that when He was crucified, He would remain in the grave for two days, but on the third day He would rise again.
Yes, this prophecy found fulfillment when Jesus rose from the dead on that third day, but there is a double reference to this prophecy. If it was 4000 years from Adam to Jesus, and it has been over 2000 years since the resurrection of our Lord. That’s roughly 6000 years. The last 1000 years is going to take place with Jesus at the helm.
The prophet Isaiah prophesied and said the government shall be upon His shoulder and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Saints, we are about to enter into the Rest of the Lord, it is also known as The Millennial (1000) Reign of Christ.
The beautiful part is everybody has access into the Rest of the Lord. However, the choice to enter in is yours. Accept Him as your personal Savior today.
The disciples of Christ thought Jesus came only to give the Jewish people rest from Roman oppression. That’s why they were so distraught when He died. Although, Jesus repeatedly told them that He was going to die and on the third day He would rise again, it really didn’t sink in.
I may not know you personally, but if you are reading this today please know that the Day of the Lord is at hand. Make sure you are prepared to meet Him when He comes.
#EvenSoComeLordJesus