Oct. 18, 2026

"WATCH OUT”

      “THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST"

  2 PETER 3:8-10

Jesus Christ is coming back to earth. This is the declaration of Scripture time and time again. Mt. 26:64, Lk.21:27 Acts 1:11, Hebrews 9:28, Mt. 16:27, Mt 25:31-32, I Cor.4:5, 2 Tim 4:11, Jude 14-15

Why has Christ not yet returned? This is the one thing we must not be ignorant about, why Christ has not yet returned to earth.

1.  The Lord Does Not Measure Time The Same As Man- 2 Peter 3:8

2 Peter 3:8 “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

God is eternal, without beginning or ending, and He dwells in eternity, Eternity is not just extended time rather it’s existence is above and apart from time. Peter was referring to Ps. 90:4 

Psalm 90:4 “For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it is past, And like a watch in the night.”

Why has Christ not yet returned to earth? First because God does not measure time the same as man. There are two differences between the time of God and the time of man.

*There Is The Span Of Time- 

*The point is this: believers must no be discouraged because Christ has not yet returned. God may want a lot more to take place on earth before He sends Christ back to earth. Our task is not to question when He is returning but to watch and be ready in case He returns before we depart this life in death.

*There Is The Intensity Of Time- 

vs.8- “One day with God is as a thousand yours”

2 Corinthians 4:7 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”

Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

The point is: It is a warning to man. God will not bear with evil forever. Scripture teaches we are living in the last days. (2 Timothy 3:15, 1 Peter 1:18-20, 2 Peter 3:3, Jude 17-18)

2.  The Lord Is Not Slow In Sending Christ Back To Earth, But Longsuffering- 2 Peter 3:9

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 

Why has Christ not yet returned to earth?

Because God loves man. He does not want any person to perish, not a single person.

Note Two Things:

1. God is long suffering- (makrothumei) which means, that God is patient with us, that God bears and suffers a long time with us, that God perseveres and is constant in suffering with us, and that God is stedfast and enduring in being patient with us.

This is the very reason He sent Christ to save us. He loves and cares for us, therefore, He is suffering a long time with us.

Romans 2:4 “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”

Romans 3:25 “whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed.”

2.  God wants no person to perish- vs.9 “not willing that any should perish…”

The point is this: God does not want us perishing, He does not want us cut off and separated from Him. God wants us to spend eternity with Him not apart from Him. (John 3:16, Romans 5:8)

Ephesians 2:4-5 “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved.”

vs. 9 "repentance" - to change to turn, to change ones mind to turn ones life. It is a turning away from sin and a turning to God.

The change is turning away from lying, stealing, cheating, immorality, cursing, drunkenness, and other sins of the flesh, such as self centeredness, selfishness, envy, bitterness, pride, covetousness, anger, evil thoughts, hopelessness, laziness, jealousy and lust. (Colossians 3:5-10 , Ephesians 4:22-32)

Repentance is both the change of mind and heart and the actual turning of ones life away from sin and toward God.

Matthew 3:2 “and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” 

Acts 3:19 “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”

Acts 17:30 “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.”

vs.9- the word "come" carries the meaning of “make room for.”

3.  The Day Of The Lord Is Coming- 2 Peter 3:10

2 Peter 3:10 “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.”

Why has Christ not returned? The glorious fact is that He shall return. The Day of the Lord is coming.

Two Thing:

1. The Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night-

1 Thessalonians 5:3-4 “For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.” 

Mark 13:35 “Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning.”

Matthew 24:44 “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

1 Thessalonians 5:2 “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.”

Revelation 16:15 “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”

2. The Heavens and The Universe  shall pass away-

vs.10 “in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.”

The point is this: "the day of the Lord will come". There is no question about it. Just as God spoke the Word and created the world... just as God spoke the Word and destroyed the earth in Noah’s day.

Why is God going to destroy both heaven and earth? Because God has created a new heaven and earth were righteousness dwells:

2 Peter 3:13 “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”

By “works" is meant all the works of men’s hands: buildings, offices houses, religions, governments, services, evil works, businesses, murder, wars, and everything else done by mans hands.

What man must do is watch and prepare. He must repent , turn to God, and turn away from sin and coming destruction. Scripture is

clear:

Isaiah 51:6 “Lift up your eyes to the heavens, And look on the earth beneath. For the heavens will vanish away like smoke, The earth will grow old like a garment, And those who dwell in it will die in like manner; But My salvation will be forever, And My righteousness will not be abolished.”

When God gives His Word, He keeps it! We need to keep in mind three observations:

1.  God’s view of time.

2.  God’s love for man. 

3.  Gods prophetic declaration. The Lord means what He says:

vs.9 “He is not slack concerning His promises From a human standpoint the years keep passing by but we know "the day of the Lord will come" (vs.10) We dare not forget it. In fact we should alway be ready tor it.

Have you made your decision to receive Christ? 

Have you made your decision to live for Christ?