How Long Will It Be?

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. (2 Peter 3:8-10 ESV). In today’s world it is not uncommon for people to wonder how long something might last. The following is a list of some of the “life-expectancies” of common items: • A lightening bolt lasts 45 to 55 microseconds. • The average running shoe worn by the average runner on an average surface will last 350 to 500 miles. • A hard pencil can write up to 30,000 words or draw a line more than 30 miles long. Most ballpoint pens will draw a line 4,000 to 7,500 feet long. • Leather combat boots have a wartime life span of six months, a peacetime life span of eight months. • A group of subatomic particles known as unstable hadrons exists for only one one-hundred-sextillionth of a second (10 to the negative 23 second), less time than it takes light to travel a single inch. • A one-dollar bill lasts approximately 18 months in circulation. • Practice footballs used by professionals last two to three days, a playing life of perhaps five hours. Home teams are required to provide 24 new balls each game and these last only about six minutes of playing time. But, how long will it be before the Lord returns? That’s really the same question that the early Christians were asking, and to which Peter responded in today’s reading. How much longer must we wait for the new life that has been promised to all that believe? There are two answers that Peter gives. First, he reminds us that God does not count time the same way we do. He sees from the beginning to the end in one view and time is measured qualitatively rather than quantitatively (cf.: that a day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day). Secondly, and more importantly, Peter cites the patience of the Lord to make sure that everyone who can be saved will be saved before the end of this age (cf.: He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent). God’s mercy is a cornerstone of His character. The projected life span of a baby born in the US today is about 71 years, nearly double what it was at the end of the 18th century. The longest authenticated life span of a human being is122 years 164 days by Madam Jeanne Louise Calment of France. Even at that, how brief this life will be when compared to eternity! Jesus is coming again. And, I believe it will be soon. Take comfort in the mercy of God as He chooses the best time to return and prepare yourself and others around you for that time!