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. (2 Peter 3:10, NKJV)
Not a few have tried to predict when Jesus will return. To date, all have failed, and we have no reason to doubt that record will remain unbroken. This is not to say the Lord will not return; He certainly will. But, since He will come like a thief comes – suddenly and without warning – no one on earth knows when it will happen (see 1 Thess. 5:1-3; Matt. 25:13). When Jesus does return the material world will be consumed in an instant. His return will not herald a paradisiacal earth, for “the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up”. The impending destruction of this world is our incentive to “holy conduct and godliness” (2 Pet. 3:11). Belief in the return of the Lord Jesus Christ compels us to be prepared by diligently following Him each day. Are you ready for the day of the Lord?
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