Not a popular message, conclusion

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. (II Peter 3:10)

We have been studying this verse in depth this week, and we've been reminded that the day of the Lord is absolutely certain, and that it will come suddenly.

Possibly the most unpopular portion of this message is that the only way of escape will be a relationship with Christ. Many years ago, geologists and seismologists began to talk about a possible eruption of a long-dormant volcano in the northwestern United States. There were small tremors, then larger earthquakes. The side of Mt. St. Helen began to bulge suspiciously. People were warned to be ready to flee at a moment's notice. Some refused to leave. Some were "on the job" as monitors and observers who thought they were in safe locations near the mountain. But the eruption was far more intense and far-reaching than anyone thought it would be....fifty-seven people died that day, and millions saw their daylight hours turn to dusk as the huge cloud of ash and smoke drifted across the United States.
What if the scientists told us a comet was going to hit the earth? One so large that no area on earth would be untouched? Then where could we go?
Peter warns us all that at the coming of Christ, the heavens will be destroyed, and the earth, and "it's works will be burned up." Doesn't sound like there will be any avenue of escape, does it?

It's interesting to look at that last phrase in several translations. The last verb is translated "will be found" in many manuscripts. The NIV (above) says "laid bare." The NASB says "burned up." The ESV puts it this way, "be exposed." I guess the idea is that those who thought they could hide their sins from God will be exposed. Nobody, no matter how clever they are, will get away with anything. So, no matter which reading is closest to the original, it's clear that there won't be anywhere we can go to escape this event. Even if you were an astronaut and blasted off in a rocket into outer space, it wouldn't help -- the heavens will also be destroyed.

Only those who are in Christ will be safe. I expect that Peter may have been thinking of Paul and Silas' words to the jailer as he wrote.

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” (Acts 16:31)

This is the way to safety on that day. It's not just a mental nod to the fact that Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again on the third day. It's seeing ourselves as sinners who truly deserve what Christ endured for us, and then humble acceptance of what He did.... giving up our selves, willing to do as He commands. This is obedient faith; this is faith that saves. God alone knows who has believed this in their hearts, but of course we may see fruit produced in the lives of others and have confidence in their faith, as well.

The last thing we see here is that all of man's works will be destroyed. Everything that humans are so proud of, all the accomplishments that we tick off as awe-inspiring and worthy of honors, will be gone! It will be a heat so intense that the very elements will melt (verse 12). Peter repeats this part of the warning in verses 7, 10, and 12. Was he getting old and forgetful? Nope! He knew that humans will procrastinate, and he wanted to make sure we "got it." He wanted us to heed the warning and get right with God. This is different from what Paul says in I Corinthians..... Paul says that our works will be tested with fire. On one side, the wood, hay, and stubble will be burned up. On the other side, the gold, silver, and precious stones will survive. Here is the difference: Paul is talking about the judgment of believers' works (not believers themselves), while Peter is talking about the destruction of sinners and of their works. Everything they worked for will go up in smoke.
Whatever is like the tower in ancient Babel, and done for the glory of proud and sinful man, will be a pile of ashes.
This is an old and familiar saying:

               Only one life, twill soon be past.
               Only what's done for Christ will last.

Are we living like we have listened to Peter's warnings?
Are we paying attention to the fact that a judgment day is coming; that it will come unexpectedly; that it will be disastrous for those who have not believed in Christ?

Surely we must be living each day as if He might come in the next few moments. How many people can we think of, that are not believers? Have we shared the good news of Christ's love with those people? Have we prayed for their salvation?

There's much work to be done!