Bible Prophecy Warns Against A Careless Life
One of the strongest benefits of Bible prophecy is its influence in shaping character and conduct according to God’s law of life. There is no topic more central to Scripture than the prophecies that concern the Second Advent of Jesus Christ. And there is nothing more effective in keeping a believer’s life true and on target than the confident, real expectation that Jesus may return any time.
No one can seriously believe that Jesus may come any day, any hour, and not be concerned about preparing. Read the prophecy in the third chapter of 2 Peter as it unfolds in broad outline the drama of the future. The old order will be swept away and the new be ushered in (verses 7–13). So drastic will be the change that it is described as a great conflagration of the present order. It is a change that will affect every living person on earth.
The real issue will be survival, because nothing of the old order will be able to stand against the will and power of Almighty God. There will be no way to flee, no place to hide, no avenue of escape for those who are ungodly and rebellious.
How can one prepare for the crisis? The Apostle Peter offers this advice: “Since the whole universe [political] is to break up in this way, think what sort of people you ought to be, what devout and dedicated lives you should live! With this to look forward to, do your utmost to be found at peace with him, unblemished and above reproach in his sight.” Notice the qualities that will be preserved: “devout… dedicated… unblemished… above reproach.” (2 Pet. 3:11, 14, 17–18 NIV)
