Will Jesus really come back?

Expository Preaching Outline on 2 Peter 3:1-9 – Beloved, this is the second letter that I write to you, in both of which I stir up your sincere minds with admonitions, that you may remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Savior, given through your apostles; knowing this first, that in the last days scoffers will come with mockery, walking after their own lusts, and saying: Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

Introduction to 2 Peter 3:1-9

Two thousand years ago, a man called Jesus Christ walked this earth. He was different from anyone who had ever lived before or since. He was different because he was God in the flesh. He came into the world to live a perfect life and die a perfect death, in order to make sinners justified and give them eternal life. After dying and rising again, he returned to the Father.

But before he left, he made a great promise: “I will come back!” (John 14:3). Many doubted this promise at the time, and many still do today. Perhaps there is someone listening to my voice who doesn’t believe that He will really come back. If you have doubts about His return, this message is for you.

Peter also dealt with people who doubted. In these verses, he answers their objections and offers genuine hope to all who believe that Jesus really will return.

Today, I want to ask and answer this question: “Will Jesus really come back?” As we talk about this, I also want you to ask and answer: “Am I prepared for this event?”

I. v. 3-4 – HIS COMING IS QUESTIONED

(Peter reveals the nature of those who doubt.)

A. v. 3 – His Character

They are called “scoffers” – they mock, ridicule, joke. These people amuse themselves by ridiculing the Word of God. Every divine declaration becomes a laughing stock.

B. v. 3b – Your Behavior

They despise God’s judgment because, if they recognized the truth, they would have to change their lives. This has always been the case:

In the days of Noah (Matthew 24:38-39)
In Sodom (Genesis 19:14)
And today too!

Men love sin so much that they don’t want to give themselves to God (if only they understood the truth about sin and its future!).

C. v. 4 – Their Complaint
They look back and, since Jesus has not returned in their lifetime, they conclude that He will never come. (Preachers since Paul have announced that His coming is near. Does the fact that He hasn’t returned yet mean that we are wrong? The world says “Yes!”, but the Bible says something very different).

II. v. 5-7 – HIS COMING IS RIGHT

A. Pedro says that critics are “willfully ignorant”. They refuse to consider important facts. Their vision is limited and they forget that God, not they, controls the universe. He can intervene at any time and do whatever he wants!

B. Critics also forget that God is faithful to His Word and always keeps what He says (Psalm 119:89; Matthew 5:18). (Christ’s return depends only on God’s Word. It’s the only witness we have – and the only one we need!)

C. Peter gives three examples in which God intervened and changed the world (all by His Word):

v. 5 – The Creation of the World (Genesis 1 – “God said…” – used 9 times! Psalm 33:6-9; Hebrews 11:3)
v. 6 – The Flood in the Days of Noah (Genesis 6:6-7; 7:17) – The scoffers of Noah’s day said it would never happen, but it did! God spoke!
v. 7 – The Fire to Come – One day, by His Word, God will destroy the world (v. 10). Mockers laugh, but it will happen! (God already has the materials ready)
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God has already prepared everything to fulfill His Word!

D. Christ’s return is certain. We have the Word of God:

Jesus (John 14:1-3; Revelation 22:20)
Angels (Acts 1:10-11)
Paul (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)
John (Revelation 1:7)

E. Mockers may laugh, but God will keep his promise. Jesus will return!

F. Peter’s point is this: Man ignores the truth in order to continue in sin and mockery.

III. v. 8-9 – HIS COMING IS DELAYED

A. v. 8 – A Reality to Consider
God doesn’t see time as we do. For Him, Jesus has not been gone for 2,000 years, but only “two days” (Psalm 90:4). The world, from His perspective, is only “six days old”. Never measure God by our clock. He is rarely early, but never late!

B. v. 9a – A Reminder to Consider
God is not “hanging around”. (Men are called lazy when they don’t follow other people’s time.) But God doesn’t answer to anyone! He is a God of order (just look at the universe). Everything He does has a purpose, even what we call “delay”.

C. v. 9b – A Reason to Consider
Why does God delay? Because He wants to give the lost a chance to repent. He doesn’t want anyone to go to hell (Matthew 25:41). Therefore:

He sent Jesus (John 3:16)
He calls sinners (John 6:44)
Delayed His coming (1 Timothy 2:4)
The final decision, however, is yours. “Come” means “make room”. You need to repent and receive Christ.
God waits, but not forever (Genesis 6:3 – he waited 120 years; today is his day – 2 Corinthians 6:2).

Conclusion of 2 Peter 3:1-9

It’s a fact: Christ will return! He will return for a prepared people. He waits because he loves you and doesn’t want you to be lost. He waits to give you the chance to repent. This is an offer of love. Are you ready to receive it?

The world may scoff, but when he comes, the question will be:

Will you be raptured?
Or will it be for judgment and hell?

God has already decided: He loves you and has prepared a way. Now you decide.

Heaven or hell?
What will you do with Jesus?

Will Jesus really come back? – 2 Peter 3:1-9