Christian believers in trouble like to think of God’s final judgment. One day God will judge all men.
That makes it easier to bear the difficulties. Those who have wronged me one day will have to answer God! God will act as a righteous judge, and he will punish.
This concept helps believers avoid retaliation. They leave this to God.
On the other hand, Christians are called to warn other people: One day your sins will come upon you. One day, God will judge! Better you repent now!
In the Bible, You Can Read Much about God’s Coming Judgment
In the Old Testament, prophets often warned others. They said some impending calamity was a judgment of God.
In the New Testament, the emphasis is on the day of God’s final judgment.
Judgment Deferred
Meanwhile, more than 2000 years have passed since Jesus was born in Bethlehem. The message of Christ’s final judgment has been proclaimed for a long time now.
Some may conclude: No final judgment so far: probably, it will never come!
Even Peter, in his second epistle, has been dealing with this kind of argument.
“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, 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.” (2 Peter 3:3+4 KJV).
A Reference to God’s Love
Peter answers this argument. He says, God is longsuffering. He is patient.
God does not want men’s doom. He desires men should repent and turn from their evil ways. He wants you and me, and even evildoers, to return to Him and to heed His commandments.
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 NIV).
The very fact of deferred final judgment is a token of God’s love. He is giving us time. We still have a chance to repent.
Now, reread the Old Testament quote I have been sharing in my previous post. God says:
“Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways and live?” (Ezekiel 18:23 KJV).
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