Main Idea: How believers wait for the return of Jesus matters.

The Incredible Patience of the Lord Towards His People

• 8, 9 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
  • Psalm 90:1–4
  • Habakkuk 2:2, 3
  • Jonah 4:1, 2
  • Romans 2:4

The Sudden Coming of the Lord in Righteous Judgment

• 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
  • Joel 2:28–32

The Ongoing Practice of Righteousness While Awaiting Our Perfected Righteousness

• 11, 12 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!
  • 2 Peter 1:3–8
  • Matthew 24:14
• 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
  • Revelation 21:1–4

So What?

• Have I grown tired in my waiting for Christ’s return or am I persevering in a way that points others to Christ?
  • 1 Peter 1:13–21