Today’s 333 Devotional: “Can We Hasten the Lord’s Return?”
For God’s peace to rule in our lives, in the lives of others, and for Jesus’ return and for His ultimate rule of peace in this world, we have a personal responsibility.
“Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God.” (2 Peter 3:11-12)
Think about what is being said. Is it possible for us to hasten the day of Jesus’ return? And in the same way, is it possible for us to hinder it? It would seem that the answer is yes, and it will be through our living or not living godly lives.
The same concept of our personal responsibility is also seen if we want God to move in our land and in our lives.
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
If we want God to come and restore our land, we must humble ourselves, pray, and turn from our wicked ways. If we want to hasten the Lord’s return, we must live godly lives.
But there is one more thing. It’s called the Great Commission: to evangelize the nations.
Jesus said that until the gospel is preached to the end of the world, then the end would not come.
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)
Can we hasten the Lord’s return? Yes, by living godly lives and sharing the good news to the world. But in saying that the opposite is also true, by not living godly lives and sharing the good news we can hinder His return.
Something to think about