Surely, I Come Quickly

But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.” ‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus is coming when people (the majority of humanity) are not expecting Him. Matthew 24:44 says “You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” NLT‬‬. When He returns, there will be a time of judgment upon the wicked inhabitants of the earth. The current heavens (the sky, the stars, the solar system, and all of the heavenly bodies) and the earth will be purged by fire. God’s Word Translation says it like this: “The day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that day heaven will pass away with a roaring sound. Everything that makes up the universe will burn and be destroyed. The earth and everything that people have done on it will be exposed.” ‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:10‬ ‭GW‬‬ The Amplified Version says: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will vanish with a [mighty and thunderous] roar, and the [material] elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and the works that are on it will be burned up.” ‭‭2 PETER‬ ‭3:10‬ ‭AMP‬‬ The New American Standard says: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.” ‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:10‬ ‭NASB‬‬ Studying the various translations of this text helps us clearly understand that there will be a cataclysmic (apocalyptic) event that will occur when Jesus comes again. This event will bring finality to sin, sickness, suffering, sorrow, and Satan. The current earth and heaven will be made new. This is the hope of all believers. Nonbelievers should fear this day. As believers, we should respond as John did on the island of Patmos (where he was exiled for his witness of Jesus Christ): “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭22:20‬ ‭KJV‬‬