Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 20

January 20;      2 Peter 3:17;       229/260(III);        ‘Eyes on Jesus’

2 Peter 3:17 Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position.      NIV

This chapter concerns itself with the return of the Lord.  Many people, over the years have been absolutely fascinated with the rapture and the second coming of Jesus.  There have been many predictions by various ministers and unfortunately some have believed the predictions so much that they have done many foolish things.  The Bible tells us that no one, not even Jesus knows when the rapture will take place.  Only God the Father knows. If you know when the rapture will occur, add seven years and that will tell you when the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ will happen.  I do not think that some ministers who have made these predictions have done it for wrong reasons.  I believe that many truly believe that the predictions they make are true.  The problem I see is that if it gets Christians off of their ministry of sharing the gospel and leading others to Jesus, the believer has left their ‘secure position.’  The rapture will come when God the Father says it will come.  I am of the persuasion that there is no set time for the rapture.  That as long as the church is leading others to Jesus and revivals are taking place around the world, the Father will continue to wait since He wants none to perish.  Multitudes will be saved during the tribulation period, but the reality is that there will be great persecution of the church and the Father wants as many with Him as possible before this happens.  Our ‘job’ is to do the work of the ministry.  Be sharing Jesus until then.