Chapter 6—Factors That Affect the Promise of the Advent

The Scriptures reveal that one of the reasons why God seems to us to be slow in carrying out His plan and promise to create a new earth for the righteous is because He desires to give everyone a little longer time in which to exercise their free will to flee from the wrath to come. Peter thus answers those who would doubt the certainty of God’s promise to bring an end to this world of evil simply because time has tarried:1856V 3.11

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.

Peter also declares that the children of God may hasten the Advent by exercising their free will. There is something that we can do about bringing the Advent nearer. We read, “Waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God” 2 Peter 3:12 (NRSV). Commentators have observed on this text:1856V 4.1

“God appoints us as instruments of accomplishing those events which must be first before the day of God can come. By praying for His coming, furthering the preaching of the Gospel for a witness to all nations, and bringing in those whom ‘the long-suffering of God’ waits to save, we hasten the coming of the day of God.”—Jamieson, Fausset, Brown, Commentary, Notes on 2 Peter 3:12.

That the coming of Christ is related to an action of human free will—the preaching of the gospel by Christ’s followers—is clearly revealed in our Lord’s prophecy as to the time of His coming: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:14.1856V 4.2