Why God
Waits
Pastor C. R. Stam
St. Peter was not wrong when he declared at Pentecost that the
last days had begun (Acts 2:16,17). They had indeed begun, but God had a secret
plan to give the world a period of grace before putting down its rebellion and
sending Christ to reign.
This secret purpose concerning “the dispensation of the grace of
God” is the subject of Paul’s epistles. However, it is interesting to see how
Peter’s last message explains the reason for this interruption in God’s
prophesied program and the delay in Christ’s return to reign. First, he says in
II Peter 3:8:
“But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is
with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years years as one day.”
Mark well, this is not our feeble explanation now as to the delay
in Christ’s return. This statement was made at the beginning of this time of
waiting, at the dawn of the age of grace. But let us go on with Peter’s
declaration:
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise… but is
longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all
should come to repentance” (Ver. 9).
So the delay in Christ’s return to judge and reign should not be
counted “slackness” or laxness, but longsuffering. Thus the Apostle goes on to
say:
“And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation…”
Where did Peter get this information? How did he know about “the
dispensation of the grace of God”? Verse 15 explains:
“Even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom
given unto him, hath written unto you.”
To Paul particularly was committed “the gospel of the grace of
God” which we proclaim today (Acts 20:24). Peter recognized this (Gal.
2:2,7,9), and closed his second epistle with the exhortatio
“But grow
in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter
3:18).
King James Bible
The Preserved and Living Word of God
Posted By Cecil and Connie Spivey
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