## Day the Earth Melts

## II Peter 3:7-10

- The Day the Earth Stood Still
- The Day The World Ended
- The Crack in the World
- The Earth Dies Screaming
- The Last Man On Earth
- The Day the Earth Melts

Five of those titles were to Science Fiction movies produced in the 50's and 60's; the last one is the title to my message this morning: The Day the Earth Melts. At times, the Bible astounds us with its message. It is both historical and prophetical! It is filled with important information that each of us needs to know. It tells us about our beginning, but it also outlines for us our ending.

Read: 2 Peter 3:7-10

That passage reads like science fiction, but it isn't from the imagination of some author who wants to sell a story; it is the inspired Word of God! And as such, we know that it is true! Peter tells us that there is coming a day when the world as we know it now, will be burned up with fire. It will melt! Things that we never imagined could burn will melt. The concrete in the foundation of this church building will melt and burn up. Our cities, our homes, our cars, everything that is now will one day melt. That is difficult to imagine isn't it? Remember the WTC towers; they crumbled due to the intense heat.

I. How Will This Happen?

A. It could be…

1. Any number of scenarios could result in the earth being burned up with a fervent heat.

2. Some think of a nuclear blast. (Nuclear War)

3. Others consider the possibility of a meteor striking the earth and sending it hurdling toward the Sun.

4. But all of that is speculation and science fiction.

B. It will be according to His Word.

1. The world, as we know it, was created by the Word of God. v5

2. The world is now being held together, waiting for judgment by the same Word. v7

3. The same Word that created the world, the same Word that keeps this world together, is the Word that will cause it to melt.

4. God who spoke the world into existence, doesn't need Sadaam Hussein, Osam Bin Laden, or any other political figure to destroy the world.

5. He can simply speak, and it will be so.

II. When Will This Happen?

A. The 'Day of the Lord'

1. This speaks of an extended period of time.

2. The beginning is signaled as the believers are caught up or raptured out of this world.

3. It includes the seven years of tribulation, the millennium, the great white throne judgment of all unbelievers, and concludes with the total destruction of the present world.

4. It will come 'as a thief in the night'.

a. This phrase speaks of the suddenness and unexpectedness of the destruction.

b. A thief doesn't advertise that he is coming to rob your house.

c. He comes when you are not expecting him to show up.

B. The day of the Lord is a time that directly relates to Israel and the unbelieving world.

1. The events of the tribulation, the second coming of Christ, and the millennium are primarily directed toward Israel.

2. When Paul wrote to the believers in Thessalonica to encourage them concerning the return of Christ, he used this same phrase.

3. However he made the distinction between those in the light and those in darkness.

4. Jesus is the Light of the world; to know Him personally is to be in the light.

Col 1:12-13 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

5. Note: 1 Thess. 4:16-5:5

C. When the Lord says it is time, it will happen.

1. Jesus came into this world according to God's time schedule, not according to man's.

2. He was crucified exactly when God intended.

3. He was resurrected and ascended into heaven all in accordance with God's timing.

4. And He will return…when the Lord determines the time!

Mt 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

III. Why Hasn't This Already Happened?

A. The Lord is longsuffering…

1. That means He is very patient toward us.

2. He doesn't get in a hurry…He never rushes…He never gets behind…He is eternal.

3. His patience toward us is for a purpose.

4. We understand what that purpose is as we look further into the verse.

B. The Lord is waiting…

2Pe 3:9 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.

1. His desire is that all might come to repentance.

2. That means that He wants you to be saved.

3. He wants your parents, your children, your neighbors…all should come to repentance.

4. He is waiting for just one more person to come to Him by faith.

5. That is the only way we can come…

Ga 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

C. One day…God will say, "It is enough."

Mt 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

1. How was it in the days of Noah?

2. God used Noah to proclaim the coming judgment.

3. The message was one of grace, for all who were in the Ark were saved from the judgment.

4. Of course the Ark was a type of Christ, all who would enter in would be saved.

5. Noah preached while preparing the Ark for over 100 years.

a. I am sure some thought that he was crazy.

b. Some were sure that the judgment he said was coming would never actually come; but it did…

c. One day God came to Noah and said it is time to get into the Ark.

d. Then God shut the door, the only door.

Joh 10:9a I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved…

e. A door by its very nature and purpose does two things: it shuts you in or it shuts you out you get to decide which it will be.

This world will one day melt with fervent heat. Everything here will be destroyed. God's judgment is nearer now, than it was when the Holy Spirit used Peter to pen these words. Are you the one for whom God is waiting? Do you need to come to Him today, by faith, and be saved? Christian, what are we doing? People all around us are in darkness and need to hear the truth that will set them free. What will we do?