Explanation
of Delay of Second Coming
"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." "nd account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you." 2 Pet. 3:9, 15
Longsuffering
in vs. 9 is the first expression
unraveling the argument. This word means long control of the impulse to destroy
wicked men. This does not mean that the Lord is overlooking sin. It means that
besides His plan to judge the wicked, He is also working out a plan to save
men. The two must be coordinated. In order to do this, He must long withhold
His burning wrath against the wicked. This long delay in the judgment upon the
wicked is not in any sense to be regarded as slackness or failure to keep His
promises. Quite to the contrary, it should be regarded as effort on the part of
the Lord to provide for the indecision and hesitation of men to turn to the
Lord (cf. 2 Pet. 3:15).
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