God Desires That ABSOLUTELY NONE Should Perish?
Is that what is meant in 2Peter 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.” [2Peter 3:9]
1) If it was God’s will that absolutely no one at all should perish, then NONE would perish. Period.
Many Christians erroneously interpret 2 Peter 3:9. This verse actually says that He is long-suffering towards US or “us-ward” (in the original Greek). The “us” is those for whom Jesus Christ died – God’s elect. DID YOU GET THAT?
How can we be sure of that? Because we simply read 2 Peter 3:9 IN CONTEXT. So when we go back up to verse 1 we indeed see that Peter was writing to GOD’S ELECT:
“This second epistle, BELOVED, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance” 2Peter 3:1
The use of the word “beloved” is a very clear reference to God’s elect. If you have any doubts about THAT, just read Ephesians 1:6 which is a Bible verse that mentions the word “beloved” in a discussion about election by the apostle Paul. Therefore the “us” mentioned in 2 Peter 3:9 is referring to those for whom Jesus Christ died, the sheep, not the goats – the elect, not the reprobate – the redeemed, not those who die in their sins. End of story! Yet how many preachers will use that verse to try to make a case for universalism – that Jesus died for everyone who ever lived or who will ever live? It should be a “no-brainer” that Jesus could not have died for people who end up in Hell, since our just God does not punish BOTH the sinner and the Redeemer for the same sins.
2) God did not create the universe with flaws.
God created all things perfect, and even declared that it was all “very good” when He was done. It was man who sinned and brought forth the flaws. We are responsible. In Adam, we sinned. We are all sinners and we all fall short of the glory of God.
3) Jesus Christ is the “Lamb slain before the foundation of the world”.
So why did God decree that sin should come…and death through sin? To bring glory to Himself, a Redeemer. He desired to display and magnify His grace, love, and mercy! And because it pleased Himself to do such, He decided to do this by creating man, having man fall, and then becoming man Himself to redeem man in a wonderful display of His grace, mercy, and love. Since we all fall short of the glory of God… and since we are all are sinners, we deserve nothing but the eternal punishment of God. But God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever BELIEVES in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. And it is quite OBVIOUS that not everyone comes to BELIEVE in Jesus, but God does tell us that those who BELIEVE will not perish, therefore, ONLY those who BELIEVE have had their sins PAID FOR IN FULL by the Lord Jesus Christ and His sacrificial death on the cross at Calvary.
4) Finally, most people have a “view” of the universe and of God that is “man-centered”, as if God only exists FOR man – as if man were God’s CHIEF concern.
But what are we humans? We are rebellious hell-deserving sinners which we prove every single day by our thoughts, words and deeds. God’s ultimate “goal” is His own personal glory, and yes, God is using people as part of His plan. But God is the center of the universe, the Creator of the universe and even the purpose for the existence of universe. If God desires to display and magnify the glory of His power, His justice, and His wrath in punishing sinners, than so be it! Who are we to argue? Chapter 9 of the book of Romans explains this, whether you read it or not and whether you believe it or not.
“Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory” [Romans 9:21-23]
As it is, humans are always wanting “justice”, right? If a child is molested and murdered, the parents plea, beg, and fight for justice to be served, and the guilty to be convicted and punished! When they are, the victim’s families celebrate! Indeed, when the wrath of God is poured out on sinners, then the righteous shall stand and celebrate the glory of the Lord.
Yet it is also true that God the Father desires to have a Bride for His son and desires to share His glory with the saints. In this way God displays and magnifies His mercy, grace and love.
…but, strictly speaking, it isn’t about you, me, or anyone else. Its about God.
This is God’s universe.
…and He can do whatever He wants.
Are you going to stop God?
SOURCE: answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080427151309AA6jnRz (currently inactive link)
EDITED BY: RM Kane
SEE ALSO: Our articles on election, predestination and free-will for more clarification on this subject.