They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.”

2 Peter 3 4

Yesterday I mentioned a little about the Old Faithful geyser at Yellowstone National Park, but there are many geysers in the area and some of them are larger and more impressive, but also much more difficult to predict. The Grand Geyser erupts to a height of 160 feet or so and we noticed the prediction window was 9:30 PM + or – 135 minutes. They predicted the Grand to go off, but it could have been anytime between 7:15 and 11:45. That’s a long time to wait for a fireworks show of water and steam, but we waited.

There were several waiting at the beginning, but by the time the geyser erupted at 10:59 PM there was only a geyser enthusiast named Ben and a couple from Belarus and their five year old son, Misha. Ben told us what to look for to anticipate the eruption and just before the main event, he announced it with some certainty.

Waiting is the hardest part, especially for Americans who long for the predictability of Old Faithful.

People in the first century questioned Jesus’ promise to the return for His people. In the verse above, Peter quotes those skeptics who maintained that everything continues on just as it was before.

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

2 Peter 3:8-10

Jesus’ return won’t fit inside a window like a geyser at Yellowstone. Only the Father knows the time, but consider God’s patience for those who will believe, “not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” I have several people in mind who I hope and pray will turn to the LORD. How about you?