Hasten the Day?

[SavedForever]

I have been hearing more and more claims about our ability to hasten the coming of the Lord, based upon the text of 2Peter 3:12: "...as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat." (NIV). Can anyone think of any more scripture that would lend more/less credence to this claim? Also, to any of the Greek scholars: the verb used (speudo: GK4692) here can either mean to make haste or to desire earnestly. Is there anything to indicate one meaning over the other?

 

[Leah]

I have been hearing more and more claims about our ability to hasten the coming of the Lord, based upon the text of 2Peter 3:12: "...as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat." (NIV). Can anyone think of any more scripture that would lend more/less credence to this claim? Also, to any of the Greek scholars: the verb used (speudo: GK4692) here can either mean to make haste or to desire earnestly. Is there anything to indicate one meaning over the other?

No, Islam believes and teaches that.

But in Christianity, Jesus will come when the Father says its time. What we are to do is watch, and be found faithful when He does come.

 

[dkbwarrior]

Did somebody say Haste The Day? As in the band:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlUDSiHm8lg

 

[SavedForever]

Thank you for the response, but I was hoping to look at 2Peter 3:12 specifically. How do you reconcile its implication that the Body of Christ can speed the day of His coming with your viewpoint? (I would tend to agree with you that we don't really have much ability to change the date, but this verse certainly seems to speak to the contrary.)

 

[zaksmummy]

I cant point you to any more scripture, although Im sure there would be some, probably in the prophets, but have you ever heard of that saying "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem?" What does it mean?

Well this is what God showed me. Who can give peace to Jerusalem? Politicians? No, only the Messiah. Who is Messiah? Jesus. So if we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, what we are actually praying for is Jesus to return.

Also reminds me of this part of the Amidah Hebrew prayers

"Return to Jerusalem, Your city, and dwell in her midst as You have spoken. May you built it soon and in our days as an eternal building, and prepare the throne of David with in it quickly. Blessed are you Lord of God, Builder of Jerusalem."

 

[zaksmummy]

I was reading Isaiah this morning and Im sure that this is the prove text for anything relating to hastening the return of the Messiah.

Isaiah 62v6
I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem;
they will never be silent day or night.
You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest,
and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem
and makes her the praise of the earth.