Prayer Establishes Our Rapture to God
Looking Forward

Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 3:11-14

Key Verse: 2 Peter 3:13

But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

Let me encourage you to take time to read the additional scripture reading section for today. It describes the end of this world as we know it. This worldly kingdom, that we are so familiar with, will give way to God’s new kingdom. God is preparing a new home for us. The early church looked forward to God’s kingdom. They “looked forward” by talking about it and living their lives in expectation of it! They also looked forward to it much like we would look forward to a vacation. Their hearts longed for the day God would end their suffering and take them to His new kingdom.

For a variety of reasons, you and I struggle to look forward to the new heaven and new earth with the same intensity as the early believers. I believe that Jesus understood that society and cultures would change. Conditions in which Christ followers would live would be ever-changing, but He wanted all Christians, no matter their situation, to anticipate His coming kingdom!

So, when Jesus taught us to pray, He included verbiage that would help us remember His coming kingdom! As we say, “Your kingdom come,” in any form, we focus on the temporary earthly existence. “Your kingdom come,” places our thoughts on our future home: God’s new heaven and new earth! By having these thoughts, the Apostle Peter, in today’s additional reading section, believes that they will lead to “making every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him” (2 Peter 3:14).

Father, what a glorious day that will be when you send Jesus to get me! Today, I will live in anticipation of that moment. In Jesus’ Name, amen.