How does Ezekiel 12:27 connect with 2 Peter 3:4 about scoffers? Key Passages • Ezekiel 12:27 – “Son of man, behold, the house of Israel is saying, ‘The vision he sees is for many years from now, and he prophesies of times far off.’” • 2 Peter 3:4 – “and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.’” A Shared Heart of Unbelief • Both statements spring from the same posture: unbelief toward God’s revealed word. • Israel in Ezekiel’s day dismisses the prophet’s warnings; mockers in Peter’s day belittle the promise of Christ’s return. • Psalm 14:1 shows the root issue: “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” Doubt of God’s intervention leads to practical atheism. Denial of Imminence • “Many years from now” (Ezekiel) parallels “Where is the promise?” (Peter). • The strategy: portray God’s timetable as distant or nonexistent to justify sin (cf. Matthew 24:48–49). • Habakkuk 2:3 counters: “Though it delays, wait for it; for it will surely come and will not delay.” Scoffing Breeds Complacency • When judgment or the Lord’s return is pushed off to “someday,” people settle into routine disobedience (Luke 17:26–30). • Ezekiel 12 shows Israel refusing to repent; 2 Peter 3 links scoffing with walking “after their own lusts.” • Proverbs 29:1 warns of hardening: “He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken…” God Answers the Scoffers • Ezekiel 12:28: “None of My words will be delayed any longer; whatever I speak will be fulfilled.” • 2 Peter 3:9–10: “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise… the day of the Lord will come like a thief.” • Romans 3:4: “Let God be true and every man a liar.” His schedule, not ours, prevails. Lessons for Today • Take God’s warnings and promises at face value; delay is not denial (Hebrews 10:37). • Guard against a cynical spirit; it dulls spiritual alertness (1 Thessalonians 5:6). • Live in readiness, knowing fulfillment can be sudden (Revelation 22:7). • Encourage one another with the certainty of Christ’s return rather than echoing the scoffer’s question (Hebrews 10:24–25). |
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