Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness . . . ? —2 Peter 3:11

Every time the Bible talks about our future, there is an exhortation to live a godly life. God doesn’t give us Bible prophecy to tantalize, entertain, or titillate; He gives us Bible prophecy to say, “Wake up, and pay attention! Be living a godly life because Jesus Christ is coming back again.”

Second Peter 3:11 says, “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness . . . ?”

We should keep God’s Word because His words are faithful and true (see Revelation 22:6). Every word is trustworthy and reliable.

We should also keep God’s Word because His coming is near. Jesus said, “Behold, I am coming quickly!” (Revelation 22:7). But God’s definition of “quickly” is not the same as ours.

It is like when my wife and I are getting ready to go somewhere. When I say, “I am ready,” it means that I am ready to walk out the door, get into the car, and drive away. When Cathe says she is ready, that is a relative term. It might mean that she has to put a couple of things away or maybe run upstairs and grab a sweater. Cathe and I define “I am ready” differently.

The Greek word translated “quickly” in verse 7 has less to do with how soon Jesus will return and more to do with the suddenness of the event when it occurs. When John is using this word, he is not using it in the sense of time as much as he is talking about a series of events that will happen in rapid succession once they start. It is sort of like dominoes that are closely stacked together. Once the first domino falls, it is fast.

He is coming quickly.