Ed Walsh
Puritan Board Senior
Greetings beloved of the Lord,
Do our prayers affect the future?
2 Peter 3:11-13 ESV
11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,
12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!
13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
In verse 12, the word 'hastening' (σπεύδω) is interesting.
Transliteration: speudō
Pronunciation: spyoo'-do
Of the serious translations below, only one has the meaning of "desiring" the Day of the Lord's return.
ESV - hastening the coming
ASV - earnestly desiring
NIV - speed its coming
CSB - hasten its coming
NASB - hastening the coming
NKJV - hastening its coming
MSG - eager for its arrival (just kidding)
Are we being told that our Godly living and praying can hasten the Day of the Lord? Or is it simply expressing a desire for the Day?
The same questions could be asked of a similar sentiment at the end of The Book of Revelation.
Revelation 22:20 ESV
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
In Acts 22:18, the same word is used as a command.
"and saw him (Jesus) saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’
What think ye?
Do our prayers affect the future?
2 Peter 3:11-13 ESV
11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,
12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!
13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
In verse 12, the word 'hastening' (σπεύδω) is interesting.
Transliteration: speudō
Pronunciation: spyoo'-do
Of the serious translations below, only one has the meaning of "desiring" the Day of the Lord's return.
ESV - hastening the coming
ASV - earnestly desiring
NIV - speed its coming
CSB - hasten its coming
NASB - hastening the coming
NKJV - hastening its coming
MSG - eager for its arrival (just kidding)
Are we being told that our Godly living and praying can hasten the Day of the Lord? Or is it simply expressing a desire for the Day?
The same questions could be asked of a similar sentiment at the end of The Book of Revelation.
Revelation 22:20 ESV
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
In Acts 22:18, the same word is used as a command.
"and saw him (Jesus) saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’
What think ye?