We cannot fathom God's ways. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, his ways higher than ours, but we know this: "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7). And we have long believed that Peter may have been one of the prophets who was allowed to reveal these clues concerning God's timetable. Was it only a coincidence that he spoke first of the "creation" and then proceeded with 1 day = 1,000 years? (II Peter 3:4,8) I think not.
In Hebrews 4 we are told:
We also know that those people of God who enter into that rest will live and "reign with him (Christ) a thousand years" (Revelation 20:6). It takes very little deduction to conclude that there may well be a 7,000 year plan of God, culminating with the 7th day as a day of rest for 1,000 years. 6 days of labor, or 6,000 years for man to struggle and toil, and then a period of rest (after the pattern of the Sabbath day).
We all know this, but once again we need to stir up our pure minds. Why? Because of where we are in this plan. The creation is dated by Usher as taking place in 4004 BC. That means that (when we subtract the 1 year going from BC to AD) that 1997 will be exactly 6000 years from that date.
How accurate is that date? It is interesting that the creation date has been calculated over the centuries by many men, including Dr. Thomas (who picked 4089 BC). Septuagint ... 5586 BC; Josephus ... 5402 BC; Chinese Jews ... 4079; Origen ... 4830 BC; Martin Anstey ... 4038 BC.
The variations in dates are only an indication of the fallibility of man. The point is simply this: do not lose your faith (and your salvation in the process) if 1997 happens to go by the boards without the return of Christ.
The 7,000 year plan is not a cunningly devised fable. All things are not continuing as they were from the beginning of the creation. No man knows the day nor the hour but God is not slack concerning his promises. "For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry" (Habakkuk 2:3).
Again. the implication that his coming will be when men are sleeping. We are encouraged in Luke 12:
Yes, the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
The events of that day will be catastrophic; when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels:
Yes, let us not sleep, but let us stir up our pure minds by way of remembrance. Remember the promises:
That he would bruise the serpent on the head (Genesis 3:15). That he "preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed" (Galatians 3:8).
That the seed of Abraham was also the seed of David who would be great, and be called the son of the Highest, and the Lord God would give unto him the throne of his father David (Luke 1:32). That he would reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there would be no end (Luke 1:33).
That the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven would be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and all dominions would serve and obey him (Daniel 7:27).
Remember that he confirmed the promises with an oath, for when "he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee" (Hebrews 6:13-14).
Remember that as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven and returneth not hither, but watereth the earth and maketh it to bring forth and bud that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, that so shall his word be that goeth forth out of his mouth. It shall not return to him void but it shall accomplish that which he pleases and prosper in the thing where to he has sent it (Isaiah 55:10-11).
Remember that all of those things that "were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope" (Romans 15:4).
Remember again how he has redeemed Israel, making in one day a nation from the valley of dry bones. One nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel, who will have one king over them all (Ezekiel 37:22). And remember that "the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one" (Zechariah 14:9).
None of these words are new; they are things that an householder brings forth out of his treasures. We reach back into the attics of our minds and we remember so many of God's truths; so many of those wonderful words of hope. "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (II Peter 1:4).
Remember that we have been told:
Remember all of the beautiful words written before by the holy prophets "Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King" (Psalms 48:2).
We all have our favorite verses of hope. Allow them to stir up your pure minds, so that by way of remembrance you may be mindful of those things that were spoken by the holy prophets and the apostles.
Why should we arouse ourselves? Why should we stir our minds again? Peter, after reminding us of the great judgments by fire that the heavens and the earth are reserved unto proceeds to ask:
Yes, there is a message – an exhortation – a purpose to our attempt to arouse ourselves in these final evil days.