DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY IS AN ESSENTIAL TRUTH OF CHRITIANITY

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After His resurrection from the dead, Jesus gave His disciples the Great Commission: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). 

God consists of three Persons in One God. The doctrine of the Trinity is not a secondary doctrine, but an essential truth of the Christian faith. The Scottish theologian Thomas Torrance (1913-2007) wisely wrote, “The doctrine of the Trinity is the central dogma of Christian theology, the fundamental grammar of our knowledge of God.” Any other definition of God is false. 

Some recent research sadly revealed that only 11% of Americans believe in the doctrine of the Trinity. This statistic is truly alarming. After all, God’s nature is a foundational component of Christianity 101. 

Christian baptism is always administered in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Oxford theologian Alister McGrath said, “The doctrine of the Trinity wasn’t invented — it was uncovered.” And of course, the place where this glorious doctrine was uncovered is Holy Scripture. When Jesus was baptized, we see all three Persons of the Godhead in action. “As soon as Jesus was baptised, He went up and out of the water. At that moment, Heaven was opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on Him. And a voice from Heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased’” (Matthew 3:13-17).

Any religious group that rejects the doctrine of the Trinity is clearly outside of Christianity. After all, anyone who rejects the true nature of God is walking in spiritual darkness (see John 1:5) and without the guidance of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 2:14). You see, it is a different spirit that leads people to reject the Trinity. The Apostle John wrote, “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

Two such false prophets were Joseph Smith, who invented the Mormon religion, and Charles Taze Russell, who started the religious sect known as the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Both men rejected the doctrine of the Trinity, and both men manufactured “another Jesus” (2 Cor. 11:4) and “a different gospel” (Galatians 1:6). Millions of Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses have been led astray by the terribly flawed teachings of these two false prophets. (This excellent resource reveals the heretical doctrines of these two religious organizations and how to respond with the truth.)

United Church of God and Oneness Pentecostalism are two religious groups that rejects the doctrine of the Trinity. They teach that the Trinity is a product of pagan mythology and Greek philosophy.” Oneness Pentecostals maintain that “the only real ‘person’ in the Godhead is Jesus. Thus, this religious group is often referred to as the ‘Jesus Only’ movement.” They baptise only in the name of Jesus, rather than the way Jesus instructed His disciples to baptise. 

Mike Barden is a former Oneness Pentecostal who said, “I realizsd that I had fully embraced ‘another gospel’ than the one in the Bible!” Mike also said, “The unbiblical view of salvation within Oneness Pentecostalism creates great and unnecessary spiritual frustration for anyone seeking salvation. Instead of understanding the amazing grace of God that immediately frees an underserving sinner from the guilt of their sin, people in Oneness churches are taught that they are not yet saved if they haven’t spoken in tongues.”

Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, United Church of God, and Oneness Pentecostals completely twist the truth of Scripture to fit within the doctrinal agenda of their false teachers. These groups attack the doctrine of the Trinity, thereby blaspheming God and corrupting baptism, even when some biblical terminology is used during their baptisms. The Holy Spirit does not participate in these counterfeit baptisms because these heretical groups have perverted the message of the Bible. There is a different spirit at play whenever fallen angels use false prophets as their mouthpiece to promote “another gospel” (Galatians 1:8). Scripture warns us about “doctrines of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1).

Christian baptism is built upon the true nature of God. And the formula for baptism, which Jesus gave His followers, contains the beautiful truth about our Triune God. Simply put, believing in the three equal Persons who make up the Holy Trinity is foundational to following Christ.

MY TRUTH OR THE TRUTH

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What are our psychologists teaching us about life? The latest is the “identity theory of life“. It is entirely subjective. It emerges from how we feel, what we think, and what we want. It is not beholden to our Creator, to any fixed standard outside of us. It is my truth, not the truth.

What does God tell us about life? he starts with “In the beginning, God...” Then when He has anything to say about human beings, He says, ““Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…

There is a truth outside of us that we cannot escape. It determines what we are and who we are. And yet the world rebels against that truth. Why? The Prince of this World deceived Eve:

“But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5

We want to be God and determine how we will live our lives. We do not want to live according to our Creator’s commandments.

We are made in the image of God. What does that mean? Martyn Isles in his book Who Am I? Solving the identity Puzzle says the following:

“Scripture tells us that the whole of God’s nature may be summarised in that sacred word “holy”. First, it means sinless and perfect. So Adam and Eve were made sinless and perfect. But holiness is also a short way of referring to all of who God is. It includes all aspects of His perfection – all of His character traits. So, God’s character traits were able to be demonstrated by mankind in creation because of their holiness, to radiantly image Him and reflect His glory this includes things like His love, grace, mercy, righteousness, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and so forth. Wow!

God made it possible for us to get right with Him and return to the right relationship. It could only be achieved by Jesus (God the Son) paying the price of our rebellion which was death. Jesus died so that we might live. He rose again from the dead and so will we to eternal life, first to reign with Jesus on this Earth during His Millennial reign, and then after the White Throne judgement, on a new Earth where only the righteous will dwell.

“They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.” Revelation 20:5-6

The Millennial Kingdom is next on God’s agenda for mankind. Are you prepared for what is coming? I was not and God narrowed my focus for a while so I could prepare the website http://www.millennialkingdom.net. May I suggest you go take a look and get prepared?

PROOF BIBLE AUTHORS INSPIRED BY GOD

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Just look at what God revealed to Isaiah about Jesus. Isaiah the Prophet wrote a stunningly accurate portrait of Jesus’ all-encompassing work before, at, and after the cross.

BEFORE THE CROSS

In Isaiah 53, he states “Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed” (Isaiah 53:1). This is an accurate prediction: not many continued to follow Jesus after some of His hard teachings (John 6:66). Not many believed it in the end. At the Cross, they all fled. The crowds liked the fish and loaves of bread, but they were not willing to follow Him.

Jesus was a carpenter (Mark 6:3), and he probably looked just like any other Jew of the day. What does Isaiah tell us about Jesus’ physical appearance?  

“He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53:2).

The religious crowd despised Jesus for claiming to be Who He really was. Did Isaiah predict this happening?

“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” Isaiah 53:3

AT THE CROSS BEFORE AND DURING HIS CRUCIFIXION

When taken before the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilot we know that Jesus did not try to defend himself. Could Isaiah have been shown this simple fact?

“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.” Isaiah 53:7

Jesus took upon Himself the sins of the world, motivated by the love of God (John 3:16). Could Isaiah have been shown this 700 years before Jesus came to earth and in such detail?

“Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds, we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:4-6

“Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; He has put him to grief; when His soul makes an offering for guilt, He shall see his offspring; He shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. Out of the anguish of His soul He shall see and be satisfied; by His knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and He shall bear their iniquities.” Isaiah 53:10-11

AFTER THE CROSS

Could Isaiah have been shown details of Jesus’ death and burial? Once again in astonishing detail. We know that Joseph of Arimathea was the rich man who gave Jesus his own grave (Matthew 27:60).

“By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.” Isaiah 53:8-9

Does God reveal anything about the ultimate destiny of the nation, Israel, which He established for His purposes?

“For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion, I will gather you. In overflowing anger, for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love, I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord, your Redeemer. “This is like the days of Noah to me: as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be (forever) angry with you, and will not rebuke you. For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:7-10

Israel has a glorious future ahead with Jesus ruling and reigning with the Saints during His Millennial reign on this earth. Will you be there? Start living eternal now ready for Jesus’ return.

“They (Saints) came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4-6

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LIVING IN A POST TRUTH WORLD

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Pastor David Jeremiah got it right. Saying Christians are living in a “post-truth world,” last Sunday at Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California, he urged believers to be bold stewards of God’s Word even as the culture continually rejects it.

Truth, he said, is “little by little just disappearing from our culture.”

“What happens now is people have an end in mind, and they just take the facts and the information, and they manage it to arrive at the end, which they’ve already perceived, what they’ve already determined,” Jeremiah said before referencing the biblical standard: “Truth is objective. Truth isn’t changeable. If it’s true, it’s true. … There’s no such thing as true, truer and truest.”

“We live in a post-truth world, which means the Word of God is more important than it has ever been,” Jeremiah said. “Post-truth means it used to be truth, but it’s not truth to us now. Post-truth is a word that describes our culture today.”

For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue. Psalms 5:9

In a post-truth world, Jeremiah said, it’s essential that Christians are “stewards of the truth” and “stand up” for the Bible.

Jeremiah referenced multiple verses, including 1 Corinthians 4:1, which calls Christians “stewards of the mysteries of God,” and 1 Thessalonians 2:4, which says believers are “entrusted with the gospel.”

“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:1

“For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.” 1 Thessalonians 2:3-4

“This is the greatest treasure that we have – apart from our salvation,” Jeremiah said of the Bible. “

The Word of God should be treasured, taught, listened to, and loved. We are stewards of truth.

 

ABSOLUTE TRUTH – OTHERWISE LAWLESSNESS ABOUNDS

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Skillet frontman John Cooper is calling out what he described as the “woke ideology” permeating the church, arguing it’s “wrecking Christianity.”

He said, “You can’t believe in God and not believe in absolute truth, obviously, because one negates the other. Yet, that is what’s actually happening in Christianity.”

Cooper said he went through something of an awakening around 2016, recalling reading nearly 200 books in hopes of understanding the rapidly changing culture in which we live. Ultimately, Cooper explained, he came to the realization that people “don’t believe in absolute truth anymore.”

That conclusion led him to become “outspoken” about what he sees as a problematic cultural shift that is infiltrating Christian communities.

In his book, “Awake and Alive to Truth,” Cooper argues we “are living in a time that can best be described as a philosophical stew,” suggesting it’s highly influenced by postmodern thought. He relies on the following definition of postmodernism from Encyclopedia Britannica editor Brian Duigan:

A late 20th century movement characterized by broad skepticism, subjectivism, or relativism; a general suspicion of reason; and an acute sensitivity to the role of ideology in asserting and maintaining political and economic power.

The data seems to bear out the presumption that society is trending toward moral relativism and postmodernism. A recent study from the Barna Group found that a majority of teens and young adults — 65% — agreed with the claim that “many religions can lead to eternal life.” In addition, 31% of the survey’s participants said they “strongly agree” that what is “morally right and wrong changes over time, based on society.” Forty-three percent said they “somewhat” agree with that claim.

Cooper urged Christians to “be extremely vigilant about the Word of God,” suggesting a relativistic worldview will encourage some to reinterpret Scripture based on a cultural understanding untethered from absolute truth.

Of course this is exactly what is happening and it is what the Bible prophesied would happen in the last days before Jesus returns, first to take the Saints to heaven, and then to pour out His wrath on an unbelieving world with the trumpet and bowl judgements.

When He (Jesus) opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” Revelation 6:12-17

Sadly, Jesus tells us that prior to His return people will be like they were in Noah’s day when God judged the world and all but eight people perished in a worldwide flood, lawlessness will abound.

“And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” Matthew 24:12

TAKEN CAPTIVE THROUGH PHILOSOPHY AND EMPTY DECEPTION

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“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception [pseudo-intellectual babble], according to the tradition [and musings] of mere men, following the elementary principles of this world, rather than following [the truth—the teachings of] Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity (the Godhead) dwells in bodily form [completely expressing the divine essence of God]” (Colossians 2:8 -9 AMP).

Political correctness is a control issue and a bullying tactic, used by the politically left special interest groups, and their fake news media outlets, to oppose and oppress free speech and religious freedom. They quickly label anyone and everyone who disagrees with their unnatural, crazy worldview, as a bigot, racist, and every other derogatory name they can come up with.  

You know we live in a mad, crazy, politically correct world, when the natural is unnatural and the unnatural is natural; when right is wrong and wrong is right; when normal is abnormal and abnormal is normal. In this world, God does not exist or if acknowledged is powerless and homosexuality, trans genders, same sex marriage are all acceptable lifestyle choices. God’s laws on sexuality and morality are unacceptable.

The further down the political correctness road you go, the further away you get from common sense. God has given each of us a conscience. In our hearts we know what is right and wrong but a rebellious spirit is increasingly evident in society. This should not come as a surprise to Christians that rightly discern the Word of God. Godlessness, lawlessness will abound in the last days before Jesus returns. Moreover, even though Jesus and glorified saints are ruling here on the earth during the Millennium. Scripture tells us they need to do so with a “rod of iron”. People, at least some, will still be rebellious not wanting to submit to God’s laws, God’s commandments. It appears the Millennium is a transitional period, the curse has not been totally lifted off the earth as people still die and people will still need to repent and accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour in order to inherit eternal life. We know Satan is bound for most of the thousand years but he is released at the end and is still able to assemble a great army to come against Jesus. The following Scripture reveals the outcome.

“And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Revelation 20:7-10

Judgment Before the Great White Throne

“Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:11-15

The New Heaven and the New Earth

​” Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:1-4

IS WHAT I BELIEVE TRUE?

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I CAN’T THINK OF ANYTHING MORE TRAGIC THAN LIVING LIFE WITH A FALSE SENSE OF REALITY.

I am certain God exists because I have the Holy Spirit resident in my spirit. The Holy Spirit came to be my counsellor, teacher and comforter when I repented of my godless lifestyle, recognised who Jesus is and what He had accomplished for me by dying on the Cross.

God has revealed in His Word why this world is as it is with pain, death and suffering. True history reveals that God is involved in this worlds events. The extent of man’s rebellion against God was revealed when God destroyed all of mankind except one family that He preserved on a massive boat. The fossil record – dead things buried all over the world including fossil fuels demonstrates the truth of God’s judgement with a world wide flood.

Next God established the nations and caused them to disseminate throughout the world when He created new languages for each people group at Babel. There is no other sensible explanation for the languages or existence of tribes and nations.

God then established Israel as His nation to show the world His rules for fallen mankind living on His planet. At the outset, Israel knew that God would bless them if they obeyed but would judge them if they disobeyed (blessings and curses). God gave them His calendar with appointed Feast Days and the design for a Temple where sacrifices were to be offered as an atonement for sin. These sacrifices were but a foreshadow of God’s son, Jesus, ultimate sacrifice to provide a way for mankind to come back into a relationship with our heavenly Father.

JESUS entered history at the appointed time to establish His church and to divide history into BC and AD.

Israel has clearly demonstrated mankind’s inability to live according to God’s Laws and of course God knew that beforehand. Moses prophesied this would be the case prior to Israel even going into the Promised Land. He said they would be scattered throughout the nations and that only prior to Jesus return to this earth would Israel be regathered and reestablished as a nation ready for Jesus to rule and reign with a rod of iron for 1000 years. Israel’s very existence is proof God exists.

Ultimately, the belief that is true will be consistent with the real world and the one which is untrue will present a view of life that is not in harmony with reality. The paradigm that this world evolved from nothing by chance is a view of life that is not in harmony with reality. Nothing comes from nothing and this complex world where DNA (a word made up of many letters) is the building block of all living things reveals that God’s Word reveals the truth.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-5

In this brief treatise on world history showing when God intervened to control the outcome, I have made no mention of God’s adversary Satan and his involvement to upset God’s plan for mankind. Satan deceives mankind. His ultimate aim is their destruction. However, he was created by God. He is a spiritual being in rebellion against God and is unable to do anything outside of God’s control. We need to understand that when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and followed Satan’s lead they gave their sovereignty of this earth to him. If we do not repent and except God’s forgiveness through Jesus sacrifice on our behalf then we continue to be under the authority of Satan and will do evil continually.

What is your world view does it line up with reality?

WHAT IS TRUTH?

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TRUTH IS PRECIOUS BEYOND ALL MEASURE – THAT WHICH AGREES WITH FINAL REALITY.

Ultimately, only our Creator can know the TRUTH of His creation, the WHY, HOW, WHEN and WHERE. Fortunately, our Creator has revealed the TRUTH to us in His Word, The Bible. The proof of its authenticity is PROPHECY. Much of the Bible is prophecy. It reveals future events, e.g. there were more than 300 prophecies of Jesus first coming, many 700 years before the events took place. Moreover, there are far more prophecies about Jesus second coming and many are unfolding in our time.

When Jesus was brought before the Roman Governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate, prior to His crucifixion, Pilate asked Jesus “What is truth?” This question was prompted by a previous question to Jesus: “Are you a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I am come into the world, that I should bear witness to the TRUTH. Everyone who is of the TRUTH hears My voice.“ John 18:37   

Jesus said to Thomas, I am the way, the TRUTH and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever, even the SPIRIT OF TRUTH, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees or knows Him; but you know Him for He dwells with you and be in you..” John 14:16

Jesus prayed to our heavenly Father, “Sanctify them by your TRUTH. Your word is TRUTH.” John 17:17

“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the TRUTH and the TRUTH shall set you FREE.” John 8:31-32

Sadly, Paul tells us what the world has done: “exchanged the TRUTH of God for the LIE, and served and worshiped the creature rather than the Creator.” Romans 1:25

Originally, the purpose of education had the right foundation – main end of a person is to know God, so Theology was the basis for all other study. Biblical truth was the foundation on which all else: ideas , philosophy etc was built. True education was built on a Biblical foundation and Christian principles. Listen to this short video on Harvard, as to its origin and purpose.

That has all changed due to materialism/evolution, liberalism, secularism, humanism. Cultural elites have grown hostile to Biblical Christianity, accepting evolution as fact. One of Satan’s greatest lies is evolution, substituting it for creation, as the basis for the origin of God’s Cosmos. Check out http://www.creation.com for all you need to counter this lie.

Deception is far more common than truth today. This is why things reported in the media are now more likely to be false or at least distorted. You can also now count on the same from most of the pulpits in the American church. The message of the typical American church today would be unrecognisable to the apostles of the first century. The same is true in most of the western world.

The disconnect from truth has come the same way in the media that it has in the church. Of course, this is not true in every church or the entire media. It’s easy to see in the media how there is now a tendency to report what they want to be true rather than what is true. Is that not how we have changed the gospel, the church, and even our concept of God into what we want them to be rather than how they are?

As mentioned, there are many end times prophecies. Peter talks of the mockery in the Last Days.  “Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the “last days”, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming (Jesus Second Coming)?” For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation. For this they wilfully forget ; that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed  perished being flooded by water (Noah’s Flood). But the heavens and the earth which now exist are kept in store by the same word, reserved for fire until the day of judgement and perdition of ungodly men.” 2 Peter 3:3-7

Note: they wilfully forget God judged the entire earth with Noah’s Flood just 4,000 years ago, only eight people survived. Otherwise, the prophesied coming judgement with fire may also be true.