The third response to why God delays the Second Coming is that God is patient or longsuffering (2 Peter 3:9). In particular, this patience is directed toward sinners having a chance to come to God, who is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” The word perish carries the notion of being destroyed or lost. This destruction will be for all eternity. The term repentance refers to a change of mind. God wants us to change our minds about our sin (and its consequences) and embrace Christ’s work on the Cross as payment for our sin. God knows that not everyone will accept and trust Jesus for deliverance from sin. But His heart is open to all men and women coming to a saving knowledge of Himself. Such patience on God’s part actually demonstrates the marvelous depth of His love toward us (Rom. 5:8). I came to faith in Christ on August 18, 1974. What if God had decided for His Son to return before then? What would my destiny look like? I am grateful for the patience of God. But at some point, God’s longsuffering will come to an end, and the final judgments will arrive. Are you ready for that day to come?