But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
2 Peter 3:8-9
But, continues Peter, even if things were seeming to go on just as they have always done, it still would not mean that the promise of His coming was a vain hope. There is another interpretation of the long continuation of the 'status quo', and it is that a) distinctions of long and short time are nothing in the sight of the Lord; a thousand years are as a day to Him, and delay is therefore purely a human conception and b) in any case, the 'delay' is due to the mercy and longsuffering of a God Who is not willing that any should perish. He is 'delaying' the inevitable judgment upon sin long beyond its due and proper fulfilment because in spite of everything He willeth not the death of the sinner. How different is this 'real' picture of the God of judgment from the evil caricature so often in the minds of men of a harsh, loveless Tyrant. God does not delight in judgment; judgment is His 'strange' work, and when it has to be, His eyes are filled with tears (see Luke 19:41-44): If only men could see that the heart of God is yearning over them with an infinite longing for their salvation! That is what God is like, and He Who has such a concern for our eternal welfare shows the same pity and compassion for our temporal needs. He is a God we may safely trust and love.