In his second letter, the apostle Peter considered Jehovah’s timetable for establishing a “new heavens and a new earth.” (2 Pet. 3:13) He noted that some ridiculers raised doubts as to whether God would ever intervene in human affairs. They wrongly argued that nothing would happen, that “all things [were] continuing exactly as from creation’s beginning.” (2 Pet. 3:4) Peter wanted to counteract such faulty reasoning. He wrote: “I am arousing your clear thinking faculties by way of a reminder.” He reminded fellow Christians that the ridiculers were mistaken. God had previously intervened in mankind’s affairs, bringing a catastrophic global deluge.—2 Pet. 3:1, 5-7.
Haggai gave a similar exhortation to the disheartened, inactive Jews in 520 B.C.E. He admonished them: “Set your heart upon your ways.” (Hag. 1:5) To arouse their thinking abilities, he reminded his fellow worshippers of God’s purposes and promises with regard to His people. (Hag. 1:8; 2:4, 5) Soon after that encouragement, construction work restarted—despite the official prohibition. Once again, adversaries tried to scuttle the building project, but they were unsuccessful. The ban was rescinded, and in five years the temple was completed.—Ezra 6:14, 15; Hag. 1:14, 15.
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