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2 Peter 3

2 Peter 3 opens with a solemn reminder of the promise of the Lord's return, addressing skeptics who scoff at the idea of Christ’s second coming. The apostle Peter emphasizes the importance of living holy and godly lives in anticipation of the day of God. He also discusses the concept of time from God’s perspective, explaining that God’s apparent delay in fulfilling His promise is due to His patience, giving people the opportunity to come to repentance. This chapter closes by warning believers to be on guard against false teachings that could lead them astray, urging them to grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 3:1-10 (NKJV)
1 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder),
2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,
3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts,
4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”
5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water,
6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.
7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

Peter encourages believers to stay mindful of God’s promises, especially regarding Christ’s second coming, despite the presence of scoffers who mock the idea, claiming that everything has remained the same since creation. These scoffers deliberately ignore that the world was once destroyed by water during Noah’s time and that the present world is being preserved for future judgment by fire. The passage reminds believers that God's timing is different from human perception—a thousand years to Him is like a day—so what may seem like a delay is actually His patience and mercy, giving people time to repent because He does not desire anyone to perish. However, verse 10 warns that the Day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night, bringing catastrophic destruction. The heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will melt with fervent heat, and everything on earth will be burned up. This powerful imagery signifies a complete purification and renewal of creation, urging believers to live in holiness, not attaching themselves to worldly things that will ultimately be destroyed. The passage emphasizes that while God’s judgment is certain, His delay is an opportunity for salvation, reinforcing the need for repentance and readiness for Christ’s return.

2 Peter 3:11-13 (NKJV)
11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Given the impending destruction of the world, Peter emphasizes the need for believers to live in holiness and godliness. This lifestyle reflects an active wait for the day of God, a day that hastens the renewal of creation—new heavens and a new earth where righteousness resides. This forward-looking hope serves as motivation for ethical living in the present.

2 Peter 3:14-18 (NKJV)
14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,
16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;
18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

In his concluding remarks, Peter urges believers to be diligent in living peacefully, spotless, and blameless, highlighting that the patience of the Lord is intended for salvation—a theme Paul also writes about, though some find his letters difficult and misinterpret them. Peter warns against being swayed by false interpretations and encourages growth in grace and knowledge of Christ, emphasizing that glory belongs to Jesus both now and forever.

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