2 Peter 3
In this chapter, Peter addresses the certainty of the Lord's return and warns against scoffers who doubt it. He emphasizes God's patience and desire for everyone to come to repentance. Peter also explains that the Day of the Lord will come unexpectedly and calls believers to live holy lives in anticipation of that day.
2 Peter 3:1-2 (NKJV)
"Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 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,"
Peter reminds his readers that this is his second letter meant to stimulate their minds to wholesome thinking. He urges them to remember the teachings of the prophets and the apostles. His goal is to awaken them to the truths spoken in the past, emphasizing the importance of both the Old Testament prophecies and the teachings of the apostles regarding the future.
2 Peter 3:3-4 (NKJV)
"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? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.'"
Peter warns of scoffers who will mock the promise of Christ’s return, basing their skepticism on the apparent delay of His coming. These scoffers live according to their own sinful desires and claim that the world has continued unchanged since the beginning. Their denial is rooted in a disregard for God’s timing and a misunderstanding of His patience.
2 Peter 3:5-7 (NKJV)
"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, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 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."
Peter explains that these scoffers deliberately overlook the fact that God created the world by His word and that the earth has undergone major changes before, specifically during the flood in Noah's time. Just as the old world was destroyed by water, the present world is being preserved by God’s word for future judgment by fire. This reminds us that God’s word is powerful and unchanging, and His judgment is certain, even if delayed.
2 Peter 3:8 (NKJV)
"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."
Peter encourages believers not to interpret God's timing from a human perspective. God's view of time is different from ours. What seems like a delay to us may be just a brief moment to God. This verse emphasizes that God's promises are not slow or forgotten; His timing is perfect and serves a greater purpose that we may not fully understand.
2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)
"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."
Peter reveals the reason for the apparent delay in Christ’s return: it is not because God is slow, but because He is patient. God desires for all people to have the opportunity to repent and be saved. His delay in judgment reflects His mercy and desire for everyone to come to repentance, rather than a failure to keep His promise.
2 Peter 3:10 (NKJV)
"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 warns that the Day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief. When it arrives, the heavens and earth will be dramatically transformed. This cosmic upheaval signifies God's final judgment on the world. Everything, including the physical elements of the earth, will be dissolved by intense heat, showing the impermanence of the present world and the certainty of divine judgment.
2 Peter 3:11-12 (NKJV)
"Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 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?"
Given the certainty of the world's end, Peter exhorts believers to live in a way that reflects their hope in God. He encourages them to pursue holy living and godliness while eagerly awaiting the return of the Lord. The knowledge of the coming judgment should motivate believers to live lives that are pleasing to God, knowing that their present actions have eternal significance.
2 Peter 3:13 (NKJV)
"Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells."
Peter reminds believers of the promise of a new creation, where righteousness will dwell. Despite the destruction of the current world, believers can look forward to a new heavens and new earth where sin and death will no longer have any power. This hopeful vision of the future provides assurance and encouragement to continue in faithfulness.
2 Peter 3:14 (NKJV)
"Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;"
Because of the promise of a new heavens and earth, Peter urges believers to live lives that reflect their hope. They should strive to be found by God in a state of peace, without blemish, and blameless. This call to moral purity is a response to the certainty of Christ’s return and the coming judgment.
2 Peter 3:15-16 (NKJV)
"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, 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."
Peter emphasizes that God’s patience is for the purpose of salvation, pointing out that Paul has written about similar things. He acknowledges that some of Paul’s teachings may be difficult to grasp, but warns that those who are unstable or ignorant twist these teachings, leading to their own destruction. This is a caution to handle Scripture with care and seek to understand its true meaning.
2 Peter 3:17 (NKJV)
"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;"
Peter advises believers to remain steadfast and not be led astray by the errors of wicked people. He warns that even though they know these truths, they must stay vigilant and guard their faith against false teachings and sinful influences that could cause them to fall.
2 Peter 3:18 (NKJV)
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen."
Peter closes with a call to spiritual growth. He encourages believers to grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus, continually seeking to deepen their relationship with Him. The focus on Jesus Christ brings glory to God, and Peter emphasizes that this glory is eternal, both now and forever.