2ND PETER CHAPTER 3

NN. (2 Pet 3:1 KJV) in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

• The Apostle Peter gives the purpose for both of his epistles in this verse. It’s a simple aim; uncomplicated and easy to grasp. Peter, in polite terms, pleads, "use your brain!" He pleads for their "pure mind" to be used. That part of their mental abilities that hasn’t been polluted by the cares of life and the doubting words of skeptics.
• "Stir it up," he urges. "Get your thinking in gear." So often we allow the mind-set of the world (sinners, unbelievers and demonically influenced individuals) to set the agenda for the way we think. Peter insists that the Christian think in terms of what he knows. Remember what you have learned in your Christian walk and do not sacrifice that knowledge for the sake of relationships or appeasement.

• Read and know what the Prophets of the Old Testament taught about God and all His works. Pay attention to the commandments, the promises and the judgments. Understand that His Word to Prophets is a continuing Word and has not been, nor shall be, disabled. Put your trust in what He has already said and believe that it is a "sure word."
• In addition, remember what God has said through the New Testament Apostles and judge those words to be equal to the words of the Prophets. The combination of witnesses (Old and New) makes the task easier for us. We do not have to wonder, conjecture, argue, plot, scheme, or do any other mental effort. The Word has already been spoken and we are to remember it and believe it. We must not add to, take away, or privately interpret what has been written in order to accommodate anything or anyone.

PP. (2 Pet 3:3 KJV) that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

• There isn’t really anything unusual about scoffers who stand around and criticize. From the earliest of time, every generation of "God obeying people" have had to contend with the naysayers and mockers.
• The unique difference in the "last days" scoffers is that their purpose is more defined and direct. They now mock, not to fulfill a simple appetite for confrontation, but to satisfy their lusts against God and His Word. In addition, Peter seems to be saying that these mockers are people who at one time in their life were believers. Now their backsliding hearts are turned against God. In order to assuage their conscience and feel "good" about their rebellion they now "burn" with determination to "stamp out" the knowledge of God and His Words of promise. They "walk" or "abide in; live out" their lusts, having persuaded themselves that they are safe in their sins.

QQ. (2 Pet 3:4 KJV) Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

• Unbelievers always seek to justify their unbelief by making accusations which serve to magnify their ignorance. Obviously, a promise is a word to be fulfilled at some future date. The promiser is the one who sets the terms of the promise, not the "promisee." God did not say that Christ would return when all the "fathers; Old Testament personalities" were dead. In fact, He never even alluded to that.
• Since "all things continue" it ought to be apparent that the promise has not come to fulfillment. The absurdity of the scoffers mockery is enlarged by their own confession that "things continue". They know full well that when the Lord returns "all things" will not continue as they are. Their former "believers status" is revealed by the way they make comparisons to how it is and how is should be if the Lord returned. In ignorance they make fools of themselves. Their own argument is a snare for them.

RR. (2 Pet 3:5 KJV) For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

• It’s one thing to be "educationally challenged" and quite another to be "willingly ignorant." Again, here is a clue that these last days scoffers will be backslidden Christians. They know better but choose to ignore the truth.
• These are not "run-of-the-mill" sinners. These scoffers "know" what the Bible says about God and His creative/destructive works. In the past they trusted in His Word but now, due to their lusts and sinful hearts, they rebel against Him. They "choose" to deny the Word of God which gives the answer to the origin and finality of life. They have learned to put their trust in men and not God.
• When a Christian backslides (turns away from God and no longer serves Him) he will always be able to find arguments and personalities which will bolster His "anti-God" position. Scientists, atheists, evolutionists, and plain old sinners will gladly offer support to him.
• But, Peter’s accusation flies in the face of the scoffer. He strikes at the real root of the issue when he points out that their scoffing is a result of their "willing rebellion." Every person ought to take note: a backslidden heart will always be in a resisting/scoffer mode until, and if, that person repents and returns to God.

SS. (2 Pet 3:6 KJV) Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

• Verses 5, 6, and 7 form a brief world view lesson for all who will read. Peter, gives credence to the flood of Noah’s day and testifies that Gods’ final judgment is reserved until a future date. He is true to the Scriptural account of the creation of the world and the future destruction of the world. In matter-of-fact simplicity he rebukes the scoffers for their abandonment of prophetic and Holy Spirit inspired teachings.
• The anti-God belief system gives the responsibility of the earth’s future in the hands of mortal man. Giving himself god status, man thusly creates new and novel scenarios for the history of the world, status of the earth (formations) and the future of man (at best uncertain).
• To further enhance his god-like status man also must create some sort of accounting for the appearance of man upon the earth in history past. All of man’s effort are laughable. The best he can do is to link humans to animals (not much imagination) or trust in some accidental primordial ocean/swamp gas-mystery molecule spontaneous generation life-creating "miracle."

TT. (2 Pet 3:7 KJV) But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

UU. (2 Pet 3:8 KJV) But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

• I don’t believe Peter is trying to count days and years in this verse. I think he is pointing out that God is not limited by time and space. What seems like a long time for us may just be a moment with God.
• Peter pleads that we not be ignorant about this time continuum problem. Man is trapped by his own mortality which is linked to a period of time we call life (70+- years.) By it’s very nature, human life must focus on immediacy and does not function very well if it is too "past conscious" or future conscious."
• However, Peter points out that God is not restricted at all.

VV. (2 Pet 3:9 KJV) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

• Thank God for His willingness to deal with man over an extended time frame both in world history and individual human history. It is not His will that any person die outside of His care and provision. In fact, He has done everything to make that possibility non-existent.
• Christ, the Lamb of God, died so that no one would have to perish in the last days. Even backslidden and rebellious people can be forgiven and restored to God’s love and care if they will repent and obey Gods’ Word.
• God knows the devastation and destruction which will occur for those who resist His will and He provides a way of escape. Only a loving God would do such a thing. Judgment is inevitable but salvation is available.
• God does not give up on us. An acquaintance or friend may lose patience, hope or desire for our continued association. God is not like man. He loves us when we don’t deserve His love; He forgives us when we willfully go astray; and He welcomes (receives) us when we repent, though we come with our sins and our filth!

WW. (2 Pet 3:10 KJV) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

• The events and happenings of the end time lead many people to speculate as to the method and means God will employ to bring it all to pass. Matthew 24:43 (and other scriptures) indicate that it is not possible for us to know when Christ will re-appear. The scriptural emphasis is for us to be ready at any time for His coming will be without warning.
• The great error many people make is to put off their preparation until a later time. Peter warns us in previous scripture about that attitude. Firstly, we are to be aware of the times and the prophetically fulfilled scriptures which have occurred in world history.(Matthew 24:6,7 - and especially the restoration of Israel in 1967) Secondly, we need to think about the proliferation of horrible and nasty sins which are a sign of the depravity of man in the last days. (2nd Thessalonians 2:3,4) And, thirdly, we must consider the scripture ( Matthew 24:14) where Jesus speaks of the end time being preceded by the preaching of the Gospel to the whole world.
• Do not think that Christ’s coming will necessarily be without the world’s knowledge. The warning "as a thief" speaks only to the unpreparedness of the world. It does not mean that Jesus will return in a secretive and clandestine manner. To the contrary, His coming will lead to a cataclysmic purging of the earth and it’s inhabitants.
• Confusion and uncertainty reigns in the Christian world as to the timing and the sequence of the events of the last days. Prophecy "specialists" have their own versions of how everything will transpire. Most of the time, the "average" Christian is left with a fuzzy mental understanding of these things. In despair, many simply give up in their hope to understand.
• Remember ..... no one knows for sure about any of these things! It is mostly speculation and "prophetic guessing." Which means, you can believe the Bible for what it says without knowing how it will all happen. Do not be intimidated by your limited understanding of the last day events. The danger you must avoid is ignoring the fact that Jesus will return and only those who are ready to go with Him will leave this planet.
• In order to make the reader sit up and take notice, Peter gives the chilling scenario which will take place sometime during, at, or around the time of the Lord’s return. He describes a fiery ending to the heavens, the earth and the works in the earth. (No commentary from me is necessary to help you grasp the severity of this judgment!)
• Some people believe that Peter is describing a nuclear holocaust. And it does seem logical to assume that something nuclear may be in the works. However, as always, man wants to play God and this interpretation allows him to do just that. But, you must remember that God did not need man’s help in the creation of the world and he certainly doesn’t need his help in the fiery destruction of the world.

XX. (2 Pet 3:11 KJV) Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

(2 Pet 3:12 KJV) Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

• The $64,000 question is: "Now that we know judgment is coming on the earth, how ought we to live?" Of course, this question is not difficult to answer for anyone who has a smidgen of understanding of God’s Word. (Remember, Peter is writing to believers who, we assume, knew something about the Christian life.)
• Does knowledge, in and of itself, create proper action?
• If we believe God’s Word, and if we expect the Lord to return, and if we know the requirements of following Christ, does it not follow that we will do everything we can to be ready for the end time?
• Peter implies that holy conduct and godliness in the lives of believers will expedite the coming of the Lord. Whether that is a proper reading it is certainly true that we must be pure in His sight to be worthy of being part of the Bride of Christ. (Ephesians 5:27) Your holy living is proof of the Lord’s work in your life and your attention to this prophetic warning is proof that you are preparing yourself for His return.
• Verse 12 closes with a repeated description of the end of the world. It seems to me that Peter was very serious about making certain that his readers understood that these things will come to pass. By his citing of the judgment a second time we are made obligated to understand it’s importance and validity.

YY. (2 Pet 3:13 KJV) Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

(2 Pet 3:14 KJV) Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

• The promise of God is the significant element which keeps the believer strong in his faith. Look at the powerful witness of God’s Word concerning the creation of a new heaven and a new earth in the book of the Revelation.

• Now remember, this is the promise of God. These words are not from the mind or the mouth of a man, which would make them questionable and unenforceable. We know that man can not make a new heaven or a new earth. (Man is more skilled at being a destroyer and a user than a creator!)
• Righteousness is the glorious reality of the new heaven and the new earth. In our present state, we cannot comprehend righteousness to this degree. Our efforts toward righteousness are constantly and aggressively rebuffed by the enemy. The earth is full of rebellion and perversion; sin prevails as wickedness reigns.
• However, the believer knows that the promise of the Lord has not yet come to it’s final fulfillment. (This is the reason for Peter’s comments in verses 3,4, and 5 of this chapter.) The believer patiently waits for God’s promises to come to pass in all things. His faith does not weaken with the passing of time because he understands that time is man’s element (limitation) and not God’s.
• The word "diligent" denotes an effort made with constancy and persistence. If someone is diligent about a task you will observe a careful and attentive mind-set in their behavior. They will not be easily distracted or turned aside.
• It is that kind of mental and spiritual attitude which the believer must possess as he waits for the Lord. His constancy in righteousness will assure his purity and blamelessness. The knowledgeable believer understands that the responsibility for his peace with God is his own. Therefore, he will not allow anyone or anything to deter him from his goal. He wants to please the Lord and meet Him in peace and not judgment.

ZZ. (2 Pet 3:15 KJV) And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

(2 Pet 3:16 KJV) As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

• The message is this: "You need to thank God every day of your life that He hasn’t already passed judgment upon you!" It is the longsuffering of the Lord which causes Him to wait patiently for the sinner (or the prodigal) to come to Him. He is more willing to save man than man is willing to be saved!
• Where would you be if the Lord had not been longsuffering toward you?
• Peter acknowledges that some scripture is difficult to understand. He warns, however, that one must take care and not be influenced by the improper interpretation of those scriptures. Some people will simply re-state or re-form scripture to suit their own needs and doctrines. In every case concerning the doctrines of cult religions the scriptures have been "wrested" (twisted) to accommodate the interpretations given by unlearned (no Spiritual knowledge) and unstable (no salvation) leaders.
• The inevitable end to such action is: The ones who have twisted the scriptures AND all who believe the deceptions will be destroyed!
• Such knowledge requires that every sincere believer take extreme caution in their search for understanding. Many times in this epistle, the Apostle Peter warns every Christian to give serious heed to the quality and maturity of their instructors.
• If you are ever tempted to become involved in false doctrines or questionable teachings, remember the penalty ..... DESTRUCTION!

END . (2 Pet 3:17 KJV) Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

(2 Pet 3:18 KJV) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

• I find it very interesting that Peter concludes this book with a final warning concerning the possibility of falling away (backsliding) from "your own steadfastness." He is very insistent in his position about the possible influence of wicked teachings and the effect they have on the believer. We cannot afford one lapse of judgment. The danger is that one error will be like leaven and affect our entire life.
• The wicked always seek to change the righteous. Why?

• We must always be increasing our knowledge and understanding of the Lord and His Word. If we stop, or slow down, the enemy will use any means to side track us and turn our attention to other things. As time passes, our desire for spiritual truth diminishes and our appetite for material things (carnality) increases. This attitude sets us up for doctrines and teachings which appeal to our flesh.
• To counter this possibility, we must grow in Christ and the knowledge of Him. Our mind and spirit will be strong and healthy as we feed on His Word and worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. True and sincere worship, adoration and praise of the Lord (along with the knowledge of His Word) will shield the believer from the poison of false doctrines and false teachings.
• In conclusion, we ascribe to Him all glory and honor. We willingly and honestly recognize His Lordship in the earth, as well as in heaven, for all eternity.