2 Peter 3 — Remember the Words of the Prophets and Apostles
Introduction: Peter had written in chapter one about the benefits and responsibilities of our position in Christ, and in chapter two about the ever present potential of false teachers. In this last chapter he returned to the foundation laid for a solid walk of faith, and warns of those who will openly mock about the Lord’s return.
NOTE: Scripture passages are from the World English Bible.
A — Remember the Words of the Holy Prophets and of the Apostles
2 Peter 3 “1 This is now, beloved, the second letter that I have written to you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by reminding you; 2 that you should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandments of us, the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:”
Comments: Peter wants his readers to take note of the consistent message in both of his letters as he directs them to the sound doctrine of the holy prophets of the past before the appearance of Messiah, and that of the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus made provision for the saints to have a faultless teacher who also would remind of those things already taught. John 14:26 “But the counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you.” Those who received Paul at Berea used the Old Testament scriptures to make sure that his teaching was consistent with God’s truth. Acts 17:11 “examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” The written word and the Holy Spirit are provided that we might have a reliable means to examine leaders in subsequent generations to be sure they are grounded in God’s truth.
B — Mockers Will Come in the Last Days
2 Peter 3 “3 knowing this first, that in the last days mockers will come, walking after their own lusts, 4 and saying, ‘Where is the promise of his coming? For, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.’ 5 For this they wilfully forget, that there were heavens from of old, and an earth formed out of water and amid water, by the word of God; 6 by which means the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished. 7 But the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.”
Comments: Eight people survived the global flood by God’s grace, and God provided a covenant that he would never again destroy by water, all those who lived on the earth. Peter says that just as the ungodly choose to dismiss the reality of the global flood of judgment in the past, they will scoff at the return of Christ for the judgment that God will bring upon the whole earth. The Lord Jesus made comparison of the judgment during the time of Noah, and his future return for judgment that will find many unprepared. Matthew 24 “37 As the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” The Lord Jesus has told us that no one will know the time of his return, so we must realize that each individual must not delay to receive the grace gift of salvation by faith in Christ Jesus before it is too late. Galatians 6:7 “Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”
C — The Day of the Lord Will Come as a Thief in the Night
2 Peter 3 “8 But don’t forget this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing 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 be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.”
Comments: Peter wants to remind us that the Lord is not constrained by time, either short or long, and all of his work can be accomplished in an instant of time. But his mercy extends over countless generations to ensure salvation to eternal life for all that he has chosen. Psalm 86:15 “But you, Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth.” And all those who have believed but died before the return of Christ, will not miss the promise because they will be resurrected. John 6:40 “This is the will of the one who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son, and believes in him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
Paul used the same figure of speech as Peter when he wrote of how the Lord’s return would be unpredictable, and he gave comfort to the Christians that the consequences suffered would be only for the unbelievers. 1 Thessalonians 5 “2 For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night.” Even before the appearance of Messiah Jesus, scripture had recorded that the Lord would change the earth in a rapid fashion. The New Testament then provides further reason for our confidence as those who have placed complete trust in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.”
D — Look for New Heavens and a New Earth
2 Peter 3 “11 Therefore since all these things will be destroyed like this, what kind of people ought you to be in holy living and godliness, 12 looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, which will cause the burning heavens to be dissolved, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.”
Comments: Peter presents a question that should cause each Christian to take time to consider the answer within our own hearts, and whether the attitudes and actions of our daily living are consistent with the truth he has outlined. Do we allow our hearts to be drawn toward laying up treasure here on earth, or do we strive for holiness while earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God? Isaiah 65:17 “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” We also have these words of guidance directly from the Lord Jesus. Matthew 6:20 “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal.” The apostle John has recorded the message in Revelation that is consistent with the prophecies of Isaiah. Revelation 21 “1 I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away. 4 He will wipe away from them every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more. 5 He who sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’”
E — Grow in the Grace and Knowledge of the Lord and Savior
2 Peter 3 “14 Therefore, beloved, seeing that you look for these things, be diligent to be found in peace, without blemish and blameless in his sight. 15 Regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote to you; 16 as also in all of his letters, speaking in them of these things. In those, there are some things that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unsettled twist, as they also do to the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware, lest being carried away with the error of the wicked, you fall from your own steadfastness. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”
Comments: Because we look for the fullness of the new creation brought by Christ, Peter advises Christians to be diligent to be found in peace, and confident that we will be blameless in the Lord’s sight. He wants each Christian to hold fast to the truth given by the prophets and apostles, and guard themselves against the error of those who twist the scriptures and miss the salvation in Christ that is available to those who accept by faith his perfect sacrifice and reject false doctrine. Peter refers to Paul’s letters as scripture. Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.” Paul testifies of his personal benefit of the patience of the Lord to bring him to salvation. 1 Timothy 1:16 “However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience, for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal life.”
The wisdom and glory that belong alone to the Lord forever has been very evident in the writing of Peter, Paul, and other writers of scripture. Psalm 72:19 “Blessed be his glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and amen.” Romans 11:36 “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things. To him be the glory for ever! Amen.” Revelation 5:13 “To him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honour, the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever! Amen!”
Reflections in Prayer
Lord I want to have your Spirit within me to stir up the sincerity of my heart to grasp the truth from your prophets and apostles as recorded in scripture. There are indeed many mockers throughout the world today who follow diverse beliefs that deny the truth of scripture that you have judged all ungodly people within the earth once by water, saving only eight by your grace; and that you have reserved the earth for another total judgment by fire, for all who are ungodly, following their own lusts. I do believe that your grace and mercy has extended over centuries to allow those who will come to you by faith to make the number of your chosen ones complete. Your ways are past finding out for those you have created, and to you a thousand years is as a day, and a day is as a thousand years. Thank you Lord that your great patience has brought me to be among your chosen ones, and for that I give to you all my praise knowing that there was nothing I could offer to you to preserve my soul for your coming kingdom. Keep my thoughts clear so I will continually be prepared for your return, knowing that no one will be able to set an advance schedule for that unpredictable time. I want to remember that I am only a foreigner passing through this present perishable world and the works therein, on the way to my eternal heavenly home. Only through your enablement Lord can I live in a holy and godly manner, looking ahead and earnestly desiring the coming new heavens and new earth where righteousness will dwell. May I remain steadfast in my faith, so I will grow in the grace and knowledge of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To you Lord, be all glory both now and forever. Amen.
Published 31 August 2012