2 Peter 3:1-18

(2 Peter 3:1-18)

 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after 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 the creation. 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: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 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. 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. 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.  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. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,  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?  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.  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;  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.  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.  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.

 

1 Peter is a letter written by Peter to give hope to the Saints when Christians were being hostile and despised by the pagans around them. Peter's second letter, 2 Peter, was written to emphasize confidence in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. When mocking "saints waiting for the promise of the Second Coming" appeared and deceived the Saints, Peter reminded the prophets' words of prophecy and the teachings of the Apostles, and gave them confidence in the Lord's Second Coming. 『Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 』

 

The last days mean the time between Jesus' first coming and second coming. The era in which we are living is also ending. Those who mock are false teachers who deny the end of the future, and their ridicule is a proud statement that despises and desecrates God. Although they denied the Second Coming of Jesus, the Bible continued to speak of the Lord's return. The Lord spoke directly (Matthew 24:34), and when the Lord ascended, the angels promised (Acts 1:11). The apostles also spoke firmly about the Lord's Second Coming (1 Thes. 4:15, 1 Pet 4:7).

 

However, false teachers concluded that since the creation, the world's appearance and laws of nature have not changed and are regular, and that the Old Testament ancestors have fallen asleep numerous times, but nothing has changed, that the world is only repeated and there is no Second Coming of the Lord. However, Peter earnestly communicates the Lord's heart to Christians. 『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. 』

 

Peter emphasized that the slow return of Jesus' promise to come again was not because of the power of God, as the false teachers say, but because of the long-suffering mercy and of God's long-suffering love. What God really wants is the repentance of all mankind. False teachers never knew that no one was exception because of Heavenly Father's waiting for everyone to repent. Repentance is self-denial. The greed that wanted to be like God dies with Jesus.

 

As the false teachers claim, the Lord will not come, but He will, but no one knows. He said that the Lord will come as a thief, just as it is unknown when the thief will invade. Peter tells Christians to earnestly yearn for the day with holy conduct and godliness, because it is unknown when the Lord will come again. 『Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 』

 

The figure of a Christian's life awaiting the Lord's return is holy conduct and godliness. Holy conduct means separation from evil and dedication to God. Believers are intimate with evil and cannot devote themselves to God. Also, being godly means being deeply religious and fearing God. Although the Lord's Second Coming is delayed, we do not deny the Second Coming itself or make excuses, but Peter exhorts us to fear God with deep faith in our place of life.

 

Finally, Peter exhorts Christians to grow in the knowledge of Christ. It is not simply to remain contented with salvation, but to continue to grow and stand strong in Christ's ransom grace and knowledge of him to fight against false teachers and mockers.