FINAL WORDS - 2 PETER 3

Final Words

2 Peter 3

Be Prepared for Scoffers
3:1-13

Peter reminded his readers that this was the second letter he had written them. The first letter is what we call 1st Peter. He wrote to stir up their memory of the predictions of the prophets and the command of Jesus for holy living as taught by the Apostles concerning the return of Christ. (v.1) He wanted them to remember what they had been taught and not be misled by false teachers.

Peter warned them that there would be scoffers in the last days who do not believe in the return of Jesus. The “last days” is the time between the ascension of Jesus and his return.

They will scoff because it has been a long time and God had not intervened in human affairs. In fact, things had basically gone on the same ever since creation. They would basically say everything is going on as it always has, so there is nothing to indicate Jesus is returning. And, if Jesus is not returning, neither will there be a final judgment.

Because they did not believe Jesus, they did not see an accountability for sins, and followed their sinful desires. (3) We often find that, underlying a person’s refusal to believe is a sin that they do not want to give up or be held accountable for.

Peter rebutted that thought by pointing out a flaw in their thinking, namely that God had historically intervened in history. First, creation itself was God’s intervention. He created the heavens and earth where there were none. He created it from nothing. He created it by his word.

Creation is a new work of God. Plus, he further intervened by bringing order to a world that was in chaos, without form and void. God formed it in a way that made it habitable for humanity.
Second, God deluged the earth with water so that the world perished. (6) “World” here means not the earth, which remained, but all life on it. It did not include the heavens.

And the people of Noah’s day also thought everything was going along as it always had, nothing would ever change, and they would not be held accountable for their sins. The destruction of the flood was a type of the final judgment.

God brought about this destruction by his word. By that same word he will destroy the ungodly on the day of judgment, when Jesus returns. (7) At any time, God can speak the word and the event of the end will occur, including the judgment.

So, God intervened at creation and at the flood and he will again when Jesus returns. The destruction or transformation at the end of the age will be like creation in that it will include both heavens and earth. It will be like creation and the flood because it will be accomplished by his word.

Peter also pointed out that, although 30 years seemed like a long time to mankind, it did not seem like a long time to God. Time with God is different than with us. (8) Peter said one day with the Lord is as a thousand years and vice versa. He may have had in mind Psalm 90:4, which says “For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night”.

Some people today use the first part of that saying literally to calculate days differently, but the point is that the Eternal God is not bound by time in the way we are. He transcends time. He is eternal, but our lives on earth are short.

Additionally, his delay does not come from slowness, but from patience. Out of his grace in patience, he allows time for others to come to repentance. (9)

But when the day of the Lord does come, it will come unexpectedly (like a thief). (10) I was once awakened by a thief trying to break into my house at 3 a.m. He set off the alarm system. I was startled because I did not expect it. It will be similar when Jesus returns. One minute we will think it is just another day like all other days and in the next minute he will appear and set into motion the events of the end.

Peter described the end of the age in graphic terms. He said the heavens will pass away with a roar and the heavenly bodies will burned up and dissolved. Psalm 102:25-28 says something similar:

Of old you laid the foundations of the earth,
  and the heavens are the work of your hands.
They will perish, but you will remain;
  they will all wear out like a garment.
You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away,
  but you are the same, and your years have no end.
The children of your servants shall dwell secure;
  their offspring shall be established before you.

We also studied previously in Revelation that there will be a new heaven and new earth. John wrote that the first heaven and the first earth passed away and the sea was no more. (Revelation 21:1) God said he would make all things new. (Revelation 21:5)

There is a debate among theologians about whether the earth will be destroyed or transformed. Although the language of burning up is used by Peter, it seems that somehow the existing creation will be transformed into the perfect place for redeemed humanity to live.

All of the works done on earth will be exposed. This is speaking of the judgment. (10) Sin will be brought out and punished. The false teachers can say what they want, but Peter assures us that Jesus will return and sin will be accounted for.

That being true, Peter asked a rhetorical question: what sort of people should we be as we wait for the day of the Lord? We should live lives of holiness and godliness as we wait. It will be good practice for us. The new earth will be one where righteousness dwells. (13) There will be no sin or evil.

Final Instructions
3:14-18

Peter closed his letter with some short bursts of final instructions. He repeated that we should be diligent to be found living righteously when Jesus returns. (14) We should be patient, knowing the Lord waits graciously to save others. (15) Peter said Paul also wrote about this. Notice he refers to Paul’s writings as Scripture. (16)

We should be aware of false teachers, including those who try to twist the meaning of Paul’s words and other Scripture. We cannot let ourselves be swept away by these people.

Instead, we grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord. Day by day we should become more full of grace and more knowledgeable of the Lord. That kind of life will please the Lord and bring honor to him.

The final word is one of doxology: to Jesus be glory now and throughout eternity.