Keys of Truth: 2 Peter (Chapter 3)

Chapter summary:
The warning about false teachers (chapter 2) is especially important in view of what will happen at Christ's second coming. Peter reminds his "dear friends" of the Old Testament prophet's vision of future judgment (3:1-2). Scoffers today who ridicule the idea of coming judgment forget that the Genesis Flood shows God will surely exercise His responsibility and judge our race (vv. 3-7). The reason for what may seem a present delay is that God is keeping the door of repentance open (vv. 8-9). When the Day of the Lord does come, however, the universe itself will "disappear with a roar" (v. 10). We who understand this ought then to live godly lives, for surely nothing in this world will survive the judgment (vv. 11-16).
Peter concludes with a word of warning: Be on guard, and don't be carried away by "lawless men." If we instead grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus, we will be secure (vv. 17-18).

The believer’s personal application: Don't pin your hopes for a meaningful life on things which may not exist tomorrow.

TEXTUAL INSIGHT

“New Testament predictive prophecy”
Most Old Testament prophets spoke of a distant future in which, after a decisive battle where God personally intervenes, His Messiah will raise up a glorious earthly kingdom. The Old Testament prophets also spoke of the creation of a new heaven and earth. The New Testament images of the future are in full harmony with major elements of Old Testament prophecy but, like the Old Testament visions, New Testament pictures of the future are incomplete.
(Matthew 24) speaks of a coming time of Tribulation and of an Antichrist, as does
(2 Thessalonians 2). (First Thessalonians 4) describes “rapture" when Christians alive and resurrected are caught up in the air to meet a returning Jesus. (Revelation 20) describes a time when Satan is bound and Christ with His saints rules the earth. Here Peter speaks of this universe flaming out of existence, while (Revelation 21) describes a new universe created after final judgment. We cannot be sure just how all these images of the future fit together. But Peter reminds us that we can be sure of one thing. This world is destined to pass away.

“Uniformitarianism” (3:4):
In science this is the name given to the theory that everything seen on earth can be explained by natural laws and processes presently in operation. This notion is reflected in the modern view that evolution can explain the origin of earth, of vegetable and animal life, and of human life as well. Peter reminds us this whole mindset is wrong. Creation was an event: all that is was shaped by God's Word. And the terrible Flood that destroyed early civilization was an event: an intervention that demonstrated God's commitment to judge, and His ability to do so.
Don't be taken in by modern so-called "science." Trust Scripture's portrait of the past—and of the future!

“Not slow, patient” (3:9):
How good to have an answer for those who ridicule the idea of a coming Judgment Day. "God's just waiting for you to be saved!" Delay is another evidence of God's love.

"What kind of people"? (3:11-12):
When the Day of the Lord comes God will punish the wicked and deliver the righteous (cf. 2:4-10). Therefore, what kind of people do we want to be? Peter's choice is a decisive "holy and godly."

“Speeding Christ's coming” (3:12):
Since God delays sending Christ to permit the ungodly to repent, we can speed that coming by zealously sharing the Gospel with the lost.

"The other Scriptures" (3:15-16):
This exhortation to live blameless lives has great theological import, for here Peter gives the writings of "our dear brother Paul" the same status as "the other Scriptures." The early church did recognize our New Testament as the authoritative Word of God.