Bible Passage: 2 Peter 3:1-18

Big Idea: Living in anticipation of Christ’s return compels us to actively nurture our faith, engaging in good works that reflect His grace and prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord

Opening Thoughts

Central to Christian doctrine is the belief that Jesus, following his death, resurrection, and ascension, will one day return in glory. While Jesus taught that the timing of this second coming remains unknown, numerous individuals have erroneously attempted to predict its occurrence. Nevertheless, despite these unsuccessful predictions, Christians continue to uphold the assurance of Jesus’s eventual return.

Peter emphasized that God would ultimately judge false teachers who represented significant threats to Christian communities (2 Pet. 2:1–22). These individuals denied the concept of Christ’s return. In chapter 3, verses 1–18, Peter firmly affirmed the certainty of the Day of the Lord—Christ’s return. He clarified in verses 3:1–2 that his purpose in both letters was to reinforce the believers’ understanding by reminding them of the teachings delivered by Old Testament prophets and the commandment provided by Jesus through the apostles.

Approximately two thousand years have passed since Jesus ascended, and some people still question or deny that He will return. Predictions made by false prophets about exact dates have also led to increased skepticism. Nevertheless, Christians find confidence in God’s Word, which assures them of Christ’s eventual return. Peter encourages us to adopt a manner of living characterized by continual readiness for Jesus’ return at any time.

Scoffers and the Sure Return

2 Peter 3:1–7 ESV

¹ This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, ² that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, ³ knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. ⁴ They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” ⁵ For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, ⁶ and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. ⁷ But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

As Peter concludes his second letter, his sense of urgency and conviction is clearly conveyed. His intention was to remind his readers of the principles they already understood, thereby enabling them to employ spiritual discernment to identify and address the spread of false teachings. Similar to the recipients of Peter’s letter, contemporary readers will also encounter efforts to misrepresent the message for personal advantage. To prepare for this, it is essential to rely on the enduring truths articulated by both the prophets and apostles. Peter underscores that all events—past, present, and future—have been anticipated by the Old Testament prophets and by the teachings of Jesus Christ as delivered through the apostles.

Peter reminded his readers that, above all, there will always be scoffers in the “last days.” The “last days” refers to the period between Christ’s first coming and His eventual return, which is also known as the “Age of Grace” or the “Church Age.”

In the early church, false teachers challenged the doctrine of Christ’s return by claiming it was merely a myth. They pointed to the lengthy interval since Jesus’ ascension as evidence for their position, proposing that the world would continue unchanged indefinitely. In response, Peter refuted these arguments by referencing the acts of creation and the flood as instances of God’s direct involvement in human history. He reminded them that the same divine word responsible for creating the world also brought judgment upon it. The day is coming when Christ will return to take home believers (John 14:1-13). But it also needs to be understood that He is coming in judgement on those who have rejected Him (Heb 9:27)

Patience and the Promise

2 Peter 3:8–10

⁸ But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. ⁹ The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. ¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

Peter underscores that a final judgment day is approaching—an event set by God the Father, who alone knows its exact timing. He points out that God views time differently than humans do (2 Peter 3:8), and reminds us that God always keeps His promises; therefore, if God has proclaimed a final judgment, it will surely happen.

Peter encourages us to see the waiting period as an opportunity for growth. He believes that the extra years granted by God allow more people the chance to accept the gospel and return to Him. Each new day reflects God’s mercy, offering us another moment to draw closer to Him and support those around us.

We must remember that there are countless souls who remain unaware of God’s promise and are lost without salvation. Peter highlights the value of God’s patience, encouraging believers not to hesitate but to actively share the gospel, remain hopeful, and fulfill their responsibilities with confidence—regardless of doubts or outside opinions.

When we are feeling anxious about world events and uncertainty about the future, 2 Peter 3:8-10 reminds us of the importance of recognizing God’s larger plan. Instead of being passive while awaiting Christ’s return, it is crucial to acknowledge both our limited perspective on time and our duties. We should collaborate with God toward His deepest desire for humanity—repentance and faith. It’s vital to stay ready for Christ’s coming at any moment, yet also plan our service as though His return could be far off.

Pursue Holiness and Hope

2 Peter 3:11–18

¹¹ Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, ¹² waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! ¹³ But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. ¹⁴ Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. ¹⁵ And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, ¹⁶ as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. ¹⁷ You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. ¹⁸ But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Peter concluded his letter by providing guidance for Christians who anticipate the return of Jesus Christ. He did not advise altering daily routines or selling personal possessions. Instead, Peter emphasized the importance of living each day in accordance with God’s will, so that believers would be prepared to account for their management of time, abilities, and resources at Christ’s appearing.

While the believers may have been growing restless as they awaited the Lord’s return, Peter encouraged them to remember that the delay was actually a sign of God’s patience. Contrary to the false teachers who claimed the delay showed God’s negligence, Peter emphasized that “God is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (3:9) . In other words, God’s patience allows more people the opportunity to hear and accept the gospel, resulting in salvation for many.

When we understand that Christ return will bring us into the eternal presence of God and the day of the Lord will bring judgement and  punishment for the lost. So the longer we have to wait for Christ’s return the more opportunity we have to share the gospel and see lost souls saved. We can view Christ’s delayed return as an expression of His mercy and grace, giving everyone an opportunity to be saved.

Peter encourages us to have patience. Just as Paul had written, false teachers, who are ignorant and unstable will twist scripture to meet their lifestyle or desired outcome. In doing so they prevent the proclamation of the true gospel, hindering the ability of the lost to be saved.

One way to be able to discern false teachings and live the holy life that we are called to, is by studying the Word of God. By doing so we will be able to have a more comprehensive knowledge of the truth. As we study the Word of God we should allow it to scrutinize our lives and help us make the necessary corrections to live more holy and godly lives.

In the final lines of Peter’s letter, he encourages believers to remain vigilant against the errors of false teaching and to maintain their stability. The ability to uphold steadfast faith depends on growing in scriptural knowledge and consistently applying these principles in daily life. It is important to recognize that possessing knowledge and acting upon it are distinct, and true growth requires both understanding and implementation.

Application

In a culture filled with chaos it is easy to become overwhelmed by external pressures and doubts.  We can become complacent in our faith.  Peter urges us to pursue holiness diligently.  We have to prepare ourselves to withstand the dangers of false teachings.  The best way to counter this is to have a daily commitment to read the Bible and allow God to convict and encourage you.  Also join a small group at your church where you can discuss scripture and seek truth together. In this supportive environment, share your struggles and ask questions, helping to strengthen each other’s faith against misleading ideas. We were never suppose to life the Christian life alone, but in community.

Discussion Questions

1. What did Peter say would occur in the last days? (3:3)

2. How does Peter address the issue of time in relation to God’s promises and His return?

3. What reason did Peter give his readers for living holy and godly lives? (3:11–12)

4. How can you change your routine to reflect your hope for Christ’s return?

5. What practical steps can you take this week to share the hope of Christ’s return with someone in your life?

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