2 Peter 3
As you read through this chapter of 2 Peter, consider these things. Are you ready to meet God, to meet Jesus Christ? Are you at peace with Him? Now is the time.
Be mindful – remember, repeat in your memory these things.
– of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets (who spoke of the coming of Jesus, including His first and second coming)
– and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior (who spoke of Jesus having come the first time, and is coming again).
Knowing this first, that…(these are the things the prophets of old and the apostles of the Lord Jesus spoke, even Jesus Himself spoke of these things.
– in the last days scoffers shall come, walking and saying… 2Pet 3:3-4.
– they are willingly ignorant (they do not know, and they do not care to want to know)
That by the Word of God – He created the world, and then due to all the ungodliness, destroyed the world in a great flood so that all perished except Noah and his family. Genesis 6.
But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same Word are kept in store, reserved unot fire
– for the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
But beloved, be NOT ignorant
God does not want us to be ignorant or ignore Him and His Word. He loves us so much, that He sent Jesus to save us, and the Holy Spirit to keep us and enable us to live in this life through faith and the power of God.
2Pe 3:8 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 longsuffering
It is so important to KNOW and to REMEMBER that the Lord wants to save everyone, so this is why He is so patient with us, so longsuffering, in order to give people an opportunity to repent toward Him and put their faith in Jesus Christ to be saved. He is the Ark of God, as Noah built the ark in his day according to God’s plan, so now God through Jesus Christ is building His temple, His ark, the church, through the power of the Gospel and the Holy Spirit.
2Pe 3:9 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.
The Day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men will come
2Pe 3:10 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 (by fire)
- 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
Do you see? Do you understand what God is saying to us here through Peter? What are you living for?
Are you looking for the return of Jesus with earnest expectation?
2Pe 3:12 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
2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Therefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things
2Pe 3:14 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 consider this very carefully
2Pe 3:15 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;
The apostle Paul also spoke of and wrote of all these things
– some of these things are hard to understand
– because of this, some who are unlearned and unstable have twisted and perverted, not only his words but other Scriptures
– unto there own destruction
You therefore, beloved, seeing you KNOW these things before, BEWARE
– 2Pe 3:17 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
2Pe 3:18 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.
Practical Application
Stir up your pure minds; be mindful of the Word of God
We are truly living in a time where these words of Peter need to be taken seriously.
Remember to stay in love with Jesus and trust Him alone; follow Him daily and you will be safe.
From the beginning when sin entered human existence through the fall of Adam, man, in his fallen condion, has been in darkness and continually and willingly suppresses the truth of God (Rom 1:18), and man willfully forgets the Word of God. 2Pet 3:5
Beloved do not forget 2Pet 3:8-9