Bible Commentaries
2 Peter 3

Verses 1-2

Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. 2 Peter 3:1

Peter calls his recipients "dear friends." This Greek word (agapetoi) would best be rendered by our word "beloved."^(F1) This statement makes us think that Peter knew some of these people personally from his ministry in their midst. The apostle immediately links this letter with his first one, erasing reasonable doubt that the two letters are connected. Pett remarks about this saying, "There are no good grounds for not seeing this as referring to 1 Peter."^(F2) In such case, he would be writing to the same people as in 1 Peter.

The apostle's purpose is to remind the people and to stimulate their minds to wholesome thinking. We all need reminding from time to time and we certainly need our lazy minds stimulated in the direction of God's truth. The Greek word he uses for "wholesome thinking" is the word eilikrinēs. The word not only means right, pure and good, but it means "sun-judged."^(F3) Our thoughts must be brought into the light. This is especially true in these days of the Internet when at least one-quarter of western Christians are prowling the dark pages of readily-available porn.

"I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles" (3:2). The words spoken in the past by the prophets are no doubt a reference to the Old Testament prophets.^(F4) Peter will soon be speaking about the Day of the Lord, and that was the persistent theme of most all the prophets. There were also numerous prophecies about the suffering of the Messiah. These were found especially in the Servant Songs of Isaiah (Isaiah 50:4 – 53:12). Yet, somehow Israel missed this extremely important picture of a suffering Savior.

We see something particularly interesting here. By this word, Peter is placing the apostolic traditions of the New Testament on par with the Old Testament prophets.^(F5) He will elaborate on this in verse 16 of this chapter, comparing the teachings of Paul with the rest of the scriptures.

Verses 3-7

LAST DAY SCOFFERS

Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 2 Peter 3:3

Peter wanted to make two things clear, that scoffers would come in the last days and that scoffers were now present. This was a very good indication that the last days had arrived. The Greek word Peter uses for "last" is eschaton, from which we get our word eschatology, or the study of last things.

It is important for us to understand the biblical concept of the last days. It is clear that the last days began with the ministry of Jesus and became especially evident at Pentecost (Hebrews 1:2; Acts 2:17). It is also apparent that the last days have a bitter-sweet quality. There will be terrible times for the wicked (2 Timothy 3:1; James 5:3), but there will be wonderful times for the righteous. The mountain of the Lord's house will be established and acknowledged world-wide (Isaiah 2:2). The Israelites will return to the Lord with trembling (Hosea 3:5). Obviously the physical return of Israel to the biblical land, which began to happen in the 1880s and continues until this day, is a clear sign of the lasts days.

So, if the last days began with the ministry of Jesus, it is a biblical certainty that we are still living in the last days. The presence of scoffers all around us surely verifies that we are indeed living in these days. The arch infidel Richard Dawkins scoffs in his recent book The God Delusion. He says, "The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomanical, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully."^(F6)

In his book Where The Conflict Really Lies, Science, Religion, and Naturalism, Alvin Plantinga lists Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Christopher Hitchens, and Sam Harris as the "Four Horsemen" of atheism, and claims that they are attempting to "…run roughshod over religion."^(F7) It is thus clear as Paul says, we are the people, "…on whom the culmination of the ages has come" (1 Corinthians 10:11).

Why are human beings so intent on scoffing. Guzik says, "They also have a clear moral problem, wanting to reject the Lordship of Jesus Christ over their lives."^(F8) Years ago evolutionist leader, Julian Huxley, was interviewed by Merv Griffin. He boldly admitted, "The reason we accepted Darwinism even without proof, is because we didn't want God to interfere with our sexual mores."^(F9)

Let us see what else these last day scoffers are talking about. "They will say, 'Where is this coming he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation'" (3:4). These scoffers were likely reflecting a typical Greek understanding of the universe, that it was static or eternal. Interestingly, many modern astronomers and cosmologists held this view of the heavens until the 1960s. At that time the work of Edwin Hubble and others forced them to adopt the idea that the universe had a beginning and is expanding.^{The Quantum Zoo, A Tourist's Guide to the Neverending Universe, p. 144. He also notes Hubble's view, that the universe is expanding.">(F10)}

They questioned the coming or parousia of Jesus. Such questioning of God's word was no new thing. Jeremiah's critics had cried out, "Where is the word of the LORD? Let it now be fulfilled!" (Jeremiah 17:15). Malachi's detractors had said, "…All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them," and "…Where is the God of justice?" (Malachi 2:17).

Peter's critics no doubt cried out for several reasons. The coming of Christ in swift judgment would have seriously upset their lustful plans. His coming would also show them up for the liars and deceivers they really were. The same thing is true for the wicked boasters, deceivers and scoffers today.

We should note here that the "fathers" (Gk. pateres), mentioned by Peter, most likely referred to the Old Testament fathers of the faith. Schreiner says, "The plural 'fathers' never refers to the first generations of Christians in the New Testament, but it always refers to the patriarchs of the Old Testament…Furthermore, there are hundreds of verses in the Old Testament where 'fathers' refers to the patriarchs."^(F11)

"But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed" (3:5-6). It has been only in recent years that some scientists have begun to shed light on the power of the word of God. Most have done it unintentionally as they have explored the vast reaches of astronomy, cosmology and quantum physics.

Einstein proved to us by his formula E=mc² that there is an incredible and unbelievable supply of energy in all of matter – that matter and energy are really one and the same thing.² encapsulates this fact. The physicists' symbol for the speed of light, c, is a big number – 300 million meters per second. Squaring it- multiplying it by itself- creates an even bigger number. Applying the formula to 1 kilogram of matter shows that it contains 9x10¹⁶ joules of energy- enough to lift the entire population of the world into space!"">(F12) . Now, the big question is "Where did all that energy in the creation come from?" There really seems to be no natural explanation. It is truly interesting what some physicists are saying today. J. A. Wheeler says the essence of the universe is information. James Jeans says it is more like a thought, while Werner Heisenberg thinks it is like an idea and George Wald sees it more as mind.^(F13) All these ideas are extremely close to "word." We read in John 1:1-3 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made."

We see something else in this verse which scientists have yet not been able to corroborate. The earth was formed out of water and by water (Genesis 1:6). We may have to wait a while until science catches up with this statement. Peter makes the point that just as the world was made through water, when God decided to destroy the world in Noah's day he simply did so as he rearranged or juxtapositioned the water.^(F14)

These scoffing teachers did not believe in a personal God who could intervene in the earth's matters. Peter showed them where they were greatly in error. God had intervened in creating the world and he had also intervened in destroying it in the days of Noah.

The Bible is clear that Jesus created the world by his word. It also tells us that he sustains the present world by his word (Hebrews 1:3). Just imagine, the sun came up this morning because of the word of God! The winds blow and the waves come in and out because of the word. Even our hearts beat because of the word of God.

"By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly" (3:7). Just as the antediluvian world and its heavens were reserved for destruction by water the present world and its heavens are reserved for destruction by fire. Wiersbe sums it up well, "…The same word that created and sustains the world is now holding it together, stored with fire, being preserved and reserved for that future day of judgment…"^{The Ante-Nicene Fathers, IV, p. 550).">(F15)}

The Greek word used in this verse for "reserved" or "stored up" is thesaurizo. It has the meaning "to gather up and lay up, store up."^(F16) It is as if the fire for the last day was already arranged and kept in storage for the earth's destruction. We see in another place how the earth will be laid bare by the raging fires of the end time. Amazingly, there is good news with all this judgment. There will emerge a new heaven and a new earth immediately after the fire, as Peter will say in verse 13.

Schreiner feels that this is the only place in scripture where we are clearly told that the earth will be destroyed by fire.^(F17) However, the Bible often speaks of a fiery judgment upon the earth (Isaiah 30:30; 66:15; Amos 7:4; Zephaniah 1:18; 3:8; Malachi 4:1). Why would God have to go to such an extent to purge the earth? Seventeenth century Bible commentator, John Trapp, answers this saying, "This latter age of the world is so filthy…that it cannot be washed with water, and shall therefore be wasted with fire."^(F18)

When we ponder earth's makeup we can understand how easy it would be for the earth to be purged by fire. Actually, some of the vast wildfires in the western US almost illustrate this fact. We are told by scientists that one of the anthropic constants is that oxygen comprises 21 percent of atmosphere. If it were 25 percent, fires would erupt spontaneously.^(F19) Also, today we are threatened with atomic weapons from rogue nations. One Hebrew believer reminded us of Joel 2:30, where we read in Hebrew of Tameri Ashan (palm trees of smoke). We noticed in Israel that untended palm trees look very much like the image of an atomic bomb.

Well, just as God made Noah waterproof, he wants to make us fireproof. We noticed in 2:9, that God knows how to rescue the godly person from the horrors of the last day. He is skilled in doing this. We however need to do our part and cooperate. In 1 Corinthians 3:14-15 we read of a last day believer, "If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved – even though only as one escaping through the flames." Here we have a picture of a Christian who escapes the final judgment losing all his works and with his shirt-tail on fire so to speak. This is a warning to all of us that we need to allow the Lord to burn out the dross in our lives and make us able to come through the fires of the last days just as the three Hebrew children did in the days of Daniel (Daniel 3:1-30). They were totally unharmed even without the smell of smoke upon them.

Verses 8-9

HOW GOD KEEPS TIME

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 2 Peter 3:8

We get an inkling of God's timing with Psalm 90:4, "For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night." Although God may work in time, he is not bound by time or limited by it. Actually, today our scientists are beginning to understand more of the mystery of time. Since Einstein proposed his theory of relativity, scientists have realized that we live in a space-time continuum. The physicist F. David Peat says of this, "Einstein's special theory of relativity implied that space and time were to be unified into a new four-dimensional background called space-time."^(F20)

Since Einstein, we can no longer look at the limitations of time as we once did. We may have to try and look at time as God looks at it. Marcus Chown says, "The faster you go the slower you age…Space and time are both relative, lengths and time intervals become significantly warped at speeds approaching the speed of light. One person's interval of space is not the same as another person's interval of space. One person's interval of time is not the same as another person's interval of time…"^(F21) Einstein once remarked; "For us physicists, the distinction between past, present, and future is only an illusion."^(F22) All this should help us to take time in a relative sense.

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (3:9). Sometimes it seems that the Lord is painfully slow in doing things, even in answering our prayers. If we could see things from his perspective we would understand his apparent slowness. God lingers so that more people can repent and receive his salvation (Romans 2:4). His will is that all people could be saved (2 Timothy 2:4). Guzik asks, "… How many of us are glad that Jesus didn't return ten years, or five years, or two years, or one year, or two months ago? There is a compassionate purpose in God's timing."^(F23) God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 33:11) but he is patient and long suffering toward us all.

There are many mysteries to the Lord's coming. There are several scriptures that speak of a surprise and sudden coming (Matthew 24:43; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; Revelation 3:3; 16:15). Yet, other scriptures speak of a delay or time interval until specific things happen (cf. Matthew 24:15,21,24; Mark 13:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; Revelation 13). We seem to be left in a certain tension concerning his coming and perhaps that is intentional to keep us on our toes.

Verses 10-12

THE GREAT DAY OF THE LORD

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 2 Peter 3:10

Prophetic fulfillment is often a strange and puzzling thing. The Word of God can be partially fulfilled on more than one occasion leading up to the final fulfillment. Sometimes we see prophecy related to the partial and final fulfillments woven tightly together as in Matthew 24. In this chapter it is almost impossible to separate events relating to the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70, with events concerning the end of the age. Both are in fact "Days of the Lord." ^{(Showers is a faculty member at the Institute of Biblical Studies). http://www.zoominfo.com/p/Renald-Showers/63204244.">(F24)} Thus we can see that the Day of the Lord was coming in Isaiah's day and also in Jesus' day. It was partially fulfilled at least two times, in the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC and the Romans in AD 70.

God's day is still coming. Man's day, on the other hand, is just about finished. He has done what he pleased, mocked God; defied his laws and polluted God's creation. Satan's day is also coming to an end. He knows that he has but a short time left (Revelation 12:12). For several thousand years he has claimed to be the "prince of this world," but his authority is about finished (John 12:31). At various times in history God has broken in on man's day and Satan's day with events reminiscent of the coming Day of the Lord. Yet, the final day remains in the future. Dear friends, the final Day of the Lord is surely coming!

There seems to be no good reason for us to separate the concepts of "the Day of the Lord," "the Day of Christ," "the Day," and "that Day" as they are used in scripture.^{1 Corinthians 1:8; 2 Corinthians 1:14; Philippians 1:6,10; 2:16)."">(F25)} All these speak of the same event. The entire book of Revelation likewise speaks in detail of this day. It is sometimes confusing because we are attempting to peek into a time frame that is partially hidden from us. In other words, "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face…." (1 Corinthians 13:12). It is much like a prehistoric man trying to glimpse the wonders of the electronic age in which we now live. It simply was not revealed to him. Electronic wonders for him were limited to occasional flashes of lightning.

There are two clear aspects to the day of the Lord. ^">(F26) The first one, which is most obvious in the Old Testament, is the aspect of judgment upon the wicked. Apparently in Old Testament times some wicked folks desired the Day of the Lord in order that they might escape from all their problems. The prophet reminded them of this judgment aspect, saying, "Woe to you who long for the day of the LORD! Why do you long for the day of the LORD? That day will be darkness, not light" (Amos 5:18).

The prophets see that the Day of the Lord will bring down the proud and lofty. Isaiah says "The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled and human pride brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day" (Isaiah 2:11). It is a day of disaster and destruction upon the ungodly (Isaiah 13:6). We see this also pictured in Revelation 6:17, "For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?" God will shake the earth terribly (Isaiah 2:19). As is said in Job 38:13, God's plan is to shake the wicked out of the earth. Then the people will cast their idols of gold and silver to the moles and bats (Isaiah 2:20). Earth's great and mighty ones will cry for the rocks and mountains to fall on them and hide them from the face of the Lamb (Revelation 6:15). The cry of that day will be bitter (Zephaniah 1:14). Wicked hearts will faint as they are seized with terror (Isaiah 13:7-8). The heavenly bodies will no longer give their light (Isaiah 13:10-13). A devouring fire will break out on the earth as the Lord comes (2 Thessalonians 1:7). In Malachi 4:1, the prophet says, "'Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire,' says the LORD Almighty. 'Not a root or a branch will be left to them.'"

While the day of the Lord will be an unmitigated disaster for the ungodly, we see that it will be a day of blessing for the righteous. The prophet Malachi also says that the righteous will go forth leaping like calves released from a stall. In Malachi 4:3 he says, "Then you will trample down the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act…"

We who love and serve the Lord will actually be able to lift up our heads as the Day of the Lord approaches (Luke 21:28). We will have great confidence and boldness in that day (2 Timothy 1:12; 1 John 4:17). After all, when Jesus appears we will appear with him in glory (Colossians 3:4), and be like him (1 John 3:2-3). In 2 Thessalonians 1:10, we see that he will come "…to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed…"

On that blessed day, Jesus will come with all his saints (1 Thessalonians 3:13). Even those who sleep in Jesus will be brought in that great triumphal procession. For the saints of the Lord, the Day of the Lord has nothing for us to fear. It is a day of blessing and glory.

Thus we see God's people will be involved in the final Day of the Lord as they have also been involved in every preceding Day of the Lord. After the disasters of that day, God's people will stand. In Proverbs 10:25 we read, "When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever." In verse 29 we also read, "The way of the LORD is a refuge for the blameless, but it is the ruin of those who do evil."

It would help us to look into some of the mechanics of the coming day. It will come like a thief (Gk. kleptes) or in other words, it will come with a suddenness that will surprise many people. Peter says, "The heavens will disappear with a roar…" Barclay describes the word "roar" (Gk. roizedon) as a crackling or whirring sound.^(F27) It is interesting that when the atomic bomb was first tested in Nevada, several reporters described the explosion as a "crackling" or "whirring" sound.^(F28)

Peter tells us that "the elements will be destroyed by fire." The Greek word for elements is stoicheia and it refers to the basic stuff or building blocks from which our world is made.^(F29) No doubt in New Testament times the general understanding of "elements" reflected the Greek ideas of air, earth, fire and water.^(F30) The word for "destroyed" is the Greek kausoumena, and it has reference to "a violent consuming heat."^(F31)

The apostle adds, "the earth and everything in it will be laid bare." For "laid bare" he uses the Greek word heurisko and it may be seen as depicting people's relationship before God. That relationship will be made public and all the secrets of the human race will be disclosed.^(F32) What a day it will be when all the hidden things will be revealed and when the earth will disclose all its evil secrets and its vast bloodshed.

Verses 11-13

PREPRAING FOR THE DAY OF THE LORD

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives…2 Peter 3:11

How can we prepare for the Day of the Lord that we ourselves might stand? We need to make sure our faith is not misplaced and that it is very strong. In Philippians 1:6, the apostle says, "…he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." In 2 Timothy 1:12, the Apostle Paul states with confidence, "…I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day."

We need not despair at trials and difficulties that may come upon us in the meantime. In 1 Peter 1:7, the apostle tells us, "These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

We must be very careful about deception regarding the Day of the Lord and the period leading up to it. Jesus sternly warns us on several occasions about being deceived. We are promised that the period leading up to this day will abound with false prophets (Matthew 24:4-5, 11). They will gently lead God's people astray with fanciful tales and fables of the end days. They will cause them to relax and be unprepared for the day. In 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11, we are told that those who refuse to believe the truth will be sent a powerful delusion that they should believe a lie. Later in 2 Peter 3:17, Peter will warn, "Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position."

One error that has gained great status in the western church during the last fifty years is the error or myth of the secret rapture of the church. This myth essentially declares that there will be three comings of Jesus, his incarnation, the secret rapture and the final coming in earth's judgment. It should be sufficient to point out here that the very early church knew nothing about this. Justin Martyr said around AD 160, "The prophets have announced two advents of Christ. In the first one, which has already past, he came as a dishonored and suffering man. However, in the second advent, according to prophecy, he will come from heaven with glory, accompanied by his angelic host. At that time he will raise the bodies of all men who have lived."^(F33)

Just one more quote from earliest times should assure us on this subject. Around AD 180, Irenaeus said, "All the prophets announced his two advents…In the second one, he will come on the clouds, bringing on the day which burns as a furnace."^(F34) Other church fathers also spoke of just two advents.

Obviously, those who do not love the truth will not be saved. The "belt of truth" is the first item we must put on in the last-day armor. If it is weak, the sword will fall off and perhaps the trousers with it, leaving us undone in the day of battle. The Bible tells us to buy the truth and to not sell it (Proverbs 23:23). We will have many opportunities to sell out cheaply. As we see, truth in the end day will become a very precious commodity.

The fervent desire of the early Christians was that they would be kept strong to the end and be found blameless in the Day of the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:8). This reflects the Lord's teaching that only "…the one who stands firm to the end will be saved" (Matthew 24:13). To this purpose, it is God's plan to seal his servants in their foreheads (Revelation 7:3). This is likely a picture of a mind totally protected by the Spirit against all influences of the final evil age. We know in the end-days that there will be a great falling away or rebellion before God and at last, the Lawless One will himself appear. We read in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, "…that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed…"

In spite of all the evil influences of the last day, Daniel saw a people there who would be strong and do mighty works for God (Daniel 11:32). In Ephesians 6:13-18, Paul gives some very urgent and practical advice to the Lord's soldiers who will face the last day. Paul speaks not about "some day," but specifically about "THE DAY" (in Greek). He says:

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.

In preparation for the great day, the Lord's people must live holy and godly lives. The Greek words used here are hagiais and eusebeiais. The first of these important words means "set apart for the service of God."^(F35) We cannot serve the Baals of this age and the true God at the same time. We cannot have one foot in the world and one in the kingdom of God. The other important word, eusebeiais can be summed up with the words piety, reverence, and godliness.^(F36) These important words will help to describe the last day overcomers that we see so often in the Book of Revelation.

Pett says of these overcomers that they will survive the coming holocaust. They will do it with, "…constant prayer (1 Peter 3:12; 4:7; 5:7; Luke 18:7-8; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17) and feeding on the word (1 Peter 2:2; Ephesians 5:26; Hebrews 5:12-14)"…and by their "faithful testimony to Christ (1 Peter 3:15)."^(F37)

Peter continues his sentence saying, "…as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat" (3:12). We see one thing here that characterizes the early Christians in New Testament times. They were actually looking forward to the Day of the Lord. This amazes us. In spite of all the suffering that was in store leading up to the time, the early Christians were truly excited, even ecstatic about the day. Plainly, we have lost much of this excitement. We have lost it because we have become confused about the Day of the Lord.

It is made clear in this verse that believers can speed the coming of this day and the appearing of Jesus. Obviously, part of this is possible as we live holy and godly lives like Peter has just said. We can speed his coming no doubt by praying the Lord's Prayer, "…your kingdom come, your will be done…" (Matthew 6:10). We see in Revelation 8:3-4, that the prayers of believers actually help bring on the Great Tribulation, which ends the world. Also, in Matthew 24:14, we read, "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." Somehow, the preaching of the gospel to the nations helps bring on the end of the age.

There is another way we can speed the coming of this day. We can be diligent to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6). There continues to be a prayer group in Denver Colorado that has existed for almost half a century. Long ago in this group they became stumped by this verse, as to how they could hasten the coming of the Lord. They all agreed to seek only the Lord and to pray about it for the next week. When the group reassembled they had all been given the same verse, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem" (Psalm 122:6). As we pray for Jerusalem and Israel, we assist in bringing the end of the faltering Gentile age (Luke 21:24). We beg God for the Age to Come. We can even pray, "…Come Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20). I find myself praying this prayer a lot these days, "Lord Jesus, this is your world and you made it. Please come and rule it!"

The "coming" mentioned in this verse is the Greek word parousia. It means the "personal presence" of our Lord and Savior.^(F38) We cannot forget that at the end of this age we will see him as he is and then we will suddenly be made like him (1 John 3:2).

"But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells" (3:13). Here it is again! The earliest Christians were really "looking forward" to the Day of the Lord and the return of Christ. Here Peter speaks of the promises of scripture. Isaiah the prophet had given some of these promises. In Isaiah 65:17 he wrote, "See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind." In Isaiah 66:22, the saints are promised, "'As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,' declares the LORD, 'so will your name and descendants endure.'"

In Revelation 21:1 we are given a picture of the new heavens and earth. John says, "Then I saw 'a new heaven and a new earth,' for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea." Once more the Greek word kainos is used for "new." Wuest reminds us that "the new is seen from the aspect of quality; the new, as set over against that which has seen service, the outworn, the effete or marred through age."^(F39) The Lord is not speaking of something that is brand new but something that is just renewed. This new heaven and new earth will be the home of eternal righteousness (cf. Revelation 21:27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Hebrews 12:14).

Because of the massive Greek influence in our western world and even in early Christianity, we have almost lost the concept of the new earth. We remember that the Greeks considered the spiritual realm as important while they considered the earth and all earthly things as unimportant. One recent writer, Randy Alcorn, has sought to bring the new earth back into focus. Alcorn says, "As human beings, whom God made to be both physical and spiritual, we are not designed to live in a non-physical realm – indeed, we are incapable of even imagining such a place (or, rather non-place)."^(F40)

Alcorn compares modern Christianity to eastern religions like Buddhism and Hinduism, which look at the afterlife in vague and intangible terms. He says that Christianity refutes these notions and that it does not give up on either humanity or the earth.^(F41) Instead of seeing saints flying off to heaven, he sees heaven coming down to earth. He says, "The great redemptive promises of God will find their ultimate fulfillment on the New Earth, not in the present Heaven."^(F42)

Alcorn adds, "If we serve faithfully on the present Earth, God will give us permanent management positions on the New Earth."^{The Ante-Nicene Fathers, V6, p. 366).">(F43)} Somehow we faintly remember the verse of scripture which says, "You have made them [the saints] to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth" (Revelation 5:10). If we try, we can remember other passages like the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:5, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." Then there are the wonderful verses in Psalm 37. "For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. (v. 9)…But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity (v. 11)…the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever (v. 29)… Hope in the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it (v. 34)." God even promises in Proverbs 10:30, "The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land."

When Alcorn looks at our present view of heaven and our disdain for earth he says, "If God were to end history and reign forever in a distant Heaven, Earth would be remembered as a graveyard of sin and failure."^(F44)

Verses 14-16

MAKING EVERY EFFORT

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 2 Peter 3:14

Peter reminds the beloved of all ages that we should "make every effort" or be diligent (Gk. spoudazo) regarding our hope. This word can mean, "do you best, make haste, take care, hurry on." It speaks of "intense effort."^(F45) All this effort and concern should be focused toward our being "found spotless, blameless and at peace" with the Lord Jesus. The matter of being spotless or blameless is a regularly recurring theme of scripture, yet, we seem to hear so little about it today. Sometimes we even get it confused with moral perfection, which obviously cannot be attained in this earthly life. John says, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8).

We know that Christ, through his great acts of justification and positional sanctification, no longer looks upon us as sinners. However, what the Lord is asking of us concerns not our positional sanctification or imputed righteousness, but our progressive sanctification. God has declared us to be saints, now he wants us to live like saints. This is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit working in us. He is "holy" after all, and he desires that we be holy, blameless, and spotless. Calvin says, "He, then, who waits for new heavens, must begin with renewal as to himself, and diligently aspire after it."^(F46)

We cannot help but note how the matter of being spotless and without blemish contrasts with the false teachers whom Peter has called "spots" and "blemishes" in their love feasts (2:13).^(F47) How closely our Christian lives need to be patterned after the one who was himself without spot, blemish or sin (1 Peter 2:21-22). When we get the garbage out of our lives it is much easier to live at peace with Jesus (Romans 5:1).

"Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him" (3:15). Peter has already mentioned how the Lord's patience or delay enables many to be saved. It is surely interesting that Peter turns to Paul for confirmation of his statement. We cannot help but be reminded of the terribly embarrassing public rebuke Paul once gave to Peter (Galatians 2:11-21). This verse illustrates the total forgiveness Peter must have felt toward Paul. He actually refers to him as a "dear brother." Peter even lauds Paul for having a special wisdom of God. The scholar John A.T. Robinson concludes that Paul still must have been alive when Peter wrote this.^(F48) If so, this would argue an early date for this epistle.

In commenting on this warm passage Gregory the Great (c. 540-604) remarked, "Thus the friend of truth was able to praise even the fact that he had been criticized, and he was happy to do so because he realized that he had been wrong."^(F49)

"He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction" (3:16). Concordia professor Paul Kretzmann comments, "Two points are here evident, the inspiration of the letters of Paul and the agreement between the doctrine as taught by the various apostles."^(F50) Some scholars claim that the whole corpus of Pauline letters must have been published at this point, that Paul was long dead and that this epistle of Peter must have been of a late date. Schreiner assures us that there is no firm evidence that such is the case.^(F51)

Peter acknowledges that some things in Paul's letters are difficult to understand. After all, Paul had visited in heaven on at least one occasion (2 Corinthians 12:2-4) and had come away with some things that were simply unspeakable. Throughout his letters Paul displays a profound understanding of the gospel.

No doubt, the false teachers were using some of Paul's teachings to justify their lawless living. Pett feels that they were using Paul's doctrine of justification by faith alone in support of their loose living.^(F52) We note from Paul's epistles that there were many folks who misused his teachings. The Greek word here for "distorting" Paul's doctrine is strebloo, and it means to twist, wrest, even to torture as in putting on the rack.^(F53) These false teachers were literally torturing the teaching of the great apostle. They were doing so to try to justify their own false teaching and libertine lifestyle. G. K. Chesterton once said that orthodoxy was like walking along a narrow ridge; one step to either side was a step to disaster.^(F54)

Peter's warm reference to Paul here helps us in our understanding of the relationship between the apostles. They were certainly not in any competition with one another. This passage also helps us to understand how highly the apostolic writing was acclaimed in the first century. Utley says, "…This is one of the very few places where New Testament writings are equated with Old Testament Scriptures."^(F55)

Verses 17-18

PETER'S PARTING WORDS

Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. 2 Peter 3:17

The pastor-teacher Warren Wiersbe, who is well-known for his "Be" series of Bible studies, reminds us of them in this chapter – "Be mindful (3:1-2)…Be not ignorant (3:8)…Be diligent (3:14)…Beware (3:17)."^(F56) Peter phrases it here in another way, "be on your guard." We are told in 1 Corinthians 10:12, "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" There is always a danger that the believer can be "carried away" with the temptations of this present evil age or by the twisting of scripture.

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen." (3:18). The whole gospel really comes down to the free grace of God. Without God's grace there literally would be no hope and no salvation. Peter prays for that grace in his benediction.

Often over the years we have prayed this very prayer over our grandchildren, that they grow both in grace and in their knowledge of Jesus. It seems that we never have to pray about their growing in size.