2 Peter 3

The Day of the Lord

This second epistle, dearly loved ones, I am now writing to you. In both of them I would stir up your pure minds by way of reminder, 2 so that you may remember the words which were spoken beforehand by the holy prophets, and the command of the Lord and Saviour through us, the apostles.

Ignorant scoffers

3 First understand this: in the last days there will come scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation”. 5 For they are willingly ignorant of the fact that long ago by the word of God the heavens existed, and the earth stood out of the water and in the water, 6 and that the world that then existed was covered with water and perished. 7 But by that same word the heavens and the earth which now exist are reserved for fire, kept until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

God views time differently than we do

8 But, dearly loved ones, do not be ignorant of this one thing, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some men count slowness, but is patient toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

3:8-9 To men it seems a long time since Christ promised to return. But God does not experience time as we do, and to Him it is like two days, or less. See Ps 90:4 and note. If He waits 2000 years (or more) in our reckoning before sending Christ again, He has a very good purpose in mind. He is at work bringing men to repentance and waiting until He knows He should wait no more. Compare Gen 6:3.⚜

A sudden event

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. In that day the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fiery heat. The earth also and the works that are in it will be burned up.

How God’s people should live in the light of this truth

11 Since then all these things will be dissolved, what kind of people you ought to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 as you look for and speed the coming of the day of God, in which the heavens will be on fire and dissolve, and the elements will melt with fiery heat! 13 Nevertheless, in accordance with his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness will dwell.

14 Therefore, dearly loved ones, since you look for such things, make every effort to be found by him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

3:14 Dan 12:10; 1 Cor 1:8; Eph 1:4; 4:3; 5:27; Phil 1:10; 2:15; 1 Thess 5:23; Heb 12:14. If we live as He has told us, we can look forward to His coming with joy and confidence.⚜

Peter’s word about Paul’s letters

15 And consider that the patience of our Lord is salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also according to the wisdom given to him has written to you, 16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things. In them some things are hard to understand. Those who are ignorant and unstable twist these things, as they do also the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

Two exhortations: Be careful, and grow

17 Therefore, dearly loved ones, seeing that you know these things beforehand, be careful that you also are not led away by the error of the wicked, and fall from your own firm position. 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.