Warns The Believers of Scoffers
April 28, 2019
Commentary
Peter in this passage does not try to reveal something new but he asks the readers to reflect on things which were told them by the apostles (vv. 1-2). He points out that one characteristic of the last days is that those who live primarily for the things of this world will doubt the second coming of Christ (v. 3). He goes on to tell us how the world is heading toward a great climax and final judgment.
Peter warns the believers concerning scoffers who would come (v. 4). These mockers would deny the fact of His coming and say that this world is an unchanging system and God does not intervene in the course of history. They will say this because they want to forget that long ago the heavens and the earth were made at God’s command. The earth came out of water and was made from water (v. 5). Peter uses history to refute this argument as he points out the flood and how God did intervene (v. 6). He goes on to say that these people are deliberately shutting their eyes to the facts.
The earth as we know it, will one day undergo an even greater change. Just as God in the past changed the course of history by sending the flood will again change history by refining the earth with fire (v. 7). Many today are looking for the world to get better and better when actually just as the Scriptures say it is waxing worse and worse. To us as Christians, the state of the world today should only confirm our faith in Christ and the Word of God.
Application
There are many things that I see happening in our world today that would indicate that the second coming of Christ may be very near. I want to be busy until He comes.
2 Peter 3:1– 7 (NET)
1 Dear friends, this is already the second letter I have written you, in which I am trying to stir up your pure mind by way of reminder: 2 I want you to recall both the predictions foretold by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles. 3 Above all, understand this: In the last days blatant scoffers will come, being propelled by their own evil urges 4 and saying, “Where is his promised return? For ever since our ancestors died, all things have continued as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For they deliberately suppress this fact, that by the word of God heavens existed long ago and an earth was formed out of water and by means of water. 6 Through these things the world existing at that time was destroyed when it was deluged with water. 7 But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, by being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.