2 Peter 3:1-9
Q.1. What was Peter’s purpose for writing his letter? How did he view the authority of the apostles? Did this flow into their writings? – (2 Pet.3:1-2 c.f. 1:16-21)
Our earthly trials can easily make us forget to Whom we belong, and God’s plan of the ages (c.f. Eph.3:9-11). Peter saw it as one of his roles, to repeat the truth (2 Pet.3:1 c.f. 1:12-15). He believed in the special authority given to the apostles, to pass on the commands of our Lord and Saviour, and His explanation of the prophetic writings (2 Pet.3:2 c.f. Lk.24:26-27, 44-49; Jn.20:21-23; Acts 1:1-3; Eph.2:20). Peter also revealed that this authority extended to all their writings (2 Pet.1:16-21).
Q.2. What will precede the coming of the Lord’s return? What will be the line of reason unbelievers will employ? How did Peter counter their arguments? – (2 Pet.3:3-6)
The final days preceding the climax of the ages will be difficult, because the world will mock and scoff at the Gospel, and those who declare it. The ungodly will live as they please – Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts (2 Pet.3:3 c.f. 2 Tim.3:1-5). They will reason that there have always been alarmists claiming that the end of the world is coming. Denying the Flood judgment documented in the Bible, they boldly claim that nothing has changed since the beginning of time. Peter argued against this unscientific way of thinking, by declaring that the pre-flood earth was remarkably different – 5 … it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water (2 Pet.3:5-6). He believed the explanation of both the Creation of the world, and the Flood, as it was written in both the Old Testament, and the New Testament, by faith (c.f. Heb.11:3).
Q.3. Will judgment come with another flood? How will the world as we know it end? What did Peter teach about God that counters simply waiting for the end to come? – (2 Pet.3:7-9)
As God promised Noah, there will never be another worldwide flood to destroy the earth (c.f. Gen.9:8-17). However, the judgment of mankind is both certain and necessary – But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men (2 Pet.3:7 c.f. Rom.8:19-22). Though there are signs of the times, those who claim knowledge of the exact day should not be believed, because – … with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day (2 Pet.3:8 c.f. Mt.24:23-27, 36-37). In every generation, believers have expected Christ to come (c.f. 1 Thes.4:13; 2 Thes.2:1-2). Here Peter gave a reason for the seeming delay – The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance (2 Pet.3:9). It is sobering to realize that few were prepared for the first coming of Jesus. Sadly, so it will be when Christ returns again (Lk.21:34-36).