# Overview In 2 Peter Chapter 3, the Apostle #Peter addresses the believers, reminding them of the words spoken by the holy #prophets and the commandment of the #Lord and Savior through the apostles. This chapter serves as a reminder of the promise of the #Lord's return and the #DayoftheLord. Peter warns against scoffers who doubt the promise of His coming, pointing out that they deliberately forget that by God's word the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water. He emphasizes that the same word reserves the present heavens and earth for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. Peter encourages believers to not overlook the fact that with the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day, highlighting God's patient desire for all to come to repentance. Peter urges the believers to live holy and godly lives as they look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. He assures them that the day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire and the elements will melt in the heat, but according to God's promise, believers are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells. Peter concludes by exhorting them to be diligent, without spot or blemish, and at peace, and to consider the patience of the Lord as salvation. He acknowledges the wisdom given to #Paul, whose letters also address these matters, while warning that some twist Paul's words to their own destruction. Finally, Peter advises the faithful to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], to whom be glory both now and forever. Amen. ## Theological Insights 2 Peter 3 is a profound chapter that discusses the #eschatological themes of the #SecondComing of #Christ, the #DayOfTheLord, and the eventual dissolution of the current #heavens and #earth. This chapter emphasizes the certainty of #God's promises and the importance of living a holy and godly life in anticipation of these events. Firstly, the chapter addresses the skepticism of some who doubt the return of #Christ, highlighting that scoffers will come, questioning the promise of His coming (2 Peter 3:3-4). This skepticism is refuted by recalling the historical acts of God, particularly the creation and the #flood during the time of #Noah, as evidence of God's intervention in the world ([[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 1]], [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 6]]). Peter reminds believers of the Lord's patience, explaining that God is not slow in keeping His promise but is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). This reflects God's mercy and long-suffering nature, echoing themes found in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 34]] and [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 18]] regarding God's desire for repentance and life rather than judgement. The chapter further warns of the suddenness of the #DayOfTheLord, which will come like a thief, leading to the heavens disappearing with a roar and the elements being destroyed by fire (2 Peter 3:10). This apocalyptic imagery calls to mind passages such as [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 34]] and [[Revelation/Revelation Chapter 21]], where the old creation is transcended by a new one, promising a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells. Peter urges believers to live lives of holiness and godliness as they look forward to the day of God and speed its coming (2 Peter 3:11-12). This exhortation is consistent with the call to holiness found throughout the #NewTestament, notably in [[1 Peter/1 Peter Chapter 1]] and [[1 Thessalonians/1 Thessalonians Chapter 4]], emphasizing the transformative impact of living in anticipation of #Christ's return. Finally, 2 Peter 3 concludes with an exhortation to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], highlighting the importance of spiritual maturity and steadfastness in the faith (2 Peter 3:18). This call to growth is a recurring theme in [[Ephesians/Ephesians Chapter 4]] and [[Colossians/Colossians Chapter 1]], underscoring the process of sanctification as believers await the fulfillment of God's eternal promises. ## Thematic Connections ### The Day of the Lord 2 Peter 3 emphasizes the theme of the #DayOfTheLord, a concept deeply rooted in both the #OldTestament and #NewTestament. This theme is closely connected with prophecies in books like [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 13]], where the day of the Lord is depicted as a time of judgment and cosmic upheaval. Similarly, in the New Testament, [[1 Thessalonians/1 Thessalonians Chapter 5]] speaks of the day coming like a thief in the night, echoing the suddenness and unpredictability mentioned in 2 Peter 3. ### Divine Patience and Human Repentance The chapter highlights God's patience, indicating that the delay in the Lord's return is an opportunity for repentance. This theme is reminiscent of the patience God shows in the days of [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 6|Noah]], where God waits for humanity to turn from wickedness before the flood. The call for repentance is also found in [[Acts/Acts Chapter 17]], where God commands all people everywhere to repent in light of the coming judgment. ### The New Heavens and New Earth 2 Peter 3 speaks of the promise of a new heaven and a new earth, a theme that is also found in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 65|Isaiah 65:17-25]] and later in [[Revelation/Revelation Chapter 21|Revelation 21]]. This theme underscores the biblical narrative of restoration and renewal, where God will create a new order free from sin and death, fulfilling His ultimate plan for creation. ### Scoffers and the Reliability of God's Word The chapter addresses scoffers who doubt the promise of Christ's return, paralleling the skepticism faced by prophets like [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 17]] and [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 12]]. The reliability of God's word is emphasized, as Peter reminds readers of God's past actions, such as the creation of the world and the flood, illustrating that God's promises, whether of judgment or salvation, are trustworthy. ### The Call to Holiness and Godliness In light of the impending return of the Lord, believers are exhorted to live holy and godly lives. This call echoes the exhortations found in [[1 Peter/1 Peter Chapter 1|1 Peter 1:15-16]], where believers are called to be holy as God is holy. The pursuit of godliness is a recurring theme in the epistles, encouraging believers to embody the transformative power of the gospel in their daily lives. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Day of the Lord In [[2 Peter/2 Peter Chapter 3]], the #apostlePeter addresses the fulfillment of the prophecy concerning "the day of the Lord," which is a recurring theme throughout the #OldTestament. This phrase refers to a future time when God will intervene decisively in human affairs, bringing judgment and salvation. Peter's mention of the day of the Lord aligns with prophecies found in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 13|Isaiah 13:9-13]], [[Joel/Joel Chapter 2|Joel 2:1-11]], and [[Zephaniah/Zephaniah Chapter 1|Zephaniah 1:14-18]], which describe a time of divine reckoning. ### The Promise of New Heavens and a New Earth Peter speaks of the promise of new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells, as a fulfillment of prophetic visions found in the #OldTestament. This promise echoes the prophecy in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 65|Isaiah 65:17]] and [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 66|Isaiah 66:22]], where God declares the creation of a new heavens and a new earth. The apostle Peter reiterates this hope, assuring believers of God's faithfulness to fulfill His promises and establish a realm of everlasting peace and righteousness. ### Scoffers in the Last Days Peter warns of scoffers who will come in the last days, questioning the promise of Christ's return. This fulfills the prophetic warnings given by Jesus and the apostles about the appearance of false teachers and skeptics in the end times. Jesus Himself warned about such individuals in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 24|Matthew 24:11]] and [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 24|Matthew 24:24]], and the apostle Paul also forewarned about them in [[1 Timothy/1 Timothy Chapter 4|1 Timothy 4:1]] and [[2 Timothy/2 Timothy Chapter 3|2 Timothy 3:1-5]]. Peter's reminder highlights the fulfillment of these predictions and encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith. ### The Longsuffering of God Peter points out that God's delay in fulfilling His promise is an act of longsuffering, desiring that none should perish but that all should come to repentance. This concept is consistent with God's character as revealed in the #OldTestament, such as in [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 18|Ezekiel 18:23]] and [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 33|Ezekiel 33:11]], where God expresses His desire for the wicked to turn from their ways and live. The apostle Peter underscores that God’s patience is an opportunity for salvation, fulfilling His promise of mercy and redemption for those who repent. ## Verses - **2 Peter 3:1** - "This is my second letter to you, dear friends, and in both of them I have tried to stimulate your wholesome thinking and refresh your memory." - *Note:* Reference to [[2 Peter/2 Peter Chapter 1]] - **2 Peter 3:2** - "I want you to remember what the holy prophets said long ago and what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles." - *Note:* Reference to the prophets in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 1]], [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 1]]. The apostles' teachings are found in [[Acts/Acts Chapter 2]]. - **2 Peter 3:3** - "Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires." - *Note:* Parallel to [[Jude/Jude Chapter 1]] - **2 Peter 3:4** - "They will say, 'What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.'" - *Note:* Reference to skepticism discussed in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 24]] - **2 Peter 3:5** - "They deliberately forget that God made the heavens long ago by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water." - *Note:* Creation account in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 1]] - **2 Peter 3:6** - "Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood." - *Note:* Reference to the Great Flood in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 7]] - **2 Peter 3:7** - "And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed." - *Note:* Reference to judgment in [[Revelation/Revelation Chapter 20]] - **2 Peter 3:8** - "But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day." - *Note:* Reference to God's time in [[Psalm/Psalm 90]] - **2 Peter 3:9** - "The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent." - *Note:* Reference to God's patience in [[1 Timothy/1 Timothy Chapter 2]] - **2 Peter 3:10** - "But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment." - *Note:* Reference to the day of the Lord in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 24]] - **2 Peter 3:11** - "Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live," - *Note:* Call to holiness in [[1 Peter/1 Peter Chapter 1]] - **2 Peter 3:12** - "looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames." - *Note:* Reference to the new heavens and earth in [[Revelation/Revelation Chapter 21]] - **2 Peter 3:13** - "But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness." - *Note:* New creation promise in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 65]] - **2 Peter 3:14** - "And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight." - *Note:* Encouragement to live blamelessly in [[Philippians/Philippians Chapter 2]] - **2 Peter 3:15** - "And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him—" - *Note:* Reference to Paul's letters in [[Romans/Romans Chapter 2]] - **2 Peter 3:16** - "speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction." - *Note:* Reference to misunderstanding of scriptures in [[1 Corinthians/1 Corinthians Chapter 2]] - **2 Peter 3:17** - "You already know these things, dear friends. So be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing." - *Note:* Warning against false teachings in [[Colossians/Colossians Chapter 2]] - **2 Peter 3:18** - "Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen." - *Note:* Encouragement to grow in grace in [[Ephesians/Ephesians Chapter 4]]