Two Things to Remember about the Lord’s Promised Coming – 2 Peter 3:1-13
3 This is now, beloved, the second letter that I am writing to you. By means of them I am awakening your sincere mind by reminding you (2) to remember the words previously spoken by the holy prophets and the commandment of our Lord and Savior by your apostles.
(3) You may be sure that in the last days scoffers will come, expressing their scoffing, and living for their own evil desires. (4) They will say, “Where is the fulfillment of the promise that he will come? From the time the fathers fell asleep in death everything goes on as it has since the beginning of the creation.” (5) But this they intentionally forget; namely, that long ago there were heavens and an earth formed out of the water and in the midst of the water by the word of God. (6) By those same waters the world of that time was destroyed, being deluged with water. (7) And by that same word the present heavens and earth are being preserved for fire, reserved for the day of the judgment and destruction of ungodly mankind.
(8) Do not forget this one thing, beloved, namely, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like one day. (9) The Lord is not negligent with regard to the promise, as some consider negligence; on the contrary, he is exhibiting great patience toward you. He does not desire anyone to perish, but all to come to repentance. (10) But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that day the heavens will disappear with a loud noise, and the elements will be destroyed by being burned up, and the earth together with the works that are in it will be exposed.
(11) Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?—You ought to live in holy conduct and godliness, (12) as you watch for and eagerly await the coming of the day of God. On that day the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will be dissolved by the intense heat. (13) But, according to his promise, we are watching for a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness resides.
Now proceed to the next section of this study, entitled, Exploring the Passage.
