2 Peter 3:1-3. This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up pour pure minds by way of remembrance: that ye may be mindful of the words which. were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: knowing this first that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
This prophecy is most certainly being fulfilled in these days.
2 Peter 3:4. And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the father fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
«Inviolable laws still govern the material creation. Men are still swift to sin. Oppressors are not overthrown; and, oftentimes, the good are left to languish in poverty and suffering. ‘Where is the promise of his coming?'»
2 Peter 3:5. For this they willingly are ignorant of,
Ignorant that there has been one great interposition of God to avenge the insults to his holy law, and to overturn the rule of sin: «For this they willingly are ignorant of,»
2 Peter 3:5-6. That by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
God did destroy man, and sweep away sin, with water once.
2 Peter 3:7. But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
There will come a second interposition; we know not when, but assuredly it shall come; and if the visitation tarry, we must wait for it; for it shall come, it shall not really tarry, however long it may seem to be delayed.
2 Peter 3:8. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
There are no years to him; there are no days to the great Ancient of days. A thousand years must seem to be a mere speck in comparison with his everlasting existence, as a dream when one awaketh, it has swiftly passed away; but God still remaineth.
2 Peter 3:9. The Lord in not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Therefore does he wait. If men ask why there is no interposition of wrath to overthrow the ungodly, the answer is, because this is part of God's great reign of love. He waits, because he is «not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance;» yet there will be a limit even to his patience.
2 Peter 3:10. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the eight; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
The next and great judgment will be by fire.
2 Peter 3:11-12. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat ?
This should be the practical outcome of the anticipation of coming judgment. Let us look on «all these things» as passing away.
2 Peter 3:13. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
The end of this world will be the beginning of a new and better one, of which «righteousness» will be the great characteristic.
2 Peter 3:14. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
There is, again, the practical note.
2 Peter 3:15-16. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
The Scriptures are given for our learning; and, rightly used, guide us to the Saviour; yet, alas! some «wrest» them «unto their own destruction.» Let none of us ever be found committing such fatal folly as that.
2 Peter 3:17-18. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 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.
I should like to point out to young Christians, and to all Christian people, how Peter finishes this Epistle, first with a warning and then with a counsel. He says, «Beware lest ye be led away,» and then he puts in a «but» «but grow in grace.» If you go into a plantation, at a certain time of the year, you may see a great number of trees that have no leaves upon them; how are you to know which are alive, and which are not? Well, you would soon know if you could look at their roots. If a tree has been growing, if its roots have taken hold upon the soil, you may pall it, but you will not stir it. There it stands; and, in likemanner, growth in grace brings fixity in grace. You who have faith, pray God that you may have growing faith. A living faith is a growing faith, and a growing faith is a living faith. Pray, therefore, that you may «grow in grace.»
This exposition consisted of readings from Acts 3:11-26; Acts 4:1-44; and 2 Peter 3:1