Second Peter Chapter 3, verses 3-14
by Rev. Paul J. Bern
Video link
For this week’s Sunday message, I need to bring to your attention some upcoming events that have been predicted with numerous examples throughout the Bible. Although much has been said on video and written about on this blog and a multitude of others, there are books and chapters from the 12 apostles that are lesser known because not enough is being said about them, as if what they left behind weren’t as important as the writings of the others. The first and second books written (or possibly dictated to scribes) by the apostle Peter are two such examples. For this week’s message I will be quoting from 2nd Peter chapter 3, the very last chapter composed by Peter not long before he was martyred for the Faith.
The Apostle Peter’s Warning to the Saints of Jesus Christ
Peter the apostle composed some words of warning concerning life in the Last Days in which we are currently living. This does not mean that I think this will happen in the coming days, or anything like that. There is too much Biblical prophecy that remains unfulfilled to be able to claim impending doom for any of us, so you need not worry about that. One such example can be found in the second book of Peter chapter three. I will begin at verse 3 and end at verse 14. Although there is still more, I encourage each of you to research that on your own, which you can do from this link. But for now, let’s go to the text, which reads as follows:
Study Verses For Your Enrichment
“3) Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4) They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5) But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6) By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7) By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
“8) But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9) The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10) But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
“11) Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12) as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13) But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 14) So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.” (2nd Peter 3, verses 3-14)
This Prophecy of Peter’s Is Coming True In the Present Tense
Let’s go through this passage one verse at a time, since there is so much in here. Verses 3 and 4 sound pretty similar to what some have been saying for decades. Belief in the salvation of Christ will begin to disintegrate. This will happen so infrequently that it will be barely be noticeable, especially at first. But as the years have gone by, I have noticed an increased dissemination of skepticism surrounding the existence and ministry of the Lord Jesus. This is a good match for the words of Peter the apostle, so we are living through this very thing right now.
Judgment by Fire Is Coming, and There Will Be No Place to Hide
But Peter was just getting rolling, as we see in verses 5 and 6, “5) But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6) By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.” Of course, Peter was referring to the Book of Genesis and the story of Noah and the Great Flood. He is reminding us all that the Great Flood happened for good reasons. Continuing on, he wrote in verse 7, “7) By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.”
God Wants No One to Perish From the Coming Destruction
The destruction of the earth by fire could only happen in one of three ways: a massive volcanic eruption, a planet-killing asteroid, or a nuclear war. Clearly this does not bode well for the future of humanity. Then Peter explains why there will be survivors of this great cataclysm: “8) But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9) The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” This lines up perfectly with the words of Jesus in Matthew chapter 24, “No man knows the day or the hour, nor do the angels, not even the Son; but only the Father in heaven”.
What Will Happen Will Transpire Quickly and Without Mercy
“10) But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. 11) Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12) as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.” This ‘destruction by fire’ is repeatedly mentioned in these verses and elsewhere in the Bible, but for the sake of brevity I’ll stick strictly to 2nd Peter for now.
Get Clear of the Coming Heat
Peter continues, “11) Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12) as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13) But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 14) So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.” I don’t know about the rest of you, but I don’t want to “melt in the heat” either.
Watch and Pray
Live right and you will be spared. If you’re not doing this yet, or if you have tried and failed up until this point, don’t despair your situation or lose confidence in yourselves. Keep trying, and you may be surprised to find the risen Spirit of the Lord welling up within you. Watch and pray, everyone. Watch and pray for the quickening of the Day of the Lord to come upon you, and make yourselves ready for when it arrives. Do that as you keep the risen Savior alive in your hearts, and one fine day you will get to meet Him face to face.
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