2 Peter Chapter three

2 Peter Chapter 3 “This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance”. ~ Peter again sets forth the principle of the purpose of the gospel; that is, to confirm those who are in possession of the truth via the new covenant written in their hearts. John tells us in his first epistle 2:20 that these truth are due to the unction of The Holy One, and he needs only to reminded us what the new covenant has already witnessed in are hearts. Matthew 18:16 tells us that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. We find in Eph 1:13 after that when ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. The gospel faith bears witness with the dealt faith (Rom 1:17) and confirms these truths to those defined in 1 Peter 2:9. ‘Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness (of the law worship) into his marvelous light’. 2 Thess 2:13 “chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

"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, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. ~ The last days of the law service centered in Jerusalem. No doubt there were some in these last days of the law service that felt like some are saying today, that his coming in this generation must mean something different than what it said. Now some thirty or forty years afterward he still had not come in the generation wherein Jesus had stated he would come, for many of the fathers of Jesus’ day had fallen asleep and still he had not come.

Vs 5 “For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water.” These brethren were willingly ignorant ~ just what is meant by being willingly ignorant? The truth did not fit their agenda, just as many ministers who have turned from the truth today to improve upon the word of God, so that greater numbers will come into the church. They say the true doctrines of Christ will not accomplish what they desire. Therefore they willingly ignore of it and go about promoting their own agenda.

Vs 6 “Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 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.” ~ Here Peter relates the judgment (Heb 10:30) when, ‘the Lord shall judge his people’ to the flood, which destroyed all but eight of the race of Adam. If these verses are speaking of the end time, then Peter used a bad comparison, for only eight people were saved from this destruction. Paul teaches this same lesson in Romans 9:15-24, concerning the called out of (Mt 22:11-14), which were added unto the church (Acts 2:47). The lesson is about the judgment of those to whom he came unto (Jh 1:11) and when they had known him (Rom 1:19) rejected him (Mt 21:32, Lk 7:30). Yes these Jews (Matt 21:38) knowing he was the heir; said come, ‘let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.’ Yes God raised up these selfrighteous Jews just as he did Pharaoh.

Vs 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.” ~ Had these false teachers understood the timetable of God, they would have known that the temple would last from 3000 AM until 4000 AM or one thousand years. (See my Time line).

Vs 9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance usward. ~ The promise of his coming was in ‘this generation’ whereas Peter would remember the statement Jesus made to him in Jh 21:21 saying that John would tarrying, not depart this life until Jesus returned in judgment of the Jews. Yes he came at the appointed time (4000 AM), therefore Peter tells these disciples to not be discouraged and fall in unbelief as did Israel in the wilderness.

Vs 10 “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise. The elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth (law service) also and the works (animal sacrifices) that are therein shall be burned up.” Jesus will come as he had promised the apostle and the old nation of Israel and the law service will be destroyed: the sign gifts will end. The new spiritual Israel will be brought to maturity wherein the law is written in their hearts will guide them in all truths (Jh 14:16).

Vs 11 “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. The elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. Peter pleads with these saints to stand fast, and persevere in the faith, for only in the truth will they find true peace. What manner of person here is defining the salvation under consideration? It is here in time, too be more specific it is while the generation to which he is speaking with are living.

Vs 15 “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. They that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” Brethren be not shaken by those who cast doubts of your eternal salvation, for they have wrested the scriptures to fit a “scare ye” doctrine to get the numbers, which Peter tells us is to their own destruction. The judgment of God’s children has taken place on Christ on the cross, therefore comfort each other with these words. (1 Thess 4:18)

Vs 17 “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 forever. Amen.” Just how one, who knows the mercies of God, can see anything herein to teach an end time judgment is beyond this poor mortals’ reasoning.

Allen Cook Rev 9/1/09