Preparing for the Future. The Christian s Hope. 2 Peter 3:1-18

1 Preparing for the Future The Christian s Hope 2 Peter 3:1-18

2 Preparing for the Future The Christian s Hope Text: 2 Peter 3:1-18, 1. This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2. 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: 3. Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4. 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. 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: 6. Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 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. 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. 9. The Lord is 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. 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, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

3 11. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12. 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? 13. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 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. 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; 16. 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. 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. 18. 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. Expanded Translation: This loved ones, is the second epistle (letter) that I now write you you. In both of these, I thoroughly arouse (literally, wake up) your honest, candid, and sincere minds my putting you in rememberance (reminding you of your duties and privileges in the Gospel); in order to call back to your mind the words which have previously been spoken by the holy (reverent, upright) prophets, and the commandment (charge) of the Lord and Savior by (from) your apostles. Realizing this first (and keeping it uppermost in your minds), that at the time of the last days mockers (deriders, scoffers) shall come with (or, in)

4 mockery (scoffing, derision), walking according to (dominated by) their own personal cravings and strong desires (not what God desires), while they are saying, Where is the (fulfillment of the) promise of his (Christ s second) coming? For from the time that the fathers fell asleep (i.e. died), all things are remaining as they are (fixed and permanent in their pattern, course, or place) as they were at (and from) the beginning of creation. For they, because of their desire to do so, purposely and willfully ignore and let go unnoticed the fact that by (through) the word of God the heavens of long ago were brought into being, and an earth was put together-part of it sticking up out of the water and part of it in the midst of water- through which means (words and actions of God) the world which existed at that time perished and was brought to ruin, being (as it was) flooded over with water. But when God decides to destroy the earth a second time, the case will be different. The heavens that exist now and the earth (land), by means of the same word (which word caused the antediluvians to perish ) are reserved unto the day of judgment and (the day of the) destruction (perishing) of ungodly and irreverent men. But loved ones, instead of being like those around you (who willfully forget, v. 5) you must not ignore, let go unnoticed, or forget this one thing: that one day is as a thousand years as far as the Lord is concerned, and a thousand years is as one day (therefore, the elapse of time does not hinder his purposes). The Lord is not slow or delaying concerning (the fulfillment of) his promise (to destroy the world by fire) in the manner that some men think of slowness or delay, but rather is longsuffering and patient, (withholding His wrath) toward you, not purposing, determining, or wishing that any person perish and be lost, but rather that all should come to repentance (a radical change of mind for the better, which influences the whole life).

5 However long it may seem to be delayed, be assured the day of the Lord will come. It will come as a thief (that is, suddenly and unexpectedly). At that time the heavens shall pass away, (pass by, disappear, vanish) with a loud, rushing, crashing noise, and the elements or basic components of the earth (atoms) shall be disengaged, unbound, and broken apart while they are burning intensely, and the earth and the works (accomplishments of man) that are in it shall be burned up (consumed by fire). Realizing that these things [the earth, v. 10; and the skies, v. 12] are all to be broken apart, unfastened, and dissolved in the manner of which I speak, what kind of persons it is necessary and proper for you to be in all things which are manifestations of holy (pure, sanctified, dedicated) living and godliness (devotion, reverence toward God) looking for (anticipating) and earnestly desiring (eagerly expecting) the coming (appearance, presence) of the day of God. On account of this manifestation of his presence, the heavens, being set on fire and burning shall be caused to disintegrate (break apart, dissolve) and the elements (basic) or primary components of matter, as in v. 10) burning intensely and with great heat, shall be liquefied and melted. But (though this world shall surely be destroyed as I have described), in accordance with his promise to grant us such, we look with anticipation and expectation for new, fresh, unused heavens and a new, fresh, unused earth. Wherefore (in conclusion) loved ones, in view of the fact that your are looking for and anticipating these things, you must be diligent, exert yourself, and put forth earnest effort to be found in peace, without spot (moral or spiritual blotch) and blameless (without censure) before him (or in him). And, instead of considering his delaying to come as proof that he will never come, you must account (deem, consider) that the patience, forebearance, and longsuffering or our Lord provides a means and

6 opportunity for the salvation of sinners (giving them time to repent); even as (just as) our beloved and cherished brother Paul, in accordance with the wisdom (skill and discretion in imparting Christian truth) which was imparted to him by God, wrote unto you; As also, is true in all his epistles (letters), speaking in them concerning these very things (of which I have just spoken). In these epistles certain things (statements) are hard to understand, which the unlearned, (uninstructed, ignorant) and unstedfast (unsettled, unstable) wrench, distort, and pervert, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction, ruin, and damnation. You therefore, loved ones, knowing ahead of time that these men treat the scripture in this manner, be on the watch! Keep guard! Lest, having been carried away (led astray) by the error (wrong opinion, misleading doctrines) of the wicked, lawless and unrestrained, you fall from (and thus lose) your own steadfastness and firmness. But rather than falling from your own steadfastness, you must keep on growing (increasing, enlarging) in that way of living which gains the grace (favor, acceptance) and knowledge (understanding) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory (praise, honor) both now and forever (literally, unto the day of eternity.) Commentary: 2 Peter 3:1, 2, This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your 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: I. The author of this epistle is the author of another epistle written to these same disciples.

7 A. Peter is the author of both books which bear his name! II. In both of these letters Peter was writing to beloved and sincere Christians to put them in remembrance of the words of the prophets and commandments of Jesus Christ as spoken through the apostles. A. Jude 1:17, 18, But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. B. The prophets spoke of the Christian era. Daniel 2, Isaiah 2, 11, 53, Micah 4, Jeremiah 31, Joel 2. 2 Peter 3:3, 4, 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. I. Christians may expect to be mocked because of our beliefs and manner of life. A. Matthew 20:19, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again. B. John 15:18-20, If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. II. The last days refer to the Christian era, the last dispensation.

8 A. After this age, the world ends. B. Hebrews 1:2, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; C. 2 Timothy 3:1, This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. III. These mockers mock and ridicule Christians, but their lives are rotten to the core; that is, they walk after their own lusts. A. These mockers say they can see no sign of Christ s second coming, that things are going as they have always gone. B. Matthew 25:13, Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour. 2 Peter 3:5, 6, 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: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: I. These mockers forget that the created world was suddenly and unexpectedly destroyed (ruined, perished) by flood in Noah s day. A. Sinners willfully forget many things to their detriment which, if remembered, could lead to their salvation. II. Peter stated Christ will suddenly return and the world will end! A. 2 Corinthians 5:10, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

9 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. I. The heavens and earth will be destroyed by fire. II. God s word created the world, produced the flood of Noah s day, and will call for the second coming of Christ, the judgment, and the end of the world. A. Of that day and hour no man knows! 2 Peter 3:8, 9, 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. The Lord is 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. I. The mockers need to know that God s view of time is not their views of time! A. A thousand years is as one day with God. B. Don t be in such a hurry. C. God will do in his own good time what he said he will do! D. Time means nothing to God! II. God will keep his promises! III. The second coming of Christ, the end of the world, and the judgment have been delayed to give the lost time to repent!

10 A. God is longsuffering and wants to give everyone all possible opportunities to be saved. B. 1 Timothy 2:4, Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. C. Revelation 22:17, And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. 2 Peter 3:10, 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, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. I. The day of the Lord and its attendant events will occur unexpectedly, suddenly, without notice! A. Matthew 24:42-44, Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. II. With an indescribable noise and intense fire, the world will end, will be dissolved. A. Super Nova! B. 2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8, So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

11 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? I. In view of these horrendous events, we had better live in holiness and godliness. II. Those living in holiness and godliness can look forward with eager anticipation, not fear, to the promised day of the Lord. A. 1 Thessalonians 4:18, Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 2 Peter 3:13, Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. I. After these events of the end of the world, the saved will live in an utopian new heaven and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness. A. John 14:1-3, Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. B. Luke 20:34-36, And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

12 C. Revelation 21:1, And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 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. I. In view of the heavenly home of the soul, give utmost dilegence to live so as to meet God in peace without spot (sin) and blameless in God s sight. A. Romans 5:1, 2, Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. B. Philippians 2:15, That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 2 Peter 3:15, 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; I. God s longsuffering (delay in bringing about the destruction of the world) is designed to allow more people to achieve salvation. II. Our beloved brother Paul wrote about these things as God inspired him (gave him wisdom and understanding). A. Both Paul and Peter wrote to these same people. B. Peter was familiar with the writings of Paul.

13 C. Paul had years before rebuked Peter (Galatians 2:11 ff), but now Peter regards Paul with genuine affection. 1. Galatians 2:11-21, But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. 2 Peter 3:16, 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.

14 I. Paul s writings and some other parts of the Bible as well contain some things difficult to understand. A. Because some passages are hard to understand is no reason for not studying those particular scriptures. II. Some in their lack of understanding wrest, twist these difficult scriptures to their own destruction. III. It is vital that we handle aright the word of truth! A. The Bible is a two edged sword it can cut forward or backward. 2 Peter 3:17, 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. I. To be forewarned is to be forearmed! A. We must be careful lest we let the wicked mockers cause us to weaken in our Christian stedfastness. B. Galatians 2:13, And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. C. 1 Corinthians 10:12, Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 2 Peter 3:18, 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.

15 I. Instead of wavering in our Christian service, we should grow in the favor (grace) and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. II. To the Lord belongs all the glory our lives can reflect now and forever unto the day of eternity! unending day of the Lord. III. Amen! Let it be so! Song: My Hope is Built on Nothing Less 1. My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name. 2. When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil. 3. His oath, His covenant, His blood, Support me in the whelming flood; When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay. 4. When He shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in Him be found; Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne. Chorus: On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand. The Solid Rock Edward Mote, 1834 William B. Bradbury, 1863

16 Questions 2 Peter 3:1-18 1. Who wrote this epistle? To whom was this epistle written? 2. may expect to be because of our and of. 3. How should Christians deal with the world s hatred? 4. To what do the last days refer? 5. How did these mockers live? Describe their lifestyle.

17 6. In what respects are the destruction of the world in Noah s day and the destruction of the world when Jesus returns comparable? 7. What lessons should Christians learn from these devastations? 8. What is God s attitude toward time? Why has it taken so long for Jesus to return? 9. Describe Christ s second coming?

18 10. In view of these, we had better in and. Those in and can look forward with, not, to the of the. 11. What will happen to the saved after the world ends? 12. What was Peter s attitude toward Paul at the time this epistle was written? 13. What was or had been Paul s attitude toward Peter?

19 14. Some of the Bible is hard to understand (verse 16). Will we be held responsible if we do not understand and obey all the hard to understand passages in the Bible? Explain your answer. 15. Christians are to in the ( ) and of our and. To the belongs all the our can reflect and unto the of! unending of the.