The Surety of the End of Days- 2 Peter 3:1–13

The Surety of the End of Days- 2 Peters 3:1–13

Events surrounding the End Times always draws a mixture of fear and attention. Everyone wants to know if, when, and how the world will end. There have been many, throughout the history of the church, who have thought the end of time would take place soon.

The Thessalonian believers, for example, were distressed because they believed people that said the Day of the Lord had arrived (2 Thess. 2:1–2). They were terrified! Paul says they were “shaken in mind” and “alarmed.” Similar to people today when they hear something unsettling on the news. Paul comforts them telling them, “It’s not happening yet!”

Some of the Thessalonians were apparently quitting their jobs and not working (3:6–12). Although we do not know for sure, it would not surprise me to see their beliefs in the End Times were related to their present laziness.

Today, the church faces similar issues. Fear abounds with the various leaders of countries rising to power. Many people wondered if the end times were upon us when covid-19 swept over the world. Others think that peace deals, or the lack thereof, in the Middle East is an indicator of the end of days. Many people, and perhaps you are one of them, live in deep fear. Does the Scripture teach us about the end times? Does God’s Word offer us comfort?

Yes, it does. God has given, as we learned in 2 Pet. 1:3–4, everything we need for a life of godliness, including how to live in light of the end of days. The world will end. The Scriptures definitely teach this. We can trust the Lord’s Word in this matter, draw comfort from it, rely on His grace, and live for His glory. But more than just scratching the itch of our desires for knowing about the end of days, we see from this passage that

The knowledge of the Surety of the End of Days should lead us to live like Christ.

I. The Sacrilegious Scoffing of Men- 3:1–7

We begin with the sacrilegious scoffing of men. Ever since Genesis chapter 4, we have seen men (and women) scoff at the Lord. The history we have recorded in the Word of God demonstrates, time after time, the sacrilegious scoffing of men. We could spend several moments skimming the Scriptures for examples of this.

But since we are in this second letter of Peter, we will limit our focus to his life, experiences, and writings. Peter gives an encouragement to us: he is reminding us of some important truths about “the last days.” You see, we are in a unique period of redemptive history (redemptive history being a phrase that describes God’s work in human affairs). We are in the “now and not yet” life. We experience the glories of what is to come now. We know, too, that there are many glories that are coming, too.

We will follow Peter’s train of thought by noting first that we should remember the Word of God.

A. Remember the Word of God- 3:1–2

Peter says “you should remember” two things: “The predictions of the holy prophets” and “the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles.” Remember the Old and New Testaments. Recall them to mind. It is a similar expression as a parent telling their kid about to spend the night at a friend’s house “remember to brush your teeth and say please and thank you!”

Listen to what Peter connects back to God’s Word just in this epistle:

Growth toward Christlikeness (1:5–7)

Effectiveness and fruitfulness (1:8–11)

Guidance and assurance (1:16–21)

Comfort for the judgment of the wicked (2:4–10)

Protection against evil lifestyles and false teachings (2:11–22)

Remember the Word of God! This is vital for our growth and stability, and protection against the sacrilegious scoffers, to which we now turn our attention.

B. The Scoffing Scoffers- 3:3–7

There are two points with which we can identify these people: their scoffing and their sinful lifestyles. We have seen, in detail, their lifestyles described in chapter 2. We have not discussed, though, their scoffing. What exactly are these scoffers scoffing? (A Hebrew way of expression)

They are scoffing at the thought of the coming of the Lord. They do not believe Jesus will return. Though not officially around in Peter’s day, they maintain a similar view to uniformitarianism. Things are they way they have always been! God will not come back!

These scoffing scoffers ignore, or, as we just read, “deliberately overlook this fact” that God made the world and then judged the world. Peter is reminding his readers of God’s judgment in the flood, and as He judged through the flood so too He will judge through the fire.

Remember God’s Word, be protected against the sacrilegious scoffers. We also recall, as we meditate on the Word of God, in the persistent patience of God!

II. The Persistent Patience of God- 3:8–10

God deals with time differently than we mere mortals. He is, as He revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14. God is the eternally-self-existing One. He is in the past, the present, and the future, all simultaneously. Peter tells us this much in fewer words. A day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as a day with God.

This may cause us to think the Lord is slow. His delay in judging the world is not because God is slow. God has no connection to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Rather, He is patient.

God is patient. He was patient with the pre-flood world for 120 years. Each act of violence deserved the immediate execution of God’s judgment, but He is patient.

The Lord is patient with this present age. Each sin deserves the immediate execution of God’s judgment, but He is patient.

And is He not patient with you, child of God? How many times do we sin against His goodness? How many times do we sin, and then ask for forgiveness, only to turn around and sin again? God is patient!

God will fulfill all His promises to His people, though it may take years, centuries, and even millennia. He will delay His judgment in order to save His people. But how? How can God forestall His judgment? Paul answers this question for us in Romans 3:21–26.

In Romans we see these truths:

God’s righteousness is revealed in the Law, and both Jews and Gentiles have sinned and deserve His righteous punishment

God’s righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ, and both Jews and Gentiles who believe escape His righteous punishment

God’s righteousness is revealed in time

Jesus is a Lamb slain before the foundation of the world; we were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (cf. Eph. 1:4)

Jesus was born at the right time in human history (cf. Gal. 4:4)

As a result, God displayed “His divine forbearance…over former sins” and we can, biblically and logically conclude that He also displays divine forbearance over future sins”

To connect us back to Peter’s epistle in 2:9, the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, He also knows how to rescue the ungodly through Christ from coming judgment.

The fact is that the judgment of God will come. It is not a matter of if but when!

The sacrilegious scoffing of men denies the sure judgment coming, while we remember the persistent patience of God, and in turn we see the difference that this dissolving makes in daily life.

III. The Difference Because of the Dissolving - 3:11–13

We know, through the precious and very great promises, the prophetic word more fully confirmed than the Transfiguration, and the predictions of the prophets and apostles of the Lord, that this creation will be melted away. Just as an alka seltzer tablet dissolves in the water, the earth and heavens (all creation) will be dissolved through the power and might of God. Everything will be exposed (cf. Heb. 4:13; Rev. 20:11–15)

“Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness?” This life is temporary, the next eternal. How should you live? In a short answer: like Jesus. We should live a life of complete love and obedience to God and love to neighbor.

Or, to phrase it like Peter does, “live loves of holiness and godliness,” as we wait (passive) and hasten (active, through our lives) this glorious coming Day of the Lord.

We know this world will end, when, we know not, but that it will end, is a surety.

Are we living differently? Husbands, are you loving your wives as Christ loves the Church? Parents, are you bringing your children/grandchildren up in the admonition of the LORD? Are you obeying your rulers? Engaging in the worship and growth of the church?

If not, you are edging closer and close to these false teachers. You will be surprised on that great and terrible day. Be ready for that day now.