2 Peter 3:1-18 KJV: The Promise of the Lord's Coming
The Apostle's Reminder
2 Peter 3:1-2 (KJV)
- 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:
In this passage, Peter writes to his beloved readers, reminding them of the importance of remembering the words of the holy prophets and the commandments of the apostles. He is stirring up their pure minds by way of remembrance, emphasizing the significance of recalling the teachings of the past.
The Scoffers
2 Peter 3:3-4 (KJV)
- 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.
Peter warns his readers that in the last days, scoffers will arise, motivated by their own desires and lusts. These scoffers will question the promise of Christ's coming, pointing out that since the time of the fathers, nothing has changed, and all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.
The Forgotten Flood
2 Peter 3:5-6 (KJV)
- 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:
Peter reminds his readers that the scoffers are willingly ignorant of the fact that God created the heavens and the earth by His word. He also recalls the story of the flood, which destroyed the world that then was, and how the earth was overflowed with water.
ThePromise of the Lord's Coming
2 Peter 3:7-10 (KJV)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Peter assures his readers that the heavens and the earth are currently reserved for fire, awaiting the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. He reminds them that time is relative to God, and that one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, but is longsuffering, desiring that all should come to repentance. However, the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night, and the heavens and the earth will be destroyed with fire.
The Exhortation
2 Peter 3:11-12 (KJV)
- 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?
In light of the impending destruction, Peter exhorts his readers to be holy and godly, looking forward to and hastening the coming of the day of God.
The New Heavens and the New Earth
2 Peter 3:13 (KJV)
- Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Peter concludes by reminding his readers that, according to God's promise, they look for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
The Conclusion
2 Peter 3:14-18 (KJV)
- Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
- And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also
