Free Bible Commentary
“Second Peter 3:3-7”
Categories: Second Peter“Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.’ For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.”
--- End of Scripture verses---
We are living in “the last days” just as Peter and the recipients of his letters were nearly 2000 years ago (Hebrews 1:1-2). And, just like in the days of the Apostles, there were cynics and skeptics scorning the prospect of the Lord Jesus returning to judge the world. Even at such an early date so shortly removed from the Lord’s Ascension, people were essentially saying that if Jesus was truly going to return He would have done so by now.
The false teachers spewed their cynicism as they went about planting the seeds of doubt within the hearts of Christ’s disciples. They followed in the footsteps of their spiritual father, Satan, as they carried on the work of the father of lies (John 8:44). Just as the old serpent told Adam and Eve that they would not die as God had told them they would for eating the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:4), so the heretics taught that God was lying to them about the Final Judgment. Notice also that the driving force behind their contempt for the truth was their own, fleshly “lusts” (verse 3). At the heart of rebellion against God and His restraining yet liberating truth is the desire to cast off all authority and moral restriction, and do just as the wicked heart pleases (Jeremiah 17:9).
Friend, please do not let it escape your notice that when God makes a “promise” (verse 4), His word is a certified guarantee. The fact that the Lord “long ago” spoke the heavens and the earth into existence from nothing is divine testimony that He will reduce them to nothing by the same “word of God” (verse 5). God promised that He would punish the wickedness of mankind by destroying the earth with the water from which He formed it, and He did just that (Genesis 6:5-7, 11-12, 17). The Lord promised that He would spare righteous Noah and his family and repopulate the earth, and He made good on His word (Genesis 6:13-14; 9:1-2). Our Great Provider vowed to send a Savior into the world to redeem mankind from the slavery and destruction of sin (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 42:1-7), and He mercifully fulfilled His promise. Our faithful Lord has also promised to judge the world and punish the unbelieving and disobedient with an all-consuming fire (verse 7) through the very same righteous instrument of His salvation (Acts 17:31). Mark His word. It will be done.
Jesus is coming soon. Morning or night or noon. Many will meet their doom. Trumpets will sound.
Just make certain that you are not numbered among the “ungodly men” who doubt, mock and scoff.
God has made provision through obedience to His Son for you to escape the “destruction” of “the day of judgement”.
Please read 2 Peter 3:8-9 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
