The Beauty Of Second Peter-Chapter 3

Once again, as we continue our inductive journey through Second Peter, I encourage you to read chapter 3. Our study begins in verse 1 of chapter 3. Let's dig in.

As I read scripture, no matter where, I come across many calls by God to remember. God was constantly helping the Hebrews to remember their captivity in Egypt, and remember how He delivered them. In the first verse, God is, again, calling us to remember. He tells us to remember the words that were spoken by the prophets of old (v2), and the eminent return of our Lord. Jesus Christ is coming again to judge the living and the dead, however in these first verses, we are reminded that Christ is coming specifically to judge those that are scorners and those that would dispute His return. In other words, He has something to say to those that doubt. Jesus will come again, and those that say otherwise will be held accountable. The warning is to those that are false teachers and prophets and the like in this world, and it is absolutely applicable today. What is vital here, is that we do not fall prey to the false teachings of this world. We must have a biblical world view to combat the false teachings of unbelievers, doubters and heretics which are rampant in the world around us. Peter wanted to “stir up” the Jews he was writing to, but is this not a call to “stir us up”, ourselves, today? When God says “stir up”, He intends to get you moving. He intends to stir up your mind in such a way that we have to take a proactive approach to the dangers around us. Did you hear that? He wants us to move in such a way that we can withstand the dangers the world has to throw at us. This is a biblical world view.

Moving on to verse 8, we see a semi troubling statement by God. In fact, I have been told by some that this verse is the proof that evolution is a fact, deeming it “Theistic Evolution”. What this verse really is , is a great example of the need to keep things in context, inductively, with the whole of scripture. God's Word is so wonderful and perfect that He, without fail, offers definitions and explanations right there, in His Word. God's Word is it's own commentary. To explain verse 8, we need to look at verse 9. Also, read Psalm 90:9 to get a clearer picture of what a thousand years is to God.

Looking at verse 9, what is to be taken away from this is that God is not constrained by time, like I am, or you. He is long suffering toward us, patient. He is not slow, or slack with His promise but He did deliver us, just as He said He would (Isaiah 46:13). I have no reason to doubt. God's patience toward me far exceeds any definition of patience I have. To God, it may take one day, or a thousand years for one man to come to repentance. He is not willing that any should perish, but that ALL come to salvation through Jesus Christ. But, make no mistake, there will come a time when God's longsuffering will come to an end, read Revelation 2:21.

Stay tuned for the rest of chapter 3.