II Peter 3, The Lord's Return

Peter has denounced recent false prophets who, like false prophets of old, teach for their own gain and glory, without concern for God or spiritual truth.

2 Peter 3: 1-2, Recall the prophets
Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.

Presumably this letter follows the earlier letter of Peter, stimulated by concerns about the false teachings, most likely related to first century gnosticism.

2 Peter 3: 3-7, Where is the second coming?
First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this `coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and  destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved  for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

One concern late in the first century was the fact that the apostles had taught that the return of Jesus was imminent.  So where was he?  Peter's answer is essentially that God has a plan and its timeline is a long one.  If the delay in Jesus's return was a question for the late first century, it is certainly one for today, two thousand years later!

2 Peter 3: 8-10, God's timing is different
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed  by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 

If a thousand years is a mere 'day' to God, argues Peter, then our own small perspective is very short and we do not see the even a small part of the great picture.

Peter suggests that God delays the Return so as to reach out to all mankind.  This is a missional statement for the early church.

2 Peter 3: 11-13, Live as part of the new heaven and earth!
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

See the revelation of John for more details on this new heaven and new earth!

Throughout the New Testament, the future kingdom is viewed as a truly physical kingdom, with a new universe replacing the current one.  It is not a kingdom of angels sitting on clouds up in 'heaven' but a re-creation, a renewal, by God.

2 Peter 3: 14-16, Patient living (& Paul)
So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.

He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own  destruction.

Until Jesus returns, we are to live blameless, holy lives, presumably engaged in our world and community.

This mention of Paul's letters is unique and indicates that this letter is very late, that Paul's letters have widely circulated.  Peter then goes on to call Paul's letters "Scripture", equating them with the statements of the Old Testament prophets.

2 Peter 3: 17-18, Be alert and keep growing
Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

The letter ends with a final reminder to the young church about error and the importance of growing in Jesus's grace.

I have found this letter a little strange in it view of heavens, hell, angels and false prophets.  It merits more study.  But now, tomorrow, we will move on to the gospel at the beginning of the New Testament, that of Matthew, written for his brother and sister Jews.