2 Peter 2-3 | Answering The Big Questions

Jesus was (and is) always answering the big questions. The questions that are driving us but are so deep in our souls that we don’t even know they are there.

Some people in Peter’s day (and ours) were saying, “This whole thing of Christianity is a hoax. Christ is not real. His promises are not true. He’s not coming back. There will not be a day in the future when the heavens and earth will be burned with fire and a new heaven and new earth will come forever.” All of us, if we are honest, have had some doubts at times. But these thoughts and proclamations are not doubts to the unbelieving. They are “facts” in their mind.

Jesus answers these questions in 2 Peter, Chapter 3. He reminds us that mockers with their accusations against God will come. But it “escapes their notice” that the Word of God spoke the heavens into existence, and the Word of God is always true, and the Word of God gives us promises about all of this (2 Peter 3:5-9). And then he reminds us of what we are to do with these mocker’s questions … how we are to live in light of these accusations.

Keep being diligent!

Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless (vs. 14)

Understand that God’s delays are just giving us more opportunities to win more people to Christ.

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (vs. 9)

Regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you (vs. 15)

Look for and hastening the coming of the day of God.

What sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. (vs. 11-13)

Prepare so you will be found by Him in holiness.

Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless. (vs. 14)

Remember, all of God’s promises are true and can be trusted.

As also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. (vs. 16)

Be on guard against doubts and attacks on your faith.

You, therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness (vs. 17)

Keep growing in your experiential knowledge of Christ!

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (vs. 18)

One day soon, all of God’s prophecies and promises will be completed with stunning fulfillment. For those who have denied them, it will be their greatest judgment. For those of us who, by grace, have embraced Christ and His Word, it will be our greatest joy!

Father, thank You for giving us all we need to know about the future. Give us grace to understand Your Word, to believe all that You have said, and to live accordingly by Your grace and power. Help us live today in light of Your soon coming. And thank You that a new world in which “righteousness dwells” in fullness is on the horizon!