2 Peter 3:3-18 Our Immediate Future
Peter reminds former exiles and sojourners, now content, to keep in mind the immediate future.
2 Peter 3:3a: “…knowing this first of all….”
- Grammatical Usage: “know” or in the Greek, “ginóskó” meaning, “perceive, recognize; ascertain.”
- Literal Interpretation: “First of all be aware of the fact…”
- Contextual/Comparison: God keeps His Word: God continually uses His Word. Peter outlines four aspects of the future:
- Derision (3:1-7). The Bible speaks often of scorners, scoffers, mockers who spew derision. A scorner is one who mocks the things of God and expresses his negative opinion with derision in order to purposely involve others. Fools may think foolish thoughts, but scorners blurt them out proudly. Scorners are unteachable because they refuse to listen (Pr. 9:8; 13:1). Proverbs 15:12 says it can be a waste of time and effort to show a scorner the error of his ways. The Bible gives several characteristics of scorners and warns us to avoid them and beware lest we become like them:
- Scorners may seek wisdom but cannot find it as they are already convinced of their own opinion. We be wise if we won’t learn from the wise (Pr. 14:6)
- Scorners refuse to learn from rebukes or mistakes (Proverbs 13:1).
- Scorners are the source of strife and contention; without them: peace (Pr. 10)
- Scorners resent correction, trouble those who show them truth (Pr. 9:7; 15:12)
- Scorners are arrogant and haughty (Pr. 21:24), which keeps them at odds with God because He “resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (Ja. 4:6)
- Scorners don’t benefit from consequences, but others can learn from watching their downfall (Pr. 19:25)
We are seeing an increase of scorners in our world as established wisdom is now being rejected in favor of emotion, irrational human opinion. Given social media, scorn has never had a wider audience. We are all vulnerable to becoming scorners if we do not stay grounded in the Word of God. We have the weapons we need to keep from “sitting in the seat of the scornful.” We must be sure that we are “destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5). When we voluntarily subject every idea and opinion to the scrutiny of Scripture and the Holy Spirit, we can protect ourselves from the often-seductive words of the scorner.
- Delay (3:8-9). Jesus said that He is coming soon: “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon’” (Rev. 22:20). The Greek word “tachu”, which is translated “soon” or “quickly,” means “without unnecessary delay.” It does not mean “immediately.” The meaning seems to be that events have been set in motion that will usher in His arrival without any unnecessary delay. Point being: everything is moving along according to God’s timetable. Peter reassures us that God is not dragging His feet concerning prophetic events. God’s timing is perfect (v. 9). In this light we may understand that Jesus is coming “soon” in that God’s plan is advancing and is only delayed to allow for all the elect to be saved (Romans 8:29; Ephesians 1:5)—hence, a necessary postponement.
- Destruction (3:10-13). The Bible consistently warns us that this world will not last forever. “Heaven and earth will pass away,” Jesus said in Mt. 24:35. His statement was in the context of end times’ prophecies and the eternal nature of Jesus’ words: “My words will never pass away.” This means that trusting Jesus is wiser than trusting anything in this world. In Rev. 21:1, John writes of a new heaven and a new earth in the everlasting state, having seen that “the first heaven and the first earth had passed away” (cf. Is. 65:17). To “pass away” is to disappear or be no more. This refers to the physical heaven and earth—the material world and all it contains—but not to the spirits/souls of the inhabitants of those places. Scripture is clear that people will outlast the current material universe, some in a state of everlasting bliss and most in a state of everlasting misery, and that the current universe will be replaced by another that will never know the contamination of sin. The method of this world’s destruction is revealed: in the Day of the Lord, the universe will be destroyed by fire. The prophet Isaiah foretold the passing away of heaven and earth, too (Is. 34:4) while the Lord assures His people that, even as the heaven and earth are passing away, His salvation is secure (Is. 51:6). Knowing that heaven and earth will pass away gives us perspective in life: this world is not our home (v. 13) as Jesus tells us to have the proper priorities (Mt. 6:19–20). And Peter, after reminding us of the temporary nature of this world, says, “Dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him” (v. 14).
- Diligence (3:14-18). Diligence, or steady perseverance in one’s effort, results in careful, energetic, and persistent work. Diligent people get the job done. They don’t quit until they have given it their all. Being a follower of Christ is also to be pursued with diligence. The lackadaisical way that some professing believers approach a relationship with God is reflected nowhere in the Bible. Instead, Jesus made it clear that those who wished to be His disciples must be “all in” (Lk. 9:57–62). Unless we diligently pursue righteousness and obedience, we will experience failure. The world is too appealing, temptation too abundant. There are too many excuses for turning away. That’s why Jesus emphasized that the greatest commandment is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength” (Mk. 12:28–31). In other words, life’s ultimate goal is to diligently love the Lord. All actions flow from the posture of our hearts. When we make diligence the common ingredient in everything we do, and we choose to do godly things, we set a standard for ourselves that will propel us toward godliness and a life of excellence.
- Conclusion: Remember: we have a more sure word. Does you life reflect it?
