In 2 Peter 3, Peter cautions us
to never forget Judgement Day–both its impact and its nearness. Paul wrote the church to remind them to cling to
the Word of God because mockers will come in the last days. These mockers, having
rejected the knowledge of God follow their
own passions with total disregard of any impending judgment.
Their primary scoff has to do with the coming of Christ. Their
attitude is, “Where is the promise of His coming? You Christians have been telling
us that God is going to intervene in history, punish the wicked, and destroy
the earth. There is no evidence that God
ever has intervened in history; why should we believe that He ever will? Therefore,
we can live as we please.”
The
scoffers deliberately ignore one fact—the flood. God did intervene at
one time in the affairs of men, and the specific purpose of His intervention
was to punish wickedness. God judged the world in the flood of Noah, and the world is scheduled
for judgment again when Christ returns. God has promised to end the history of ungodly men with judgment.
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.
2 Peter 3:7
In view of what is in store for the world, Peter asks the church, "What kind of people ought you to be?"
Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found in Him in peace, without spot and blameless.
2 Peter 3:14
Knowing that we shall soon stand before God should create within us a desire to be without spot and blameless, that is, to be morally clean. It should make us zealous to be found in a state of peace, not strife. We should like our lives seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. When Jesus Christ returns let us be found living as we are going to live during the Kingdom Age, holy to the Lord.
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