Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on email

Read 2 Peter 3

The Day of the Lord

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.

Above 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 ancestors 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 came into being 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 the ungodly.

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. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

10 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 done in it will be laid bare.

11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 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. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 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. 16 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.

17 Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Go Deeper

The book of 2 Peter is a reminder to believers to be alert and on guard against false teaching. As we know, there was an increasing number of corrupt people that had infiltrated the church communities and were leading believers astray by their distorted theology and destructive lifestyles. Peter called believers to stand firm in the truth of the gospel amidst this corruption.

In 2 Peter 1, we see that Peter reminded believers that he is a dependable source of truth. He saw firsthand the life of Jesus and witnessed the signs that confirmed the prophecies about the Messiah. In 2 Peter 2, Peter warns people to expect that there are and will be false teachers who distort the truth with made-up stories. They will make light of sin and entertain themselves with the things of the world. Now in 2 Peter 3, Peter is reminding the church to stand firm in the gospel and to not forget the words previously spoken by the holy prophets and the apostles. Jesus will one day return!

Peter tells us that scoffers will come (v. 3). We should not be surprised when people mock our beliefs and the faith that we profess. Jesus himself promised us that in this world we will have trouble (John 16:33). But ultimately Jesus wins, and anyone who sides with Him also wins. We are living for something so much bigger than ourselves. Because of that, we can have strength for today and hope for tomorrow. The Lord will keep His promise to return, but He is patient, “not wanting any to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (v. 9).

This passage reflects God’s heart for the world and for all people to be reconciled into right 

relationship with Him. It points to the hope we have that Jesus will one day come to claim us. 

Until then, we should stand firm in truth and urgently share this good news with others!

Are you living your life in a manner that reflects your belief that Jesus is coming back? Let this be a reminder to us to “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23 ESV). We know how the story ends. Jesus is coming back and that is good news for us today!

Questions

  1. How can you live differently today knowing that Jesus will one day return?
  2. How do you respond when people ridicule the faith that you have in Christ?
  3. Who can you share your hope in Jesus with today? Go and tell them!

A Quote

“The end will come with the return of Jesus Christ…That is why a Christian can be an optimist. That is why a Christian can smile in the midst of all that is happening…We know what the end will be: The triumph of the Lord Jesus Christ!”–Billy Graham

Leave a Comment Below

Did you learn something today? Share it with our Bible Reading Plan community by commenting below.

Join the Team

Interested in writing for the Bible Reading Plan? Email hello@biblereadingplan.org.

7 thoughts on “2 Peter 3”

  1. One of Satan’s best tools he uses to lead us astray is living only for the here & now. Our crowded lives leave little room for the eternal and what truly matters. It’s a subtle drift into “good” things neglecting “greater” disciplines that prepare us for this life and the one to come. Peter emphatically lays it out that the day of the Lord IS coming! Time is short and we have much work to do. Take a good look at where you spend your moments & money. Matthew 6:21 reminds us “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” We won’t ever casually drift into righteousness, we must train our minds and hearts with the Word of God, then commit to following it. Let’s remember it is alive & active; it is sharp and penetrates into our very being (Hebrews 4:12). Let’s chose to treasure God’s perfect word to motivate and prepare us for this one life we’ve been given. Praying for everyone that reads these divinely inspired words to press on to the upward call of Christ Jesus.

  2. The hope of His return, anticipation, excitement but we also have a purpose or job to do. Even now in this “Bible belt” people need to hear about our GPS (God’s plan of salvation.) .
    God thank You for strengthen me by Your mighty power in my innermost being by Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for knowing that I know really, truly, knowing the love of Christ so much that I overflow with that love and it shows in all I say, how I act, and what I do every minute of every day to give You God the glory and honor in Jesus name amen.
    WOOHOO!!¡

  3. My Son-in-law attended his first funeral of a man who was not a believer in Christ. I think it made a bigger impact on him than leaving a life of faith. What a sad, empty legacy to leave behind. I remember my dad saying those were always the hardest funerals to do.
    When I read about Jesus coming, it’s very exciting and joyful! 🥳🙌🏻 I hope I’m alive to hear the trumpets sound, and see Jesus coming after us!

    ‘There’ll be no sorrows there
    No more burdens to bear
    No more sickness and no more pain
    No more parting over there
    But forever I will be
    With the one who died for me
    What a day, glorious day that will be!’
    This passage should leave you with joy and hope and full excitement for anticipation! It should jump start your witness game!!
    As I told my students who admitted they didn’t believe in God, “one day you will —why wait until it’s too late?”

  4. Greetings fellow Bible Plan readers. It is always so reassuring to know so many brothers and sisters in Christ are in the same word daily. Wow!!!!

    Thank you to the comments offered up each day. Your comments from the heart about the message of the day do not go unnoticed and are appreciated. Keep it up.

    I am posting today because of a “Godincidence” I just experienced. It has been on my heart lately to tune into a Billy Graham sermon. I have always heard what a powerful speaker he was in the Spirit, but I just never listened.

    Today while doing some yard work I randomly selected one of the Billy Graham Classic sermons from YouTube. There are a host of available options.

    As he began, he immediately went into the scripture of 2 Peter Chapter 3. I was floored as I had just read today’s reading a few hours earlier.

    Rev Graham’s message was from 1969. However, besides the reference to Walter Cronkite, he could have been speaking today.

    I too will now wake each day asking, “Is this the day my Jesus returns?” How amazing that day will be.

    May God bless you all and use you mightily!

      1. Thank you, for that “Godincidence”! That’s pretty powerful stuff right there! 🙌🏻 I’m taking a listen!

Leave a Reply to John White Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published.