The Apostle Peter warns us that there were scoffers in the first century church and there are scoffers even today. These scoffers are heretics whose teaching differ from our accepted belief or doctrine. II Peter 3:1-9 may be outlined as follows: I. The Skepticism of Scoffers – II Peter 3:1-7; II. God’s Offer of Salvation – II Peter 3:8-9.
I. The Skepticism of Scoffers – II Peter 3:1-7
In verses 1-2, Peter’s aim in writing this second epistle was to stimulate the believers to wholesome thinking and to remind them of their need to remember (II Peter 1:12-15). “Remembrance” is a key word of this epistle. He wanted these believers to remember God’s Word. He pointed these believers back to the O.T. prophets and the N.T. apostles – the entire Word of God. He wanted the believers to recall the writings of both Testaments regarding the Lord’s return.
Beginning in verse 3, Peter advances that scoffers will come in the last days. The expression “last days” refers to the period of time between the Lord’s First and Second Advent. The church age is situated between the First and Second Advent of Christ. These scoffers who have appeared during the last days are false teachers who deny Christ (II Peter 2:1) and His soon return (II Peter 3:4). These scoffers abound following their own evil desires. Their disdain on the idea of judgment led to sexual perversion. Remember the principle we have already advanced: “loose teaching leads to loose living.”
In verse 4, these scoffers deny the Second Coming of Christ by raising this piercing question: “Where is the promise of His Coming?” The scoffers argue that “since the fathers (Old Testament patriarchs) have fallen asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” The scoffers believe that the earth will continue to exist unchanged; therefore, they have nothing to fear. They were not fearful of God’s judgment and they denied His Second Coming! The scoffers who denied or rejected Christ’s return, insisting that all things continued as they had from the beginning, were demonstrating a willful or deliberate ignorance of God’s past intervention in history.
God’s creation reveals that all things are not as they have always been. God created the heavens and the earth by His spoken word (v. 5). In verse 6, the judgment of flood in Noah’s day proved unmistakably that He has intervened in history! Peter reveals in verse 7 that the present heavens and earth are likewise awaiting Divine intervention in judgment. When the world is destroyed the second time, it will not be with water, but with fire! It will be a day of judgment, bringing the final destruction of ungodly men!
Having discussed I. The Skepticism of Scoffers – II Peter 3:1-7, let us now observe II. God’s Offer of Salvation – II Peter 3:8-9.
II. God’s Offer of Salvation – II Peter 3:8-9
In verse 8, since God does not measure time as we do, we should not be greatly concerned when events do not happen as quickly as we might exact. God’s timetable is different from ours. The idea that one day with the Lord is like a thousand years reminds us that it is as if only two days have passed on God’s calendar since Jesus was on earth!
In verse 9, we can trust God because He is not slack (tardy) concerning His promises. He kept His word by bringing judgment on the world in Noah’s day; He will also keep His word concerning His return. Peter reveals that God’s long-suffering or patience toward mankind is a primary reason for His decision not to bring immediate judgment upon sinners. In spite of mankind’s sinfulness, God continues to extend His love by offering salvation.
Yes, I thank God for His undue patience toward us, for the Psalmist asked – “If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?” Without God’s patience, we would all be consumed by His wrath! Habakkuk expressed it this way – “In wrath remember mercy.” I am glad “in wrath He remembers mercy.” Thank God for His mercy, for Psalm 118:1 says: “O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: because His mercy endureth forever.”
May God Bless!
Dr. Johnny Calvin Smith
