II Peter Chapter 3
Peter’s concern in this last chapter is that the believer understands that there is hope, a sure hope that the Lord Jesus will return. In the last days there will come scoffers who will say that Jesus is not returning that we Christians are all trusting in a fairy tale. He wants us to remember what the Lord Himself told us through the prophets of the Old Testament and through the apostles that walked with Jesus.
Let's Reflect
1. What great event happened in the past that the scoffers overlook? In fact, scoffers today say it never even happened.
2. What judgment awaits the heavens and the earth? (By the way, I won’t be here for this judgment, and neither will you if you are a follower of Jesus Christ.)
3. I don’t know about you, but I am more than ready for the Lord to come back and take care of this old sinful earth. At the same time I am so happy that God is patient and has not yet come back. Verse 9 tells us why He hasn’t come back yet. Why is that?
4. Here is the hope that Peter wants to instill in us; that God is going to bring about a promise we are waiting for – new heavens and a new earth. Isn’t that wonderful? What does he say about the new heavens and new earth in verse 13?
Isaiah 65:17 For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.
Revelation 21:1-5 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
5. Twice Peter mentions how we should be living. First, we know that the Lord will judge this earth and the sinners living in it. And second, we know that God will keep His promise and create a new heaven and a new earth for us. In light of those two facts, how should the believer be living his or her life? See verse 11, 14, and 18
6. Peter mentions the teachings of Paul and how the false teachers were twisting the teachings of grace to mean that the believer could live any way they want because they are covered by God’s grace. What happens to believers who fall victim to this way of thinking?
7. We are admonished to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. How are you doing that?
