Scoffers in the last days
II Peter Lesson 7
2 Peter 3:1-9
return pages 6, 7 & 8 only
Scoffers in the last Days
When you pray for an unsaved loved one, how specific do you get? Do you
go as far as asking Christ to wait to rapture the church until after your loved
one has been saved? Do you witness with urgency because of Jesus'
imminent return? Do you know how to witness to those who scoff at the idea
of a rapture or of a new millennium ruled by Jesus Christ?
A Sure Thing
Can we Christians even be sure that Christ will come again? Peter,
along with the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament apostles,
said yes! Their affirmation comes in spite of the total rejection of the idea by
false teachers. Errorists scoff at the thought of Christ's return, for it would be
a miracle, and miracles are not a part of natural law. Why does God put up
with such skepticism? Peter answered this question and confronted the false
teachers' mockery.
Stirring Up the Mind
Peter had a pastor's heart. He intended to obey Christ's personal
command to him and to stir up the minds of his readers so that they-so that
we-would remember the truth that they (we) have received (2 Peter 3:1). It is
vital that we remember the truths of God's Word. A memory lapse of the truth
can result in serious difficulties for us. Christians who forget what God's Word
teaches often make poor choices in the decisions of life.
The first readers of Peter's letter had "pure minds" (2 Peter 3:1). Their
minds had not been tainted by the seductive influence of false doctrine. Our
minds are very important, for we discern the truth with our minds. Peter was
constrained to stir up the minds of believers so that they would not be
polluted doctrinally in their thinking (2 Peter 3:1). It is important that we both
know and remember God's Word during our pilgrimage through this world.
We simply cannot afford to be lazy in our study and our remembrance of the
truth.
2 Pet 3:3
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days
scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
(KJV)
Christians should be on the alert to the emergence of scoffers in these
last days. There is no cause for panic, for GOD's Word supplies us with the
answers to their skepticism.
Prophets and Apostles
The prophets and apostles were the human penmen whom God used to
provide us with His Word (2 Peter 3:2). The words of the text of Scripture are
God's Word in the first place (2 Timothy 3:16). With his reference to the
prophets and apostles as the human writers of Scripture (2 Peter 3:2), Peter
affirmed the inspiration of all the Scriptures. It is imperative that we know and
remember what is written in God's Word, since God has spoken!
Both the prophets and the apostles testified to Christ's second coming.
But false teachers raise the question of His return (2 Peter 3:4). Peter first
asserted the authority of God's Word; then he addressed the blatant denial of
false teachers. With his reference to the prophets and the apostles, he drew
together the testimony of both Testaments, showing the unity of thought in
the Bible. An understanding of both the Old and New Testaments is essential
to our full comprehension of God and His plan.
Scoffers Will Come
Believers must be alert to the presence of scoffers (2 Peter 3:3). Jude,
as well as Peter, warned believers of this serious threat (Jude 17,18).
Peter announced that these mockers would appear in the last days (2
Peter 3:3). "The last days" began with Christ's first advent (Hebrews 1:2) and
will conclude with Christ's second advent. One characteristic of these last
days is the opposition of false teachers to God's truth (2 Peter 3:3; 2 Timothy
3:1-7). These scoffers are the false teachers of 2 Peter 2.
While they deride God's Word, scoffers follow after their own lusts (2
Peter 3:3). They reject the teachings that contradict their beliefs and behavior.
Second Peter already provides us with sufficient information so that we can
identify the doctrine and character of these men and women. False teachers
are with us now in these last days. We must be on the alert!
Denial of the Promise
While living in self-indulgence, false teachers mock at the idea of
Christ's return. They are consumed by intellectual arrogance and sensuality.
It is no wonder that they oppose any suggestion of a future judgment. A day
of future accountability is inherent in the return of Christ (Isaiah 2:1-4; Jude
14-16).
The skeptics argue that the promise of Christ's second coming is
unreliable (2 Peter 3:4). They ask why He has not returned by now. Their
question is followed by the reason for their skepticism. They believe that the
universe operates by natural law, which has been in operation since the
beginning. "Natural law cannot be violated," they reason; "therefore it is
impossible for a miracle to occur. For a miracle would be a violation of the
natural order of things. Christ's return to earth would be a miracle. Since there
is no possibility for a miracle to occur, we must reject the second advent of
Christ."
Underlying this view of natural law is the scoffers' rejection of a
sovereign God Who created and controls the operation of the universe.
Therefore they not only deny Christ's return and a future judgment, but they
also reject the existence of the God of the Bible. They are not irreligious,
however, for they do worship the creation (Romans 1:21-23).
Willful Ignorance
Peter responded directly to the underlying reason for the scoffers'
question, then he gave his answer to the question (2 Peter 3:4-7). The
underlying reason for their skepticism is their deliberate choice to reject God's
Word (v. 5). They have chosen to reject the idea that God has a relationship
to or with this world. Peter provided four subjects about which skeptics are
willfully ignorant: the Creation, the Flood, the present world, and the judgment
of fire.
The Creation
First, Peter described the heavens and the earth after the dry land
appeared on the third day of the creation week (Genesis 1:9, 10). This
particular creative act is an example of all of God's creative activity
accomplished by His authoritative decree and power (v. 9; Psalm 33:6). God
called all things into existence, including the laws of nature. Natural law,
therefore, cannot be used to explain how this physical universe came into
existence. The origin of all things is God, not natural law-a fact that scoffers
willfully ignore.
The Flood
Second, Peter referred to the inundation of the earth by the waters of
the universal Flood (Genesis 7:11-24). While the Flood was a divine judgment
on men (6:5- 7), an interruption of the operation of the laws of nature took
place in the pre-Flood world. Since God has intervened in the affairs of the
word by judgment once, disrupting the laws of nature, He can certainly do so
again. He will do so again when Christ returns! Another fact that the skeptics
willfully discount.
The Present World
Third--distinguishing between the present world, which is "now" (2 Peter
3:7), and the pre-Flood world, which is the world that then was" (v. 6)-Peter
pointed out that there has been a uniformity in the operation of the laws of
nature in the present world. God promised to maintain the agricultural cycle,
climatic changes, annual seasons, and the cycle of day and night for this
present world (Genesis 8:22).
God will maintain the operation of these present processes in nature
until the future judgment, which is still another fact that mockers deny.
Assurance of this fact, of this continuation of the present processes, is found
in Peter's first statement in verse 7: "But the heavens and the earth, which are
now, by the same word are kept in store."
The "word" is God's authoritative word by which the universe was
created (v. 5). God will bring all things to a climax in fulfillment of His own
purpose in HIS own time. This is as fixed as the Day of Judgment for ungodly
men (v. 7).
The Judgment of Fire
God is in control of all things. Someday He will judge ungodly men (2
Peter 3:7). False teachers and their followers react negatively to this divine
intervention in the affairs of men, because reacting positively to it would bring
them into accountability. As far as those who live in error are concerned,
there is no coming judgment. They, therefore, reject the doctrine of Christ's
return. For this rejection, they bring the righteous judgment of God upon their
own heads (2:1).
God and Time
Obviously, time has value to God. Even though He is above time and is
not controlled by it, He works within time to accomplish His purpose.
We find God's perspective on days and years in Psalm 90:4. His
dwelling place throughout all generations is outside time. For this reason, a
day might as well be a thousand years and a thousand years as brief as one
day. Peter reminded us that God is timeless!
God's Desire
God is not as slow in fulfilling His promises as some men might think (2
Peter 3:9). Peter wrote in his first letter that the end of all things is near (I
Peter 4:7). The flaw in misjudging God resides in the minds of those who
think about God from a human perspective. Men simply cannot measure
God's activities on their own time scale. When they try, the result is a total
misrepresentation of God.
Neither is God slow in fulfilling His purposes in the world (2 Peter 3:9).
The seeming delay in Christ's return is due to God's long-suffering. God is
patient with men (Exodus 34:6; Romans 9:22).
God is long-suffering because He desires that all men be saved (2
Peter 3:9). This is God's "desirative" will (1 Timothy 2:4). He has not decreed
the salvation of all human beings, but He desires all people to turn to Him in
repentance and faith. God is always ready to show His mercy to all (Romans
11:32).
God's long-suffering does not mean that all men will be saved. God has
determined that He will judge the ungodly (2 Peter 3:7). Christ's death is
sufficient to save all (John 3:16), yet only those who believe will be saved
(5:24). God's patience awaits those who will respond to the gospel by faith.
Believers must use the time to witness to the unsaved.
2 Peter 3:1-9
return pages 6, 7 & 8 only
Scoffers in the last Days
When you pray for an unsaved loved one, how specific do you get? Do you
go as far as asking Christ to wait to rapture the church until after your loved
one has been saved? Do you witness with urgency because of Jesus'
imminent return? Do you know how to witness to those who scoff at the idea
of a rapture or of a new millennium ruled by Jesus Christ?
A Sure Thing
Can we Christians even be sure that Christ will come again? Peter,
along with the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament apostles,
said yes! Their affirmation comes in spite of the total rejection of the idea by
false teachers. Errorists scoff at the thought of Christ's return, for it would be
a miracle, and miracles are not a part of natural law. Why does God put up
with such skepticism? Peter answered this question and confronted the false
teachers' mockery.
Stirring Up the Mind
Peter had a pastor's heart. He intended to obey Christ's personal
command to him and to stir up the minds of his readers so that they-so that
we-would remember the truth that they (we) have received (2 Peter 3:1). It is
vital that we remember the truths of God's Word. A memory lapse of the truth
can result in serious difficulties for us. Christians who forget what God's Word
teaches often make poor choices in the decisions of life.
The first readers of Peter's letter had "pure minds" (2 Peter 3:1). Their
minds had not been tainted by the seductive influence of false doctrine. Our
minds are very important, for we discern the truth with our minds. Peter was
constrained to stir up the minds of believers so that they would not be
polluted doctrinally in their thinking (2 Peter 3:1). It is important that we both
know and remember God's Word during our pilgrimage through this world.
We simply cannot afford to be lazy in our study and our remembrance of the
truth.
2 Pet 3:3
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days
scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
(KJV)
Christians should be on the alert to the emergence of scoffers in these
last days. There is no cause for panic, for GOD's Word supplies us with the
answers to their skepticism.
Prophets and Apostles
The prophets and apostles were the human penmen whom God used to
provide us with His Word (2 Peter 3:2). The words of the text of Scripture are
God's Word in the first place (2 Timothy 3:16). With his reference to the
prophets and apostles as the human writers of Scripture (2 Peter 3:2), Peter
affirmed the inspiration of all the Scriptures. It is imperative that we know and
remember what is written in God's Word, since God has spoken!
Both the prophets and the apostles testified to Christ's second coming.
But false teachers raise the question of His return (2 Peter 3:4). Peter first
asserted the authority of God's Word; then he addressed the blatant denial of
false teachers. With his reference to the prophets and the apostles, he drew
together the testimony of both Testaments, showing the unity of thought in
the Bible. An understanding of both the Old and New Testaments is essential
to our full comprehension of God and His plan.
Scoffers Will Come
Believers must be alert to the presence of scoffers (2 Peter 3:3). Jude,
as well as Peter, warned believers of this serious threat (Jude 17,18).
Peter announced that these mockers would appear in the last days (2
Peter 3:3). "The last days" began with Christ's first advent (Hebrews 1:2) and
will conclude with Christ's second advent. One characteristic of these last
days is the opposition of false teachers to God's truth (2 Peter 3:3; 2 Timothy
3:1-7). These scoffers are the false teachers of 2 Peter 2.
While they deride God's Word, scoffers follow after their own lusts (2
Peter 3:3). They reject the teachings that contradict their beliefs and behavior.
Second Peter already provides us with sufficient information so that we can
identify the doctrine and character of these men and women. False teachers
are with us now in these last days. We must be on the alert!
Denial of the Promise
While living in self-indulgence, false teachers mock at the idea of
Christ's return. They are consumed by intellectual arrogance and sensuality.
It is no wonder that they oppose any suggestion of a future judgment. A day
of future accountability is inherent in the return of Christ (Isaiah 2:1-4; Jude
14-16).
The skeptics argue that the promise of Christ's second coming is
unreliable (2 Peter 3:4). They ask why He has not returned by now. Their
question is followed by the reason for their skepticism. They believe that the
universe operates by natural law, which has been in operation since the
beginning. "Natural law cannot be violated," they reason; "therefore it is
impossible for a miracle to occur. For a miracle would be a violation of the
natural order of things. Christ's return to earth would be a miracle. Since there
is no possibility for a miracle to occur, we must reject the second advent of
Christ."
Underlying this view of natural law is the scoffers' rejection of a
sovereign God Who created and controls the operation of the universe.
Therefore they not only deny Christ's return and a future judgment, but they
also reject the existence of the God of the Bible. They are not irreligious,
however, for they do worship the creation (Romans 1:21-23).
Willful Ignorance
Peter responded directly to the underlying reason for the scoffers'
question, then he gave his answer to the question (2 Peter 3:4-7). The
underlying reason for their skepticism is their deliberate choice to reject God's
Word (v. 5). They have chosen to reject the idea that God has a relationship
to or with this world. Peter provided four subjects about which skeptics are
willfully ignorant: the Creation, the Flood, the present world, and the judgment
of fire.
The Creation
First, Peter described the heavens and the earth after the dry land
appeared on the third day of the creation week (Genesis 1:9, 10). This
particular creative act is an example of all of God's creative activity
accomplished by His authoritative decree and power (v. 9; Psalm 33:6). God
called all things into existence, including the laws of nature. Natural law,
therefore, cannot be used to explain how this physical universe came into
existence. The origin of all things is God, not natural law-a fact that scoffers
willfully ignore.
The Flood
Second, Peter referred to the inundation of the earth by the waters of
the universal Flood (Genesis 7:11-24). While the Flood was a divine judgment
on men (6:5- 7), an interruption of the operation of the laws of nature took
place in the pre-Flood world. Since God has intervened in the affairs of the
word by judgment once, disrupting the laws of nature, He can certainly do so
again. He will do so again when Christ returns! Another fact that the skeptics
willfully discount.
The Present World
Third--distinguishing between the present world, which is "now" (2 Peter
3:7), and the pre-Flood world, which is the world that then was" (v. 6)-Peter
pointed out that there has been a uniformity in the operation of the laws of
nature in the present world. God promised to maintain the agricultural cycle,
climatic changes, annual seasons, and the cycle of day and night for this
present world (Genesis 8:22).
God will maintain the operation of these present processes in nature
until the future judgment, which is still another fact that mockers deny.
Assurance of this fact, of this continuation of the present processes, is found
in Peter's first statement in verse 7: "But the heavens and the earth, which are
now, by the same word are kept in store."
The "word" is God's authoritative word by which the universe was
created (v. 5). God will bring all things to a climax in fulfillment of His own
purpose in HIS own time. This is as fixed as the Day of Judgment for ungodly
men (v. 7).
The Judgment of Fire
God is in control of all things. Someday He will judge ungodly men (2
Peter 3:7). False teachers and their followers react negatively to this divine
intervention in the affairs of men, because reacting positively to it would bring
them into accountability. As far as those who live in error are concerned,
there is no coming judgment. They, therefore, reject the doctrine of Christ's
return. For this rejection, they bring the righteous judgment of God upon their
own heads (2:1).
God and Time
Obviously, time has value to God. Even though He is above time and is
not controlled by it, He works within time to accomplish His purpose.
We find God's perspective on days and years in Psalm 90:4. His
dwelling place throughout all generations is outside time. For this reason, a
day might as well be a thousand years and a thousand years as brief as one
day. Peter reminded us that God is timeless!
God's Desire
God is not as slow in fulfilling His promises as some men might think (2
Peter 3:9). Peter wrote in his first letter that the end of all things is near (I
Peter 4:7). The flaw in misjudging God resides in the minds of those who
think about God from a human perspective. Men simply cannot measure
God's activities on their own time scale. When they try, the result is a total
misrepresentation of God.
Neither is God slow in fulfilling His purposes in the world (2 Peter 3:9).
The seeming delay in Christ's return is due to God's long-suffering. God is
patient with men (Exodus 34:6; Romans 9:22).
God is long-suffering because He desires that all men be saved (2
Peter 3:9). This is God's "desirative" will (1 Timothy 2:4). He has not decreed
the salvation of all human beings, but He desires all people to turn to Him in
repentance and faith. God is always ready to show His mercy to all (Romans
11:32).
God's long-suffering does not mean that all men will be saved. God has
determined that He will judge the ungodly (2 Peter 3:7). Christ's death is
sufficient to save all (John 3:16), yet only those who believe will be saved
(5:24). God's patience awaits those who will respond to the gospel by faith.
Believers must use the time to witness to the unsaved.