In II Peter 3, the apostle Peter addresses the presence of scoffers who mock the promise of Christ's return, branding them with immorality and wickedness as they walk after their own lusts. These mockers question, "Where is the promise of His coming?" yet Peter refutes their doubts by denying the notion that all things continue unchanged since creation. He asserts that the apparent delay in fulfillment is not a sign of failure but reflects God's eternal perspective, where everything, however distant, is present in His plan. Peter wrote this second letter to awaken and arouse believers, emphasizing the need to remain vigilant against spiritual lethargy. He highlights the unity of God's Word, showing that prophets, Jesus Christ, and the apostles all speak with one voice about the coming Day of the Lord, a time of judgment culminating in Christ's return in glory and victory. In II Peter 3:12, Peter describes the day of God as a period when God's people will enjoy new heavens and a new earth after all evil has been judged. Addressing the scoffers' arguments, Peter cites historical interventions by God, such as the creation and Noah's flood, to prove God's power to act in history as detailed in II Peter 3:5-6. He notes that the same Word that created and sustains the world now holds it together, stored with fire for a future day of judgment as mentioned in II Peter 2:7. Peter also counters the scoffers' ignorance of God's mercy, explaining in II Peter 3:9 that God delays Christ's return to give sinners opportunity for repentance, a change of mind leading to salvation through faith in Christ. Peter reaffirms the certainty of the Day of the Lord, describing it in II Peter 3:10 as coming like a thief in the night with cosmic destruction, where the heavens will dissolve with a great noise and the elements will melt with fervent heat. This day, rooted in Old Testament prophecy, signifies universal upheaval beyond human comprehension. Throughout II Peter, Peter defends the entirety of God's Word, uniting Old and New Testament teachings to underscore the certainty of Christ's return and the transformative hope it brings for believers.

The Book of II Peter carries a profound emphasis on diligence in the Christian life, particularly in light of Christ's promised return. Peter concludes his second letter with practical admonitions, urging believers to be diligent, as highlighted in the closing paragraphs of II Peter 3. He stresses the importance of living godly lives with consistent effort, noting that diligence requires active faith, for faith without works is dead. Believers must strive to live righteously every moment, relying on God's Holy Spirit to sustain them. Peter also connects an expectant attitude toward Christ's return with holy conduct, encouraging Christians to eagerly await the coming day of God, as mentioned in II Peter 3:12. This day refers to the period when God's people will dwell in new heavens and a new earth, free from evil. He suggests that believers can hasten this day through obedience and living in the light of God's promises, rather than being deterred by apparent delays, for with the Lord, a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day. Furthermore, Peter warns against false teachers who twist the Scriptures, as noted in II Peter 3:16, leading to their own destruction. He classifies such distortions as a perversion of truth, urging believers to guard against being led astray by the error of lawless men and to maintain steadfastness in the truth. This steadfastness comes from faith in God's Word and its practical application in daily life. Peter's final admonitions in II Peter 3:18 call for spiritual growth in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that growth must be constant, not sporadic, and involves developing character traits through God's unmerited favor. This growth balances grace and knowledge, ensuring that believers do not merely know the Scriptures but also live them, becoming more like Christ. Such diligence in spiritual development glorifies God and prepares believers to meet Christ in peace upon His return.

The Book of II Peter, particularly in chapter 3, offers invaluable guidance for maintaining the right perspective on the return of Jesus Christ and its timing. The apostle Peter reminds believers of the extensive teachings of prophets and apostles regarding the end times, emphasizing that a significant portion of God's Word addresses this topic. He counters the prevailing skepticism that life simply continues unchanged, addressing the scoffing at the notion of the Creator's intervention in human affairs. Peter points out that God's Word is replete with examples of His intervention, bolstering the faith of those who remain steadfast against such doubts. Peter provides a powerful example of God's judgment through past cataclysms, noting that scoffers willfully ignore biblical accounts of creation and destruction by flood. He highlights that these individuals are aware of the scriptures yet choose to disregard them to avoid accountability to God. Whether referring to the Flood of Noah or an earlier destruction, Peter underscores that by God's Word, worlds were created and destroyed, and the current heavens and earth are reserved for a future judgment by fire, where the ungodly will face destruction. Addressing the difference in perspective on time, Peter teaches that human understanding is limited compared to God's eternal view. What seems like a delay in Christ's return is, in fact, an expression of His longsuffering, providing ample time for repentance and complete transformation into His image. This delay is a blessing, ensuring believers have the opportunity to fully turn their hearts to Him before the end comes. Peter describes the coming end as a surprise to the world, with the current heavens and earth destined to be burned up in God's judgment, replaced by new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells. He challenges believers to consider what manner of persons they ought to be in holy conduct and godliness, given the transient nature of this world and the eternal significance of their response to God. In his conclusion, Peter counsels believers to be at peace with the Lord upon His return, emphasizing the importance of trust in God to avoid enmity. He warns against misusing the scriptures and being deceived, urging a focus on growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Peter affirms that Jesus is not delaying His coming but is giving time for believers to prepare, so they may respond correctly to the work He has begun in them.

In II Peter 3, the apostle Peter addresses the skepticism surrounding the return of Jesus Christ, emphasizing that scoffers deny the promise of His second coming. He warns that just as God once destroyed the earth with water during the Flood, He will one day destroy it with fire. Peter counters the scoffers' arguments that the delay in Christ's return means it will never happen, explaining that the world is not stable, as evidenced by past destruction, and a future destruction by fire is certain. He further clarifies that God's apparent slowness is not negligence but mercy, allowing time for repentance, as one day with the Lord is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. Peter stresses the sudden and terrifying nature of the second coming, describing it as a day when the universe will dissolve in melting heat. He urges believers to live holy and godly lives in preparation for this event, viewing the second coming as a motive for correcting character flaws. He portrays the Day of the Lord as a universal upheaval, drawing from Old Testament imagery of fire and destruction, and asserts that God, who created all things, has the power to end them. Additionally, Peter notes that the current heavens and earth are reserved for fire until the day of judgment for the ungodly, yet God's patience offers an opportunity for salvation. He connects the Old Testament promise of God's patience with the New Testament assurance of Christ's return, reinforcing that the Lord is not slow in keeping His promise. Peter also looks forward to a New Heaven and a New Earth where righteousness dwells, encouraging believers to live in anticipation of this renewal through holy conduct and godliness.

The Book of II Peter, in alignment with warnings from other scriptures, addresses the presence and danger of false prophets within the church. It emphasizes that both Peter, along with John and Jesus Christ, specifically caution church members about these deceptive figures. False prophets are defined not merely as those who predict the future, but as individuals who speak falsely on behalf of another, often misrepresenting God or speaking for a different god, likely influenced by demonic forces. Their messages do not align with God's law and testimony, failing to convict people of sin and instead promoting paths contrary to God's will. The Book of II Peter underscores the importance of recognizing these false prophets by their fruits, as their true nature is revealed through the overall impact of their actions and teachings, despite any clever words or partial truths they may present.

In the last chapter of II Peter, the author provides insight into the prophetic sequence of events as the end approaches. This serves as a reminder and a summary to encourage right action, focusing on the time element of the last days. II Peter 3 draws a comparison between the attitudes before the flood in Noah's time and those expected in the last days, where scoffers will continue in sin, ignoring warnings until events unfold rapidly. The author emphasizes that God's perception of time differs vastly from human understanding, noting in II Peter 3:8 that one day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. This perspective highlights God's patience, allowing time for repentance before the inevitable judgment and destruction due to sin, as described in verse 10. In verse 12, the concept of the day of God is introduced, which, given the earlier mention of a day equating to a thousand years, suggests that God's day spans a millennium. This ties into the broader theme of God's rest, aligning with the thousand-year reign of Christ. The author connects these ideas to Psalm 90, written by Moses, which also speaks of judgment and the fleeting nature of human life, reinforcing the urgency and the call to wisdom that Peter echoes in II Peter 3. These passages collectively underscore the timing and the imminent return of Christ, framing the day of God as a significant period of divine rest and judgment.

The Book of II Peter, particularly chapter 2, bears a striking resemblance to the content and themes found in the Book of Jude. Both epistles address the pressing issue of false teachers within the church, likely written around the same period, between 66 and 68 AD, before Peter's death. While they cover similar ground on the surface, each brings out distinct nuances regarding the nature and impact of these false teachers. Studying them together provides a broader perspective, yet examining them separately reveals unique details that equip believers to better identify and confront such deceptive influences. Their shared focus on warning against corruption within the church underscores the urgency of maintaining the purity of the faith once delivered to the saints.

The Book of II Peter carries profound relevance for those living in times of moral decline, mirroring the violent and sinful era before the Flood as described in Genesis 6. Written by Peter around AD 60, II Peter 3 serves as an encouragement to believers enduring periods of intense societal corruption, reminding them that God, by His grace, grants the power to resist the pervasive inclination to sin. Peter urges the faithful to remain steadfast, warning against the discouragement and temptation to join in the evil that surrounds them, as God has already intervened in their lives with strength and belief to withstand the worst of these influences. In II Peter 2, Peter vividly recalls that God did not spare the ancient world, fulfilling His warning through Noah despite the people's disregard. This historical judgment stands as a stark reminder that God's declarations come to pass exactly as He states. Addressing the present, Peter notes the skepticism among many who live fulfilling their lusts, ignoring the imminence of Christ's return. They continue their lives unchanged, reasoning that since He has not yet come, there is no urgency, yet Peter emphasizes that such reasoning does not alter God's timing or purpose. The faithful are called to live by faith, maintaining commitment amidst a world that only seems stable due to the brevity of human life, and to guard against complacency, actively working to build a relationship with God through time, energy, study, prayer, and self-control.