2 Peter 3

2 Peter 3:8-12

The apostle, dreaming towards the conclusion of his second epistle, begins this lust chapter of it with repeating the account of his design and scope in writing a second time to them, vers. 1, 2. 3. He proceeds to mention one thing that induced him to write this second epistle, namely, the coming of singers, whom he describes, vers. 7-7. 3. He instructs and establishes them in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to judgment, vers. 8, 9, 10. 4. He sets forth the use and improvement which Christians ought to make of Christ’s second coming, and that dislocation and renovation of things, which will accompany that solemn coming of our Lord, vers. 11-18.

1. THIS second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I fit up your pure minds by way of remembrance: a. That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: b. Knowing this lust, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4. And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fall asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water, and in the water. 6. Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished. 7. But the heavens and the earth which are now, by the same word are large in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment, and perdition of ungodly men.

2. 1-7. The apostle sets forth his design of writing both these epistles. This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance, that you may be guarded against the acts of decerners, and that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandments of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour, who, in perfect conformity with the indignant yearners of the old scriptures, as in other things, so particularly with regard to the coming of the Lord to judgment, have forewarned and admonished you. Knowing this lust, that there shall come in the last days scoffers at revelation, and all its glorious and distinguishing doctrines; walking after their own lusts, given up to sensuality and bruised appetites; and with daring indelity, and distance of the divine declarations, saying, Where is the promise of his coming, so much talked of! when is this Jesus of Nazareth to come and take vengeance on his enemies, and to destroy the world? for since the fathers fall asleep (say they) during so many hundred years, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. Thus they vainly argue, and, because judgment is not speedily executed upon the workers of iniquity, they would conclude that there is nothing to be feared. For, though the scripture affirms them that God hath already eminently manifested his righteous wrath by the general destruction of an ungodly world, this day willingly and wilfully are ignorant of, that the heavens were of old created by the almighty word, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water, rising from the abyss of waters which covered it at the hilt, unaltered full by this element and compacted together, and surrounded with waters above, and full of water in its bowels; whereby the world that then was, being overflowed at the general deluge, perished, and the scoffers of that day met their righteous doom. But the heavens and the earth which are now, by the same almighty word are kept in store as creatures, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment, and perdition of ungodly men. And however the scoffers of this day may despise God’s warnings, yet the evident marks which still remain of what he hath done by the deluge, are speaking evidences of his power to fulfil a more terrible denunciation, when his fire shall descend, and a general conflagration ensue. A day, which will spread terror and dismay through an ungodly world, and too late convince those infidel-mokers, that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

3. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9. The Lord is not such concerning his promise (as some men come darkness) but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt

bp. Chapter III. 1st Pet. 1. 13 Or leading the coming. Pet. 1. 3. Ill. 2. 10.

up. 11. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be? in all holy conversation and godliness. 12. Looking for, and + haltering unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

The apostle having warned them against the feoffers, encourages the saints of God to expect them Lord’s second coming.

1. He will surely come. But, beloved, to not ignore any of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. Though we measure time by succession, to the eternal God the past, the present, and the future appear in one comprehensive view, and as nothing compared with his eternity. The Lord is not such concerning his promise (as some men count suchness) too impatient for his appearing, but is long-suffering to us word, not willing that any of his redeemed people should perish, but that all should come to repentance, called in due time to the acknowledgment of the truth, and saved by grace and when the number of his elect shall be accomplished, then he will hasten his kingdom, will come at the appointed period, and not tarry a moment longer. Note, (1.) The great design God hath in view is the salvation of his own people. (2.) The way in which any can meet the Lord with comfort is, by being converted and turned to him now by faith; the impenitent and unbelieving must assuredly perish.

2. He will come suddenly. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, with such a terrible surprise to an ungodly world; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, when nature in convulsions shall utter her inspiring groans, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, dissolved amidst the universal conflagration, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt up, and not a wreck remain of all its glorious structures.

3. What influence ought such an expectation to have upon us? Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness? How dead to the world, how loose to its enjoyment, how patient under the present momentary afflictions, how wholly engrossed with one great concern, to secure a part in that eternal world whither we are going, looking for, and hollowing unto the coming of the day of the Lord, keeping it abidingly in view, and living in a constant preparation for that solemn hour, when the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Note, It is the character of a disciple of Jesus, that he is ever looking for his Lord’s return as the glorious hope which animates him for every duty, and supports him under all his trials.

4. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwellers righteousness. 14. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless: 15. And account that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given unto him, hath written unto you; 16. As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which

they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures; unto their own destruction. 17. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. 18. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

2 Peter 3:18

We have before

1. The Christian’s expectations when this heaven and earth shall be dissolved. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for a new heaven and a new earth, wherein dwellers righteousness, even that blessed abode which Everlasting Love hath prepared for the redeemed from the earth, where nothing shall ever enter which delieth, and where our bliss and glory will be eternal.

2. He exhorts them, in the prospect of such an inheritance,

(1.) To be faithful in their holy profession. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent in the use of every appointed means of grace, and in all holy watchfulness, that ye may be found of him in peace, possessing a sure interest in his love, without spot of sin, and blameless in his presence at that great day. Note, They are truly late and happy for ever, whose consciences are now purged through the Saviour’s blood, and by the power of His grace.

(2.) Patiently to persevere, though the time should yet be distant. And account that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation, and that the reason of his delay is for the benefit of his people’s souls, that his elect may all be finally gathered in a town as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given unto him, hath written unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, of God’s long-suffering, and the coming of the Lord to judgment; in which doctrines are some things hard to be understood, being of a sublime and spiritual nature, which they that are unlearned and unstable, who are not distinctly taught of God, and whose principles are fluctuating and unsettled, wrest and dislote from their true meaning, as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction. Note, The more dangerous it is to be ignorant in the Scriptures, the more diligently should we search them, and pray God to enlighten our minds that we may be made wise unto salvation.

(3.) To beware of all deceivers. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, that Christ will surely come and take vengeance of the ungodly, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, by their flatteries and seductions, fall from your own steadfastness, and depart from the purity of that gospel, which you have hitherto so nobly maintained. Note, (1.) When deluding teachers are at work, we need be deeply on our guard. (2.) They who fall into erroneous principles, grow soon unsettled in their practice, and shew the burial influence of this poison.

(4.) To advance in the divine life. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, gaining a deeper and more experimental acquaintance with his love, a more unshaken dependence upon him, and an increase of every divine and spiritual disposition in consequence thereof.

3. He concludes with an adcription of praise to the Divine Redeemer. To him be glory both now and for ever. May every creature in heaven and earth unite in ceaseless worship, praise, and adoration to the great Immanuel! Amen!

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